### Merchants Advocate for Rehabilitation of 500 Homeless Individuals to Reclaim Tourist Areas
**August 13, 2024** – In an effort to restore the appeal of Tijuana’s central tourist zones, local merchants are pushing for a comprehensive project aimed at rehabilitating 500 homeless individuals. This initiative, spearheaded by the president of the Tijuana Chamber of Commerce (Canaco), Julián Palombo Saucedo, seeks to reintegrate these individuals into society through dedicated rehabilitation centers.
The proposal, which has already been presented to the Secretary of Tourism, is set to receive support from the incoming municipal government. The estimated cost to implement this project is around eight million pesos.
Palombo Saucedo emphasized that these individuals are suffering from addiction and other issues, and the goal is to help them become productive members of society. This would also mitigate the negative image and inconvenience their presence currently generates.
To ensure the successful relocation and rehabilitation, efforts would involve persuasive communication techniques facilitated by rehabilitation centers. Former addicts would participate in the process, alongside the Human Rights Commission, to safeguard the rights of those being relocated.
The primary focus areas for this program include Avenida Revolución, the tourist walkway, the International Line near PedWest, and other key spots within the central zone. The strategy involves cooperation from various municipal departments, including Public Health and Security, to ensure the operation is peaceful and effective.
“We aim to verbally convince them and have them agree to join the rehabilitation program. We will involve the Human Rights Commission, Health, and Security departments to ensure everything proceeds calmly and peacefully. This issue is complex and requires the cooperation of everyone involved to achieve our goals,” Palombo Saucedo explained.
He also highlighted that reactivating the tourist zones would create a more attractive and positive image for Tijuana, similar to previous successful projects like La Chinesca.
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### Secondary Article: Tijuana’s Strategies Against Homelessness and Rehabilitation Programs
In related news, Los Angeles has initiated a $3 billion effort to address homelessness, focusing on comprehensive solutions that include shelter provision and mental health services. Similarly, San Francisco’s “Healthy Streets Operations Center” aims to streamline responses to homelessness by coordinating various municipal services.
These efforts highlight a growing trend in major cities to tackle homelessness through integrated approaches that combine social services, mental health care, and rehabilitation. The ultimate goal is to offer sustainable solutions that not only provide immediate relief but also pave the way for long-term societal reintegration.
By observing these initiatives, Tijuana’s project can potentially integrate best practices and collaborative strategies to effectively address homelessness while revitalizing its tourist areas. Such coordinated efforts are essential in creating safer, more welcoming environments for both residents and visitors.
For more information on these global strategies and updates on the progress of Tijuana’s initiative, stay tuned to TJGringo.com.