Crime Problem in Tijuana's Zona Centro Addressed

An increase in the number of robberies in Zona Centro — the downtown sector of Tijuana — has aroused the ire of local businessmen who believe the uptick in crime is bad for business, especially tourism.

Andrés Méndez, head of a city board that is addressing the Zona Centro problem, confirmed the increase in incidents of robbery directed at shops, vehicles, and citizens in the downtown area. He pointed out that the Zona Centro should receive the same crime-prevention attention that the outlying neighborhoods, known as colonias, receive.

“They [law enforcement] ought to channel more efforts into the Zona Centro, since it is an area that requires attention and because citizens are most affected,” said Méndez.

Cesar Escandón, president of a restaurant association named Canirac, complained that police still commit acts of extortion, despite efforts to curtail the practice.

It is hoped that the recent installation of a new office of tourism on Avenida Revolución (between Second and Third streets) will make it easier for tourists to report crime and receive tourism information.

The new tourism office is easy to find: look for the Domino’s Pizza sign on a pole 80 feet above Avenida Revolución...the office is right under it.

Source: Frontera