Mexico City launches specialized center to speed up missing persons searches

Mexico City authorities launched a specialized search center to streamline the process of locating missing people in the capital.

The center brings together specialized prosecutors, police officers, and agents from the Commission for People for Disappeared Persons under one roof. This model aims to replace a previous system where families had to navigate multiple offices and deal with officers who handled various types of crimes, leading to bureaucratic delays and a lack of empathy.

The facility operates 24 hours a day and provides relatives with a dedicated space that includes rest areas, food, and a playroom for children. It features a room with eight large screens that allow families to view footage from one million security cameras in the city. Luis Gómez, a commissioner for Búsqueda in the capital, says the center provides immediate access to all necessary resources.

He claims that the unit locates 50% of missing people within the first 24 hours, which represents a 68% increase in resolved cases compared to 2024. The center also coordinates with seven other states in central Mexico to launch joint searches when a person is likely missing in those regions. This prevents families from having to travel without knowing where to file a report.

While the capital's model serves as a template for other regions, President Claudia Sheinbaum has also called for national efforts to digitize search files and expand a national DNA bank.