**Mexicali’s October Becomes the Deadliest Month of 2024 Due to Rising Violence**
October 2024 has emerged as the most violent month of the year in Mexicali, with a shocking report of 32 homicides. The city’s Public Security Director, Luis Felipe Chan, confirmed this disturbing statistic and attributed the surge in violence to conflicts between criminal groups. This assessment aligns with comments from the state’s Attorney General, María Elena Andrade Ramírez, and the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Leopoldo Tizoc Aguilar Durán, who pointed to an ongoing realignment among criminal organizations as a key factor.
“Fifty percent of these violent deaths have occurred in the city’s valley areas,” stated Chan, emphasizing the need for concentrated efforts in the northern and southern valleys. While specific strategies cannot be fully disclosed, he noted that coordinated action is a visible measure being taken.
The most recent incident involved a man in his fifties found shot in the head at Av. Paseo de las Arboledas and Sanidina in the Valle del Pedregal neighborhood. The victim, dressed in a black hoodie and black pants, was transported to the Forensic Medical Service for an autopsy.
In light of such violence, authorities have called for the deployment of armed forces to patrol the southern valley. However, the arrival date remains unconfirmed, according to Mexicali’s Mayor, Norma Bustamante Martínez.
Data from Baja California’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection highlights a worrying rise in murders this year: January saw 18 killings, February had 11, March recorded 16, April had 20, May 17, June 11, July 11, August 20, and September 23, culminating in October’s record 32 homicides, marking it as the most violent month thus far in 2024.
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**Secondary Article: Rising Violence in Baja California Mirrors National Trends**
The violence in Mexicali seems to reflect a larger trend seen across Baja California and even nationally. Recent figures indicate significant increases in crime rates throughout the state, with various regions reporting spikes in violent activities attributed to drug trafficking and territorial disputes among organized crime groups.
Local authorities are under pressure to enhance public safety measures and increase collaboration with federal forces. Despite efforts to curb the violence, the impact remains evident in community daily life, with many residents expressing concerns over safety and the effectiveness of current policies.
Calls for stronger intervention continue as citizens urge better-resourced policing and comprehensive strategies to dismantle the networks fueling such violence. As authorities grapple with these challenges, the situation in Mexicali serves as a stark reminder of the broader national struggle against organized crime and its consequences on public safety.