Acapulco Forum: Security Update

Dude

Thanks for the update. I think most of us felt like things have improved a lot but stats don't lie and yours I know will make a lot of people happy to read this.

Hopefully the trend continues and the program for that matter a long time as it was certainly needed. Keep it up!!!!

We are currently spreading the word to all of our business partners, it's a shame that the tourism officials are hesitant to acknowledge we have a Security problem and state that measures are being taken, bold measure, many people have the impression that things haven’t changed much in the last few months and still see us as an insecure destination.

I believe it shouldn’t be taboo to talk about these issues, like if not talking about it will make it go away. We do have problems, and yes they are being taken care of, I can safely say I feel secure again; In fact tomorrow we’re going out for drinks with some friends.

It will take a while for public perception to change, but, they need to start getting the word out, not only domestically, I translated the press releases to send them out to our customers. Hopefully we will be back the glory days in the next couple of years.

Great update Dude. I hope they keep this going for more than a few more months.

Every month they will release a press conference, right now Phase 2 of operation Safe Guerrero is into effeect, the joint task is going to small towns in the state where drug lords and extortionists live.

We will still have heavy police and military presence till they get the job done, right now it's in the hands of the people, we need to call in suspsicious people and safe houses. Their are toll free numbers, direct mobile phone numbers and emergency 3 digit numbers all anonymous.

Good, sensible comments. Keep the reports coming.

October 10th press release, I can provide the original one in spanish

FEDERAL POLICE STARTED THE MONITORING AND SECURITY IN ACAPULCO, AS PART OF THE OPERATION "SAFE GUERRERO"

• It will provide surveillance to the City’s´s entrance roads and beaches

• The Federal Police will strengthen the City and State police forces in the fight against crime

• On the main highway (Autopista del Sol Mex-Aca) attention modules will be implemented for users

To provide security for the visitors of the City of Acapulco, the Federal police implemented the monitoring of the Costera Miguel Alemán, main tourist strip for visitors.

As part of the actions of the joint operation "Safe Guerrero", federal police officers will patrol 24 hours a day the main roads, entry and exits of Acapulco roads as well as surrounding areas, so tourists and locals can safely go to, work school, markets and recreation centers, in complete confidence and feel secure.

For the integration of information, intelligence, use of technologies and expertise, the Federal Police will reinforce the operations of the Centre for Control, Command, Communication and Computing C4 (emergency response center) currently operating in the City of Acapulco.

Simultaneously the Federal Police will strengthen the Anonymous Citizen Complaint System 088 (toll free number), to eradicate extortion and kidnaping.

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In order to prevent and combat crimes such as human trafficking, the sale of alcohol to minors, vehicle theft, possession and sale of narcotics, special operatives will be held in bars, canteens, billiards, casinos and other adult entertainment areas, which will be also verified for their legal operation.

Through tactical analysis, crisis management and negotiating units, the Federal Police will develop research and intelligence to locate leaders of organized crime, with the support of “Platform Mexico”.

Regarding education, to insure the safety of students and teachers in schools throughout the State, emergency buttons will be installed, and care programs will be provided to students to prevent drug addiction and violence.

In addition, the Federal police will strengthen the work of inspection and surveillance on the main highway (Autopista del Sol), main communication route between the capital of the country and Acapulco. There will be radio communicated patrol cars, helicopter and laser units, to provide security and respond to assistance requests on the 367 kilometers of the highway.

As part of this deployment, the Federal Police will implement the following actions:

• Review of the physical and state of mind of drivers of vehicles in general

• Speed control on roads, mainly where vehicle flow is very high

• Verify that drivers and passengers use their safety belts to avoid injury in the event of accidents

• Surveillance and monitoring rounds in areas of high crime incidence, as well as inspection with hand-held metal detectors, to detect the presence of weapons

Simultaneously, road assistance and guidance modules will be installed on the highway, in case they suffer any mishap.

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The Federal Police will work in coordination with the authorities of the State of Guerrero, as well as the Secretariat of Communications and Transport, on federal roads and bridges.

The Secretariat of Federal Public Security confirms its commitment to protect and serve the community, placing at your disposal the National Centre of Public Attention of the Federal Police to make any claim or complaint dialing 01-800-440-3690 toll free for the entire country, 088 for the Federal District and the Metropolitan area.

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The November 23rd press release

The Federal Public Security Secretariat reported that in the framework of "Operation Safe Guerrero", officers of the Federal Police have arrested, from October 8 to November 18, 2011, 136 people linked to criminal groups operating in the City of Acapulco.

From these actions highlights the arrest of two leaders and founders of the criminal organization "La Barredora", identified as Arturo Hernandez Christian Tarin, alias "The Chris" on October 18 and Victor Manuel Rivera Galeana, alias "Fat Victor "captured on November 4

On the same note, in order to eradicate extortion and kidnappings, the Federal Police through the Anonymous Citizen Report System 089 (similar to 911), we received 111 crime related reports, of which organized crime is the first place with 28 complaints, followed by drug distribution points with 21 complaints.

Through intelligence work derived from such reports, members of the Federal Police had important results, among which are:

o Martín Campos Salado, alias "El Chivo", 25 years old, arrested on October 26, 2011, identified as allegedly responsible for coordinating kidnappings and leading a group of murderers from "La Barredora". In the same action Ascencio said Benito Cardenas alias "Beni" of 25 years old,.was arrested

o Angel Omar Reyes Rueda and Ignacio Ramirez Lopez, 29 and 35 years respectively, were arrested on 8 November in Acapulco, Guerrero, who were identified as drug dealers and extortionists (Racketeering), also in charge of purchasing illegal fire arms in the service of "Independent Acapulco Cartel" (CIDA).

o Mauricio Luna Villa Fana, alias "El Cholo", 41 years, a member of the criminal organization called "Independent Acapulco Cartel" (CIDA), arrested on November 11, 2011, allegedly linked to the crimes of kidnapping, murder, extortion, drug dealing, car theft and organized crime.

As part of the actions of "Operation Safe Guerrero” that contemplates the institutional work of the three levels of government, members of the Federal Police in coordination with municipal authorities of Acapulco verified 10 commercial establishments, of which seven were closed, these inspections were made in the implementation of the operation "Bars and Canteens."

In the fight against piracy and smuggling eight slot machines were seized, 46,824 pieces of illegal music CD’ and Movie DVD’s and six people were arrested. The following seizures were also achieved:

There were 131 vehicles seized reported as stolen and 32 vehicles had overlapping license plates, altered serial numbers or could not prove their legal status in the country.

With these actions the Federal Public Security Secretariat confirms its commitment to protect and serve the community, so it offers the National Center for Citizen Attention of the Federal Police to carry out any allegations or complaints through 01-800-440-3690 toll free for the whole country, 088 for Mexico City and 089 for Guerrero, direct contact +52 (744)-235-3166 (mobile phone).

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You are so right. It's like being an alcoholic. You can't correct it until you admit you have a problem. It's nice to see that's it being addressed by those who have the power to do something. It's also nice to see that there are some on this board willing to acknowledge the problem and that it doesn't get chastised or censored here like on another board. Although in that case I believe the board moderator may fear retribution for letting people discuss it there.

Thank you for posting....this is good news!! We leave for Zihua in 2 days, can't wait to see my Paradise again.....viva Guerrero!