Asunción Residents Denounce Security Camera Theft; Demand Police Action

Residents of the Virgen de la Asunción neighborhood in Paraguay's capital have expressed their frustration and fear following the brazen theft of two security cameras. The cameras, installed by the community members themselves to deter rising crime, were stolen in the early hours of Friday morning. The incident, which occurred around 2:30 AM at the intersection of Teniente Camperchioli and Capitán Emilio Ferreira streets, was ironically captured by the very devices before they were disabled.

Surveillance footage shared by the residents shows a suspect, described as being between 1.65 and 1.70 meters tall and wearing a white hooded jacket, black pants, and dark athletic shoes. The video reveals the suspect initially casing the area with another individual before approaching a concrete pole belonging to the National Electricity Administration (ANDE). The main perpetrator then climbed the pole and manually removed the two security cameras.

Edgar Fernando Brugada Torres, a local resident, stated that the security system in the area was installed five years ago specifically to combat frequent assaults and domestic robberies. Residents suspect that individuals known locally as 'chespis,' who are reportedly crack cocaine users, are responsible. They believe these individuals steal cables, light bulbs, and now cameras to sell them for meager sums on the black market.

The affected residents have formally reported the theft to the 12th Metropolitan Police Station. They have provided digital copies of the video evidence to the National Police, hoping that the thief, identified by the white jacket, can be apprehended using existing records of repeat offenders. The community is critical of local programs like SUMAR, stating they have not yielded tangible results in their neighborhoods. They also lamented the loss of direct communication channels that previously existed between residents and police officers, emphasizing their demand for greater police visibility and action.

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The system was installed five years ago precisely to combat constant assaults and domestic robberies.