Zapopan has become one of Mexico’s most keenly scrutinized municipalities after 200 new surveillance cameras went into operation last week.

More than 40 employees will spend their days and nights checking screens for wrongdoers at the city’s new Centro de Monitoreo y Videovigilancia (Monitoring and Vigilance Center), that was also inaugurated last week.

One of the robust bikes that will be used in Guadalajara’s forthcoming public bicycle sharing program was put on show for the benefit of journalists and photographers this week. 

Costing 1,200 Canadian dollars (15,000 pesos) each, the bikes are set to become a common feature around the city next year, when the program is up and running.

A non-binding public poll to determine the level of support for the decriminalization of marijuana will go ahead in Jalisco September 17-19, even though the State Congress is dithering over releasing funds to make it happen.

Zapopan authorities have opened the first dedicated cycle path (ciclopista) in the Guadalajara metropolitan area that runs down the center of an avenue rather than along either side.

One of the world’s most prestigious get-togethers focusing on Information Communication Technologies (ICT) is coming to the Expo Guadalajara at the end of September.

The World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) – this year’s theme is  “Building the Digital Age Together” – will showcase more than 50 world-renowned exhibitors, about 2,500 delegates from some 80 countries, and close to 100 noteworthy speakers, including corporate leaders, policymakers, government officials and members of academia.

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{access !public}In previous years, important international figures like Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Bill Clinton, Colin Powell and Mikhail Gorbachev have been involved. This year’s speakers include Robert Elliot Kahn, creator of the TCP/IP protocol, John Higgins, Director of Digital Europe, or Jonathan Nelson, Founder of Hackers & Founders.

The three-day conference, from September 29 to October 1, will “explore current industry trends, hot topics developments and better practices,” as well as look at “mechanisms that could be used to reduce the gap between society and the Internet and information technologies.”

First held in 1978, the WCIT boasts that it is the only inclusive forum with a global perspective on ICT topics, as it “involves all stakeholders involved in planning and developing the next steps towards the democratization of technology and the Internet in the world.”

The conference is expected to bring a significant boost to Guadalajara. For example, the economic impact of the WCIT 2012 Congress was estimated at 5.5 million dollars for the city of Montreal and the province of Quebec.

For more information and registration details go to http://wcit2014.org.{/access}

The head teacher of a secondary school has been relieved of his duties after ordering a haircut for 200 male students – and charging them to boot!