MEXICO CITY -- Mexico City hopes to keep a sharper eye on crime by installing more than 8,000 surveillance cameras.
Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said he was inspired to take action after a camera installed outside a private university recorded the movements of several suspects in the Feb. 15 attempted bombing of a Mexico City police commander.
"The usefulness these cameras have for determining perpetrators, modus operandi and schedules has been underscored," Ebrard said.
The capital now has about 400 surveillance cameras, including about 300 installed on major roadways. Ebrard wants to expand that network to public schools, hotels, banks, embassies and other locations.
The new cameras should all be in place by 2011, Mexico City Police Chief Joel Ortega said.
Cities including New York, Washington D.C. and London have installed extensive anti-crime surveillance camera networks in recent years.
