Tijuana tops 600 homicides in less than 4 months
SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — State prosecutors have recorded more than 600 homicides so far this year in Tijuana, or about five per day.
Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez, head of the homicides division for the Baja California Attorney General’s Office, said the Otay neighborhood, on the east side of the city where the airport is located, has seen a jump in the number of homicides when compared to previous years.
But the most dangerous area continues to be the Zona Norte, located a short distance from the San Ysidro Port of Entry, where many bars, brothels and strip joints are located.
Gaxiola Rodríguez also stated areas where drugs are sold and used continue to be a hotbed for murders, and that the homeless population is being targeted more than ever.
“We’re seeing a lot more homeless people murdered — it’s the ongoing battle between groups who kill and leave bodies behind to send a message.”
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As the lead homicide investigator in the state, Gaxiola Rodríguez admitted they are having a hard time keeping up with the number of murders in the city.
“We’re working hard to reduce the number of homicides, some days you have seven, some only one, there’s no consistent number,” he said. “We continue to make arrests, investigate crimes, we are going after all sorts of groups involved in these homicides.”
But Gaxiola Rodríguez pointed out it would be a mistake to assume they are overwhelmed by the number of homicides and the ensuing investigations.
“We are not overrun, simply put, we have to keep working hard, you’re never going to have enough personnel to investigate,” he said. “We wish there were fewer homicides, we’ll look into every single case as well as possible and follow up by arresting those involved, and hopefully this will lead to more convictions.”
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