Eyes on Oaxaca: Deaf surveillance analysts set sights on crime

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02:38

A police force in Mexico is taking an old-school approach to surveillance. Instead of relying on electronic analysis, a team of sharp-sighted agents manually inspects hours of video footage. CGTN's Alasdair Baverstock has a look.

Oaxaca city, a state capital in southeastern Mexico.

Like many densely-populated urban areas, the city has a wide network of security cameras.

The difference here is on the other side of the lens - a surveillance police force made up entirely of deaf officers - whose identities have been concealed for their own safety.

'MARIA' 'SILENT ANGELS' POLICE UNIT "I believe the work is far more suited to a deaf person, because they have a far more heightened sense of sight and pays far closer attention, simply because they don't have the sense of hearing. She can also easily lip-read through the cameras."

The police force, 'Los Angeles del Silencio' or 'The Silent Angels', was founded in 2012. This group of 24 officers are considered disabled on the streets of the capital but armed with an advantage.

EDGAR GONZALEZ OAXACA PUBLIC SECURITY "They have a fantastic capacity. Once in particular, they needed to review three hours of surveillance footage. They sped up the video to a speed at which you or I would see nothing, and found what we needed."

For the officers themselves, it's a job they not only enjoy, but in which they take pride, having lived difficult lives.

'JUAN' 'SILENT ANGELS' POLICE UNIT "As a young man, he sought many work opportunities and was always turned down, and it was terribly difficult. And he loves this job, he takes a lot of pride in it and he works to improve every day. It's his job to care for Oaxaca City."

The Silent Angels have been recognized by global security experts and international governments. People from the United Kingdom to Argentina have visited Oaxaca city to learn from the program.

EDGAR GONZALEZ OAXACA PUBLIC SECURITY "They are the eyes of Oaxaca, taking care of the Oaxacans."

ALASDAIR BAVERSTOCK OAXACA, MEXICO "As Oaxaca city's deaf police force silently keeps watch over their town, they are improving the lives of their fellow Oaxacans, while finding their own place in society. Alasdair Baverstock, CGTN, Oaxaca City, Mexico."