### Public Safety Should Not Be Handled by the Military: CCSPBC
Public safety should not be the responsibility of the military but rather of the police forces, says Roberto Quijano Sosa, President of the Citizen Council for Public Safety of Baja California (CCSPBC). Quijano made these statements following a discussion in the Chamber of Deputies regarding the incorporation of the National Guard into the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena).
“The issue of public safety should never be in the hands of the armed forces; not only does the federal constitution state this, but international agreements also support it,” Quijano emphasized.
Several factors influence the Council’s opposition to incorporating the National Guard into the Armed Forces, including human rights violations. “Unfortunately, a series of abuses occur due to the training that military personnel receive. They are welcome to protect and contain insecurity but not to perform activities that are the responsibility of municipal police,” detailed Quijano.
Despite the arrival of military and National Guard elements in Tijuana and Baja California, crime rates have not decreased, according to the CCSPBC President. “There are currently more than 7,000 elements in Tijuana among municipal police, state forces, the army, and the National Guard, but this has not led to a reduction in crime rates,” he explained.
### Secondary Article: Controversy Surrounds the Role of the Military in Public Safety
The debate over the military’s role in public safety continues to intensify across Mexico. Different sectors of society express their concerns, each with its perspective on the issue.
**Human Rights Concerns**
One of the primary concerns revolves around human rights violations. Human rights organizations argue that military personnel are not adequately trained for public security tasks, which leads to abuses and misconduct. Advocacy groups have documented numerous cases suggesting that military involvement in public safety has resulted in excessive use of force and arbitrary detentions.
**Government’s Perspective**
On the other hand, government officials advocate for greater military involvement, arguing that it is necessary to combat escalating violence and organized crime effectively. They argue that the police forces are often under-resourced and sometimes compromised by corruption. Therefore, the military’s discipline and resources could be beneficial.
**Public Opinion**
Public opinion remains divided. Surveys indicate a significant portion of the population supports military intervention, viewing it as a necessary measure to restore order. Conversely, others believe it undermines democratic principles and could exacerbate violence rather than reduce it.
### Recent Developments
A recent article highlighted that despite the significant military presence in Tijuana, crime rates remain high. This has led to calls for a reevaluation of current security strategies and a push for strengthening local police forces to handle public safety more effectively.
Furthermore, legal experts have warned that merging the National Guard with the military could face constitutional challenges. They argue that such a move would contradict the civilian nature of law enforcement as outlined in Mexico’s constitution.
As this debate unfolds, it remains to be seen how Mexico will navigate the complex dynamics between military involvement in public safety and the need to uphold human rights and democratic principles.