Transport Workers Demand Increased Security Amid Rising Assaults, Particularly in Year-End Months
Tijuana – The lack of public transportation in certain areas of the city is primarily due to insecurity in those regions, according to Baltazar Gomez Ruíz, the general secretary of the CTM in Baja California. Gomez Ruíz highlighted that during the months of November and December, assaults on transport workers increase significantly. The problem is prevalent in areas such as Boulevard 2000 and neighborhoods like Terrazas del Valle, La Morita, and others that are not only underserved by public transport but also neglected in terms of security.
Other neighborhoods such as Natura, Valle San Pedro, and Delicias have seen frequent assaults on drivers. Gomez Ruíz added that this has become a widespread issue throughout the city. He revealed there are approximately over 300 assaults per week, and many drivers are reluctant to report the crimes due to the financial loss incurred by taking a day off work.
There have been incidents where drivers were assaulted, and their vehicles were stolen and set on fire shortly after, which raised alarms within the community. Although state authorities have responded, the nighttime assaults continue to be a major concern. Most crimes involve the theft of money and occasionally mobile phones; however, the vehicles are often left untouched.
To combat this crisis, many vehicles are now equipped with GPS, and drivers have emergency button apps to report incidents promptly. Gomez Ruíz called for greater cooperation among all levels of government to address the security issues and requested the deployment of the National Guard to protect drivers and passengers.
Gomez Ruíz also emphasized the need for increased security measures during the December holidays due to the spike in robberies during this period. He urged citizens to engage by notifying the Instituto de Movilidad Sustentable (IMOS) to request transportation services in their neighborhoods and advocate for enhanced security.
Secondary Article:
Increasing Calls for Action as Transport Crime Escalates in Tijuana
In recent developments surrounding the alarming rise in assaults on public transport drivers in Tijuana, there have been growing calls for immediate action from various stakeholders. Local authorities are facing mounting pressure to implement effective security measures to curb the increasing crime rate, particularly towards the end of the year when assaults become more frequent.
Community leaders and residents alike are demanding more visible police presence in vulnerable areas and better collaboration between city officials and security forces. There is also a push for technological solutions, such as better surveillance systems and the use of real-time data analytics, to predict and prevent potential criminal activities.
Furthermore, the transport sector is rallying to strengthen driver protection by investing in training programs aimed at equipping drivers with skills to handle emergencies. Pressure is also being put on legislators to impose harsher penalties on perpetrators to deter criminal behavior.
As Tijuana navigates these challenges, the urgency for a comprehensive strategy to ensure the safety and security of everyone reliant on the city’s public transport system grows more evident. With these concerted efforts, there is hope that a safer environment can be achieved for both transport workers and passengers alike.