In this guide
To hire a security service in Caacupé, start by asking the company for its National Police licence resolution; talk price only after that. Then decide what you need (a guard, monitored alarm or cameras) and get two written quotes with the same scope. If you run a business near the Basilica, plan for December now: the Virgin's festival changes everything.
Who regulates security companies?
Private security in Paraguay is overseen by the National Police through its Departamento de Fiscalización de Empresas de Seguridad Privada (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)). The governing law is Law 5424/15 (opens in a new tab); that department licenses companies and issues guards' ID cards (Hoy, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
Each company needs a resolution from the Police command. Requirements the Police cited include being a registered company, psychological and weapons tests, its own premises, life insurance for guards, patrol vehicles and identifiable uniforms. In 2023 there were 135 licensed companies nationwide (La Nación, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
How to check before you sign
- Ask for the licence resolution and make sure it matches the company name on your invoice.
- Ask to see each guard's ID card, issued by the Police (Hoy, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Don't hire a freelance "guard": according to the Police, someone not employed by a licensed company is not a security guard (La Nación, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- If in doubt, in 2022 the Police listed (021) 443-126, extension 123, for checking companies (Hoy, 2022 (opens in a new tab)); if it doesn't answer, ask at your local police station.
- Always get a legal invoice: every sale of goods and services requires one (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
Alarms and cameras: the installer must be licensed too
Article 33 of Law 5424/15 says security systems "shall be supplied exclusively by security companies and independent installers (where permitted), licensed and recognised as such in the specialty" (quoted in a DNCP procurement file (opens in a new tab)). With an unlicensed firm, the Police warn there is no guarantee the alarm will trigger on a forced entry, and an unlicensed technician may access your cameras (Hoy, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
Before signing, ask what the monitoring centre does when the alarm goes off (calls you, sends a patrol or alerts the Police), who can access recordings, and whether the system has battery backup for power cuts.
December in Caacupé: shops and homes in the pilgrimage zone
The novena runs from 28 November to 8 December, with the 8th as the main day (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). In 2024 the municipality assigned 1,468 vending spaces, and vendors worked around Tupãsy Ykua, the Basilica, Plaza Teniente Fariña and the centre (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). If your shop or home is in that area:
- Book early: planning for the security, health and traffic operation starts in October (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)), and companies fill up too.
- Seasonal guard: get the exact days and hours of cover in writing, including the nights of the 7th and 8th.
- Cameras: point them at entrances and stock rooms, not just the pavement, and decide who watches the footage overnight.
- Open-air stalls: an alarm won't help; what counts is a guard or locking stock away at the end of the day.
The rest of the year: house, smallholding or shop
Caacupé has 36 barrios, 22 urban and 14 rural, and lies 54 km from Asunción on Route PY02 (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). In rural compañías such as Cabañas, a monitored alarm with phone alerts often works better than a fixed guard, but ask how long a patrol takes to reach you. In the centre and along PY02, a monitored alarm plus cameras is the usual setup.
What to put in the contract
- Written scope: hours, areas, equipment and exclusions. Consumer Law 1334 requires service quotes to detail the work, materials, price and validity, and warranties to be in writing (Law 1334/98 (opens in a new tab)).
- Hours per guard: 12-hour shifts are standard in the sector (ABC Color, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Committed response time, who pays if equipment fails, and how to cancel.
Private security does not replace the Police: in an emergency, call 911 (ITU (opens in a new tab)).
FAQ
Who licenses security companies in Paraguay?
The National Police, through its Departamento de Fiscalización de Empresas de Seguridad Privada, under Law 5424/15. Each company needs a resolution from the Police command.
How do I know a guard is licensed?
Ask for the ID card issued by the Police and check that the guard works for a licensed company. According to the Police, someone not employed by a licensed company is not a security guard.
Can any technician install alarms or cameras?
No. Article 33 of Law 5424/15 reserves the supply of security systems for licensed security companies and independent installers.
When should I hire security for the Caacupé festival?
Early: the novena runs from 28 November to 8 December and planning for the official operation starts in October. Get the days and hours of cover in writing.
