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Mexico City Creates Single-Command Security Unit for Centro Histórico

City officials say the change will speed response times, cut overlapping duties, boost visible foot patrols and better use the area's surveillance system to protect residents and visitors.

Overview

  • The city formally presented the Unidad de Protección Ciudadana (UPC) Centro Histórico on May 27, 2026, consolidating the former Centro and Alameda sectors under one operational command.
  • Authorities assigned 686 officers, 45 patrol vehicles and 20 geographic quadrants to the UPC to expand territorial presence across roughly five square kilometers of the historic core.
  • Officials named an inspector in chief Amaro López to lead the unit, though reports use two versions of his name—Luis Amaro López and Juan Luis Amaro López—creating a minor discrepancy in public accounts.
  • The UPC emphasizes police-of-proximity tactics with foot patrols and fluorescent yellow jackets for quick public ID, and its operations will be supported by the zone's roughly 7,000 C5 cameras.
  • City leaders framed the UPC as the next step in a multi-year safety push that they say cut high-impact crimes about 80% from 2018–2025 and could improve merchant and visitor confidence while tightening coordination with agencies such as the Fiscalía and Secretaría de Gobierno.