Expats Respond to Burglaries in Yucatán With Smart Locks

Homeowners are increasingly interested in installing smart locks as security against home burglaries in Yucatán. It’s to prevent the “king of crimes” in these parts, according to Carlos Aguilar Cab, president of the United Locksmiths Cooperative of Yucatán.

Home burglary represents the second most frequent crime in Yucatán after street robbery, with authorities recording 2,023 home break-ins in 2022 — a rate of 83 burglaries per 100,000 inhabitants. Robbery cases increased 5% in 2024 to 510 total incidents, reinforcing security concerns among the growing international community.

Modern smart locks “include cameras and different access methods such as fingerprints, iris recognition, and mobile applications via Wi-Fi,” Aguilar explained at the 2nd Peninsular Locksmith Expo held at Metropolitan Technological University in Mérida.

The trend reflects broader changes in Latin America’s security technology market. Electronic security markets in Latin America show projected growth of 18.8% over recent years, with companies adopting integrated platforms that combine surveillance cameras, access control, and alarm systems.

New Residents Fear Burglaries in Yucatán

“It’s primarily people who come from other parts of the country to settle in Mérida who are most in demand for smart locks, but locals are also getting the buzz and buying the new technological locks,” Aguilar observed.

Thousands of expats now call Yucatán home, with foreign residents concentrated primarily in Mérida’s 3.5-square-mile Centro Histórico and expanding into northern neighborhoods like Col. Mexico, Campestre, and Montebello. Many arrive from countries where smart home technology adoption rates exceed those typically found in Mexico.

Smart locks cost between 3,000 and 40,000 pesos, Aguilar told Diario de Yucatán, while traditional deadbolt or bar locks offer effective protection at much lower costs. Traditional mechanical locks range from 200 to 350 pesos, plus 300 pesos for installation, meaning “for 600 or 700 pesos, you can protect your assets.”

“It’s very safe, very safe! And it’s at an affordable price, the ones that are mechanically operated, the ones that have to be keyed and don’t have Wi-Fi or anything,” the leading locksmith in Yucatán emphasized.

Despite the significant price difference, between 30 and 40% of Yucatecos are already replacing traditional locks with smart ones on their homes and businesses, Aguilar noted. Supply meets current demand, with special orders typically arriving within two days.

Smart locks offer keyless entry, remote access control, and activity monitoring through smartphone apps. Users can grant temporary access codes to guests, housekeepers, or maintenance workers without distributing physical keys. The technology appeals particularly to vacation rental owners and residents managing properties remotely.

Security Concerns Persist Despite Safety Rankings

Four out of 10 Yucatecos fear for their safety inside and outside their homes due to robbery risks, according to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi). State Attorney General’s Office data reveals an average of 13 robberies per day statewide, or one every two hours.

The statistics contrast with Yucatán’s reputation as Mexico’s safest state. Yucatán maintained its position as Mexico’s most peaceful state for the eighth consecutive year in 2024, while Mérida consistently ranks as the safest city in Mexico, with only 24.6% of residents reporting feeling unsafe, far below the national average of 58.6%.

Industry Coordination with Law Enforcement

The United Locksmiths Cooperative has established coordination with law enforcement to ensure legal certainty for locksmith services. “We work with the Single Registry of Locksmith Services, which allows us to offer vehicle opening and other services with legal certainty,” Aguilar said.

To date, no cases of misuse of locksmith services to facilitate theft have been reported. The cooperative works with the state government, Congress, and the Ministry of Public Security to ensure proper regulation of the industry.

Technology Integration Challenges

Less than 1% of security cameras installed in Latin America connect to cloud platforms, highlighting significant opportunities for modernization and innovation. This technological gap affects smart lock integration with broader home automation systems.

Installation companies report that foreign clients frequently request Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks compatible with international smartphone applications. However, some models require Mexican app store accounts and local credit cards for full functionality.

The Yucatán state government has invested heavily in surveillance infrastructure to maintain security standards. Mérida’s surveillance center now monitors over 6,700 cameras throughout the metropolitan area, representing a threefold increase from previous totals.

Market Growth Projections

Latin America’s smart home security market projects significant growth, driven partly by foreign resident demand and growing security consciousness among Mexican homeowners.

Security experts note that burglary prevention requires multiple approaches beyond electronic locks. Traditional measures include reinforced doors, window security films, adequate lighting, and neighborhood watch participation.

Mexico’s broader security market expects growth of 11.81% through 2029, reaching $527.1 million in market volume as disposable incomes rise and construction industry growth drives demand for residential and commercial security systems.

The convergence of domestic migrants and international residents seeking modern security technology, combined with growing acceptance among local Yucatecos, suggests continued growth in the electronic security sector. However, Aguilar emphasizes that “the important thing is above all home security and the need to adapt to new technologies without neglecting traditional methods that have proven effective.”

Even as Yucatán maintains its position as Mexico’s safest region, the demand for both traditional and smart security solutions reflects residents’ commitment to protecting their homes and businesses against the state’s most common property crime.

For more insights on electronic security trends in Latin America, visit Ricoh’s comprehensive market analysis.