3,000 Feds to control town.  Does this mean no more shakedowns for the time being? No more searches at the taxi drop or checks to make sure you don't have a viagra on you.....  what is this world coming to.  On the othe hand, it may be worse.  At least we knew who we were dealing with when it was the TJ cops. We'll see.

As reported in the Mexican press, and to a lesser degree in the US press, Mexican President Felipe Calderon has sent 3000 soldiers and federal police to Tijuana.  The Tijuana police have been ordered to turn in their guns. There are various reports stating between 80 and 300 Tijuana police officers have been taken to Mexico City for prosecution.  Federal forces are running ballistic tests on guns of the police officers searching for connections with recent murders.

It is hard to know what this means for the Tijuana's future.  (For mongers it probably it means less police shakedowns.  At the moment there are no cops at the SENTRI drop off, the cop's favorite place for shakedowns.)  But it may also cause an increase in street crime.  Obviously if the federal forces are not able to efficiently patrol the streets the criminals will benefit.  Also, sadly when drug dealers are put out of business they tend to turn to crime as they are unwilling to work for the low wages a regular job pays. (This is part of the reason behind the recent increase in the kidnappings of TJ businessmen.)  It is possible without cartel payoffs that some cops will turn to crime to maintain their lifestyle.

However, this is something many locals have long wanted to see happen.  The locals I’ve spoken with feel safer and are encouraged by this development.  At the moment it looks like good news for locals and tourists alike.




-- Modified on 1/5/2007 2:53:00 PM

i came out of hong kong around 2am thursday night. took a white taxi to the border. we were pulled over 2times on the way to the border. they searched me both times, took a piece of my gum and looked at a picture that i took at hong kong. gave me back all my money and were polite. i never had been pulled over while in a taxi,only searched while walking up till now.no big deal still worth it

Thanks for head up on this. Eventhough I'm posting from Chicago, but I have two nephews visiting San Diego and I know they will be just itching to get a taste of the Tijuana "tachos" and who would blame them, but this is hell of a timing for them to go there. We're

I'm too old, and it's gotten too Wild West for my taste. I mean, what's going to happen next time I get searched?

I never had the chance to visit, but its not sounding too fun right about now. :-/