“Is Mexico City safe?” It’s a frequently asked question about Mexico’s capital city.

“Mexico City is one of the safest large cities in the world,” says Margot Lee Shetterly, president and founder of Mexico Meetings Network, who lived in Mexico City for three years and now lives within commuting distance.

Since the launch of the extensive C4 security system in October 2011, Mexico City’s crime rate is down 21.4 percent. Mexico City is now the No. 1 city in the country in crime reduction, and has lower crime rates than cities such as Chicago, New York, New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro.

The C4 system — the most modern complex of its kind in the world — includes more than 15,000 cameras installed around the city, which are linked to a security bunker and monitored by more than 1,300 trained security officials.

The cameras on light posts have a button anyone can press to be connected with security personnel trained to handle problems. This network allows real-time responses to crises ranging from crime to natural disasters, medical emergencies and other issues affecting public safety. Mexico City’s mayor can be briefed on any relevant occurrence within five minutes. Over the next six years, the system will add another 5,000 security cameras.

“Mexico City took a page from the New York playbook. They focus on quality-of-life issues and rooting out the core problems that cause the security issues, and not just swatting flies,” Shetterly says.

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