Party leader questions city crime levels

Mexicali faces a strong crime crisis that threatens the integrity of families, said by the leader of the National Action Party in Mexicali.

Party leader Antonio López Merino expressed his concerns now that the federal government has eliminated funding to cities to address crime.

That funding allowed for the purchase of equipment, uniforms, training and other items that are essential for the police force to carry out their actions, he said.

López Merino recalled that in 2018, the finances of Municipal Public Security Department were dealt a severe blow when more than 40 million pesos were cut with the approval of the current mayor when she was serving as congresswoman.

Now, as a result of this cut, in some cases the police department has faced even the lack of fuel for the patrol cars, López Merino said.

He pointed to an increase in murders, disappearances, clashes of armed groups, femicides, robberies and other crimes that Mexicali residents are facing.

López Merino argued there is no coordination between law enforcement agencies, nor the application of strategic operations for combat and prevention of crime. He also brought up the recent arrest of the brothers of Mexicali Chief of Police Alejandro Lora for drug possession. He said municipal authorities have minimized the incident, despite its serious implications.

“Today more than ever we need results and effective actions that give peace to the families of Mexicali,” he said.