Rosarito Continues Major Police Upgrades and Improvements for Resident and Visitor Safety
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---The new city administration here is continuing with major police department changes to improve security for its 140,000 residents and more than one million visitors a year.
“Crime is not rampant in Rosarito and we have had very few crimes involving our visitors,” said Mayor Hugo Torres. “But any is too many and, although we have many fine officers, we have had a problem with police extortion.”
The ongoing effort will include creation of a special Tourist Police Force and a special ombudsman’s office, which will be available around-the clock to assist visitors with any complaint or legal problem.
Torres took office Dec. 1, after a decisive victory in a mayoral race in which he pledged to make security and police reform top priorities.
Torres, the principal owner of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, was a leader in the vote for city hood in 1995 and was appointed its first mayor for a three-year term. This time in office, he has vowed to make it the model city he always hoped it would become.
Among the new administration’s actions to date:
- Jorge Montero, a 41-year-old former Army captain, has been brought in as police chief
- In December, all the city’s 150 officers were disarmed so their weapons could be tested for possible crime involvement and they were also sent for polygraph exams
- Military and state and federal police were brought in as replacements during the screening
- At least four former officers have been fired. One, a former deputy commander, has been arrested in connection with a December assassination attempt on the new police chief
- Officers’ salaries have been raised 15 percent, with the opportunity for a 25 percent monthly bonus for good performance
- Academy training will be required of new officers
- A 12-member Tourist Police Force will begin operating in about a month in areas heavily frequented by visitors. Officers will have special uniforms and patrol cars and their chief will work from the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Ricardo Moreno, a former federal police officer and state prosecuting attorney, has been named ombudsman. His job is to assist visitors with any problems. In case of a crime occurring, he will fill out paperwork for them so it can be reported. He and support staff will be on call 24 hours day
“Before, it could be difficult for people to report crimes at the state office because of language barriers,” Moreno said. “Our office eliminates that problem. People can always reach us through the Rosarito Convention & Visitors Bureau, which will always be staffed.”
Torres said the current perception of crime problems in Baja exceeds the reality, largely because of the highly publicized and visible crackdown by authorities on organized crime.
“But,” Torres said, “the situation needs to be improved and we’ve made great gains. It is a challenge, but with the support of state and federal authorities we will continue to do so. We look forward to showing our many friends and visitors the new Rosarito.”
Baja Times