The president of the Union of Private Security Companies, Mario Aguilar Becerril, emphasized that the existence of "fake" private security companies continues to be a challenge. Aguilar Becerril mentioned that the Citizen Security Secretariat has difficulties in identifying and stopping these companies, which represent unfair competition for local entrepreneurs.
"The pirates have always been an eternal problem for the last 20 years, but logically I believe that the Citizen Security Secretariat lacks personnel to check and visit where the pirate companies take refuge, which are usually in subdivisions and condominiums, as there they are not required to present documents, they are not given invoices, and logically this type of supposed entrepreneurs takes advantage of the citizenry, of the people who want to work and pay them what they want."
During 2024, they identified 50 suspicious companies and have tried to report 20 of them. These companies, as Aguilar Becerril points out, incur various violations of current regulations, such as low wages, abusive hours, hiring minors or migrants, and the lack of a tax address that makes reporting them difficult.
It is estimated that around 330 licensed private security companies operate in the state, which are harmed by the presence of these "pirate" companies that offer services at lower prices. Aguilar Becerril stressed that to establish a legitimate private security company in Querétaro, a significant investment is needed, around half a million pesos, to meet legal requirements and address the operational needs of the business.
Regarding the decrease in hiring private security services after restrictions imposed on nightclubs, bars, and restaurants in Querétaro, Aguilar Becerril mentioned that there has been a reduction in demand, not only due to the incident at the bar "Los Cantaritos," but also due to other events in the city that have affected the sector.
In relation to the fines imposed by the Citizen Security Secretariat on private security companies, Aguilar Becerril mentioned that they have faced difficulties due to the lack of submission of complete documents, which has resulted in fines of 14,500 pesos, as well as license renewals. They are in conversations with the Secretariat to resolve this situation that has impacted about 40 companies in the region.
