Venezuelan Blimps: Fighting Crime

by Jordan Yerman | April 20, 2007 at 07:46 am

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In a bid to make the capital city of Caracas safer, officials have purhased three remote-controlled blimps, each equipped with a camera and wireless transmission equipment. These blimps will be remote-controlled from the ground, acting as extra sets of eyes for the overextended police force.

The 15 metre (49 foot) long air ships are emblazoned with government slogans. Written in bright red are the words: "We watch over you for your security."

Some might worry that this will be intrusive - a big brother in the skies, spying on people the government wants to watch.

But the man in charge of security in Caracas, Ramon Morales Rossi, played down that idea.

Obviously I think this is the right thing to do. But we need as much security on the ground as in the air

Caracas resident

"Our intention is to reduce criminal activity in the city, that's a big problem, something the presidency has recognised," he said.

"It's part of a plan - working with the people, better education, better police officers and better equipment for the police."

Security, or the lack of it, is a big concern for many here. Caracas is one of the most dangerous cities in Latin America.

The government has stopped publishing crime figures, but last year the UN said that per capita there were more deaths from guns than anywhere else in the world.