The Citizen Security and Justice Board in Quintana Roo has been operating a new emergency number, "802 MEX S.O.S.", since November 2024. The number's promotion began in February, three months after its launch. The board initially kept the number's existence quiet, as they needed to understand the challenges they might face before publicizing it widely. They wanted to avoid a situation where they received a large number of calls but were unable to respond effectively, leading to public dissatisfaction.
The emergency number handles a wide range of issues, including extortion, domestic abuse, and depression. The service is now gaining wider attention and has been used to assist between 20 and 25 people each month since its inception. The board is continually assessing its performance to identify areas of strength and potential improvement. In all cases, the board assures that the attention provided has been exceptional.
James Tobin Cunningham, the board's general coordinator, revealed that out of every ten complaints received, at least eight are related to domestic violence. The cases are followed up by police authorities and officials from the state attorney general's office. The team handling the calls consists of highly qualified lawyers and psychologists. Currently, the team comprises three people, but it is set to expand to five, ensuring they can adequately serve Cancun's population.
The emergency number model was first developed in Villas Otoch, which accounts for approximately 50% of the calls. The remaining 50% of calls come from other areas, including Tulum, Chetumal, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen.
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