Security Camera Program

About nine months ago, we proudly launched a security camera program under a cooperation agreement between the Municipality of Santa Cruz, the Ministry of Public Security, and Coopeguanacaste. Unfortunately, the Municipality of Santa Cruz recently and unexpectedly withdrew from the agreement, leaving the project without the funding they had committed and forcing us to suspend the program. As a result, Santa Cruz is now the only county in Guanacaste without an active community security camera partnership.

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But we’re not giving up.

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Thanks to the joint efforts of ADI Flamingo and the Surfside POA, we reached out to both Coopeguanacaste and the Ministry of Public Security to find a way forward.

Our discussions have already brought progress:

• Coopeguanacaste and the Ministry of Public Security have signed a new cooperation agreement.

• Two monitoring centers are already operational in the Santa Cruz area, one in the city center and another near our communities.

• Coopeguanacaste will upgrade part of their existing camera network with advanced models made in the U.S., including AI-enabled cameras with high resolution and license plate recognition capabilities.

• Camera placement is handled strictly by the Ministry of Public Security, and monitoring is conducted exclusively by trained and certified law enforcement personnel—ensuring privacy and legal compliance.

• No private individuals or organizations have access to the camera footage or control of the system.

• Coopeguanacaste and the Ministry will also work closely with other agencies, such as OIJ and PCD, for targeted surveillance when necessary.

The only missing piece now is funding for the monthly operation and maintenance costs, which was previously covered by the Municipality. Each camera costs approximately ₡30,000–₡60,000 per month, depending on the technology used.
 

To move forward, we’re turning to you—our neighbors, residents, and local businesses. Coopeguanacaste has provided a simple solution: a voluntary contribution added to your electricity bill for a limited time (two years), which will directly fund the program.
 

If our communities—Brasilito, Flamingo, Surfside, Potrero, and nearby areas—can collectively raise ₡1,000,000 per month, we can install 20 to 24 high-quality security cameras from Playa Brasilito to Playa Prieta, including key intersections, beach accesses, and main routes like the Monkey Trail and the Tempate road.
 

We’ve already told the authorities: we’re ready to step up. Our safety and the well-being of our families, visitors, and businesses are worth the investment.
 

Join us in supporting this vital community security initiative.

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Together, we can make our neighborhoods safer, deter crime, and give peace of mind to everyone who lives in and visits our beautiful coastal towns.
 

➡️ To contribute, simply fill out this form (link TBD) and authorize the voluntary fee on your electric bill. Every donation counts—your support makes this project possible.

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Let’s protect what matters. Let’s make this happen.