Rosarito Crime Rate Reaches Lowest Level Since State Figures Have Been Compiled

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---Six-month crime figures here reached the lowest level since the state began reporting figures for the city and once again recorded the greatest reduction in all of Baja.

The year-to-year state rate for Rosarito from January through July of this year declined by 15 percent, compared to an average reduction of 7 percent for Northern Baja’s five cities.

The figures include all major crimes with the exception of drug offenses and weapons violations, which are handled by the federal government rather than the state.

The crime rate was the lowest in Rosarito at least since the state began reporting figures for the city in 2000 and probably longer than that, said Mayor Hugo Torres. Rosarito became a city in 1995.

The six-month figures follow a year in which crime declined in the city by 21 percent from 2008 to 2009, compared to a 10 percent average reduction in Baja.

“I hope these figures will be widely reported on both sides of the border,” Torres said. “Largely because of drug violence between rival drug gangs scattered throughout Mexico, some people, especially in the U.S., have the perception that our city is unsafe.

“But Rosarito has never been more secure for our visitors and residents, who include about 14,000 expatriates, most from the U.S.”

Among six-month crime figures for Rosarito:

·        Homicides declined from 17 to 9, a rate lower than numerous U.S. cities, including Washington D.C.

·        Crimes of violence declined 38 percent, from 32 to 20

·        Robbery and burglary declined 21 percent, from 928 to 730

·        Residential burglaries declined 22 percent, from 298 to 233

·        Robberies with the threat of force declined 20 percent, from 128 to 102

·        Commercial burglaries declined 41 percent, from 34 to 20

·        Vehicle thefts declined 35 percent, from 339 to 221

Torres attributed the crime decline to exceptional cooperation between city, state and federal authorities, which he said could serve as a model for all of Mexico.

Torres ran for mayor in 2007 on a platform of increased security. Since then he has expanded the police force from 150 to 217 while replacing officers who did not meet standards, established a tourist police force and expanded citizen watch efforts.

He also brought in an Army captain on leave, Jorge Montero, to serve as director of public security

“Even with our outstanding results, I know there is additional work to be done,” Torres said. “Fighting crime anywhere is a lifelong challenge.”

(State crime figures are always posted on www.bajacalifornia.gob.mx)