In this guide
In Pedro Juan Caballero, the first thing to ask any security company is whether it is licensed by Paraguay's National Police under Law 5424, which governs private security in the country (Hoy (opens in a new tab)). Then get in writing what's covered (cameras, monitored alarm, guard) and who responds when the alarm goes off: in recent break-ins in the city, cameras helped find the culprits but didn't stop them getting in.
How do you check a security company is licensed?
Law 5424 is enforced by a specialised National Police department that licenses companies and issues the ID cards guards need to work (Hoy (opens in a new tab)). Licences are granted by resolution of the police command, and the company must be a registered business with its own premises, run psychological and weapons tests on staff, insure its guards' lives and have marked vehicles and uniforms (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
Before you sign:
- Ask for the company's licensing resolution and check the ID of the guards or technicians coming to your home or shop.
- Be wary of anyone who can't show paperwork. In 2023 only 135 companies were licensed nationwide after about 200 were cancelled or suspended (La Nación (opens in a new tab)), and in late 2023 a deputy minister warned that many firms don't meet minimum requirements (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- If in doubt about a company, check with the National Police, at your local station or its security companies oversight department, which issues the licences (Hoy (opens in a new tab)).
With an informal firm there's no guarantee staff are trained or weapons registered, unvetted technicians may have access to your cameras, and alarms may fail to trigger during a break-in (Hoy (opens in a new tab)).
What do recent break-ins in Pedro Juan show?
Three cases reported by Última Hora show how thieves get in:
- Broken window before dawn: in September 2024 a shop on Avenida Teniente Herrero, near Julia Cueto Estigarribia, was robbed for the third time. Thieves broke a window around 4 a.m. and took the takings; CCTV helped police locate the suspects (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
- Padlock cut at night: in August 2025, at José Berges and 15 de Agosto (María Victoria neighbourhood), two people forced their way into a phone shop with bolt cutters. Cameras recorded everything (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
- Empty house during work hours: in November 2025, in the Jardín Aurora neighbourhood, burglars broke a window and entered a home while the owner was at work (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)).
The takeaway: cameras help afterwards; to keep people out you need door and window sensors, locks and padlocks that resist cutting, and someone who reacts when the alarm sounds.
Cameras, monitored alarm or a guard?
- Cameras: good for identification and police reports. Ask where footage is stored, for how many days and who can access it.
- Monitored alarm: sensors on openings that alert a control centre. Get in writing what the centre does when it triggers: calls you, calls the police or sends a patrol, and how fast.
- Guard: for shops holding cash or valuable stock. The guard must work for a licensed company; police don't even recognise an informal worker as a guard (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
For a house left empty during the day, as in the Jardín Aurora case, a monitored alarm usually does more than extra cameras. For a shop holding takings or phones, combine an alarm, solid locks and daily cash removal.
Weather and the border: what's different in Pedro Juan
- Fog and storms: fog is common from nightfall and summer storms can be very strong (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Ask for cameras with good night vision and what power and connection backup the alarm has during outages.
- A two-country city: Pedro Juan and Ponta Porã form a conurbation of over 200,000 people, separated only by Avenida Internacional Dr. Francia (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). If a provider works from the Brazilian side, still ask for the Paraguayan licence, since the Paraguayan police oversee the law here.
- Language: Spanish, Guaraní and Portuguese are all spoken (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)); get the contract in a language you read well.
What to get in writing before you sign
- The company's licensing resolution and the technicians' names.
- A plan or list of covered zones: doors, windows, back yard and roof.
- What happens when the alarm triggers, with response times.
- Contract length, how to cancel, and who owns the installed equipment.
- Total price in guaraníes and an invoice for every payment: consumer agency Sedeco says every sale of goods and services requires one (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
Get at least two quotes with the same level of detail so you compare like with like.
FAQ
Who regulates security companies in Pedro Juan Caballero?
Paraguay's National Police, through its department for security companies, which licenses them under Law 5424 and issues guards' ID cards.
How do I check that a security company is licensed?
Ask for its licensing resolution from the police command and the ID cards of its guards or technicians. If it can't show them, look elsewhere.
Are cameras enough to protect a shop?
No. In recent Pedro Juan break-ins the cameras recorded everything, but thieves still got in by breaking a window or cutting a padlock. Add a monitored alarm and solid locks.
Can I hire a company from Ponta Porã?
If the service is provided in Paraguay, ask for its licence from the Paraguayan National Police, which oversees these companies.
