Tourism officials worry recent violence at border crossing will keep visitors away
SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Ongoing disputes among organized crime groups that operate directly south of the San Ysidro Port of Entry are going to drive visitors away from Tijuana unless addressed by police, says Karim Chalita Rodríguez, president of Tijuana’s Tourism and Convention Committee.
Three men have been shot and killed in recent months along the northbound lanes of traffic at the port of entry.
“This is a factor that could lower tourism if it keeps happening,” said Chalita Rodríguez. “They are isolated cases, but they need to be resolved.”
He added the violence needs to be taken care of as word of the killings makes it into the news cycle north of the border and “it’s not good for the city’s image.”
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Chalita Rodríguez admitted knowing how difficult it is when trying to keep up with the “constant battles with suspects since no one seems to be in custody, or they are released quickly.”
“I believe there is a lot of discord as police make arrests only to have the state judicial powers release people involved, and then you have them back on the streets the next day,” he said.
Baja California’s Attorney General’s Office has stated it is looking into criminal activities and violence, including the murders, on the south side of the border crossing in San Ysidro.
The most recent case happened Saturday when a vendor was wounded by gunfire.
The attorney general’s office would not say if the victim was an innocent bystander or a target.
Chalita Rodríguez said they have received complaints from tourists who have witnessed gun battles and people getting shot.
“Authorities have to maintain security, and crime has diminished, but the public perception is that it still needs to improve,” he said. “This is a problem, and I have no doubt police has a lot of work, but this needs to be mitigated.”
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