In light of the gap in resources and technology among municipalities, Esteban Díaz, director of the AMUCH Security Observatory, emphasizes the urgent need to establish minimum standards for police funding and coordination—key issues that the association will explore in greater depth during its participation in the international conference.

In recent years, municipalities have taken on an increasingly important role in ensuring security within their territories. What was once primarily associated with preventive measures now involves new responsibilities and a greater capacity to respond to the demands of communities.

This is the view of Esteban Díaz, director of the Security Observatory at the Association of Municipalities of Chile (AMUCH), the organization that will sponsor SeguridadExpo 2026 and lead a panel discussion addressing the main security challenges facing municipalities.

The event will take place on Thursday, September 10, at 3:00 p.m., as part of the trade show, and will feature prominent officials from the worlds of local government and community safety.

Díaz notes that the changing role of municipalities has highlighted the disparities that exist among them. In his view, these differences are reflected “especially in resources, technology, and specialized personnel. To reduce them, we need national minimum standards and funding mechanisms that ensure a community’s security does not depend exclusively on its economic capacity,” he notes.

For this reason, Díaz aims to strengthen municipal capacities to respond to new security demands. “We need more training for teams, better information systems, more resources, and ongoing operational coordination with the police and the Ministry of Security,” he explains.

Díaz argues that, although there has been progress, “there is still a need for more institutional and ongoing coordination. Municipalities know the territory, and that information must be better integrated into security planning and decision-making.”

Regarding technology, Díaz makes it clear that municipalities need access to an increasingly diverse range of solutions, but with sufficient staff training. “Cameras, video surveillance, drones, data analytics, and artificial intelligence enable us to better prevent, detect, and respond, but they must be accompanied by clear protocols, interoperability, and trained personnel,” explains Díaz.

All of this is aimed at “reclaiming” public spaces for the community that have been affected by crime. “Reclaiming plazas, streets, and neighborhoods means returning those spaces to residents and reducing opportunities for crime. Security isn’t just about police response—it’s also about prevention and territorial recovery,” he adds.

AMUCH and Its Focus on SeguridadExpo 2026

It is precisely in the search for new tools, knowledge, and experiences that AMUCH will participate as a sponsor of SeguridadExpo 2026. “It allows us to connect the real needs of municipalities with those who are developing technology, knowledge, and solutions for security,” notes Díaz. Added to this is the opportunity to share experiences and forge new partnerships.

The association’s participation in the event comes at a time when municipalities face the challenge of assuming greater responsibilities in public safety, while also needing the necessary capabilities to carry them out. “It’s a very important forum because it brings innovation and concrete solutions to the municipal sector. For us, the challenge is ensuring that this technology ultimately translates into better prevention capabilities and greater safety for communities,” concludes Díaz.

SeguridadExpo will take place September 8–10 at Metropolitan Santiago. The exhibition is organized by FISA, part of the GL events Group, and its agenda will include an International Congress addressing the most relevant issues currently affecting the sector.