BajaNomad - Yet another police officer gunned down in Tijuana

Yet another police officer gunned down in Tijuana

SUNDOG - 10-26-2006 at 09:32 AM

Yet another police officer gunned down in Tijuana

By Anna Cearley
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
October 25, 2006

TIJUANA – Armed assailants dressed as federal agents grabbed a police officer from his home yesterday morning and gunned him down, Tijuana authorities said.

Alvaro Abraham Alvarez Alvarrado, 24, was the latest casualty in what has been an unusually high number of police killings in recent months.

About five people were involved in the slaying, and the attackers escaped in two cars, said Luis Javier Algorri Franco, the city's secretary of public security.
It is not unusual for criminals in Tijuana to disguise themselves as law enforcement officials.

Alvarez's home was in the San Antonio de los Buenos section of the city, Algorri said. The assailants “had been investigating (Alvarez) and were looking for him,” Algorri said. “They took him outside the house, and that is where they took his life.”

About 40 shots were fired at the officer, who had graduated from the police academy about three months ago, Algorri said.

Alvarez had received threats for being involved in operations against small-scale drug traffickers who have carved out areas in the city's neighborhoods, Algorri said.

In recent years, small-scale traffickers have been aligning more closely with organized crime, he said.

Last month, five law enforcement officials were killed in Tijuana, and two others were killed in other parts of the state. Some of last month's violence, which left 44 people dead in Tijuana, has been attributed to the arrest of several high-profile members of the region's Arellano Félix drug cartel.

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Anna Cearley: (619) 542-4595; anna.cearley@uniontrib.com

Cincodemayo - 10-26-2006 at 04:04 PM

Hose...how sad. You'd think the powers in charge would just dump Federal Police there and obliterate the drug scum...but I'm sure there are "Paid" officials that just look the other way. Just like the news said last week the Cartels know who goes thru the corridors when and where and control everything the passes the borders. Send a hundred or so illegals thru a specific point and a couple of miles down the border they fill trucks with drugs and just drive it into the US...

Natalie Ann - 10-26-2006 at 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hose A
To many of us the drug war seems like a lost cause but these kids think they can make a difference . I hope they are right.

I pray for them and for their cause.

Al G - 10-26-2006 at 04:26 PM

Hose A.. Will be happy to gift 4 mask myself...Do you have a PayPal account??

bancoduo - 10-26-2006 at 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Al G
Hose A.. Will be happy to gift 4 mask myself...Do you have a PayPal account??

How much for a mask?

JESSE - 10-26-2006 at 04:52 PM

I have a feeling things will change a lot during Calderons administration. Some military friends of mine told me the "word" in military circles is that Calderon wants to put a stop to the mess Fox created. And the top brass is making plans for "playing ruff" with drug cartels.

bancoduo - 10-26-2006 at 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
I have a feeling things will change a lot during Calderons administration. Some military friends of mine told me the "word" in military circles is that Calderon wants to put a stop to the mess Fox created. And the top brass is making plans for "playing ruff" with drug cartels.

RIP Calderon. :cool:

JESSE - 10-26-2006 at 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bancoduo

Quote:

RIP Calderon. :cool:

The Mexican goverment has a lot of muscle. We just need a guy who is not afraid to use it. If Calderon uses it, drug cartels will have to rethink their plans.

Hose A

Baja Bernie - 10-26-2006 at 06:15 PM

We have talked off board a time or two about the problems facing, mostly, new officers. Glad you got it off of your chest because our fellow Nomads need to appreciate this stuff.
The underbelly of Baja can be very ugly--but it is there just as it is in any country. Most folks just don't wish to see it--anywhere.
Thanks!

Santiago - 10-26-2006 at 08:01 PM

Hose A: thank you. I had no idea.

SDRonni - 10-26-2006 at 08:53 PM

Holy cow! We were in Rosarito today, had lunch at Tacos El Yaqui(sp?). A police officer came in to eat lunch, too. We nervously stood far away from him. Ya neva know!!!! Don't want to get caught in any kind of crossfire!

Natalie Ann - 10-27-2006 at 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Al G
Hose A.. Will be happy to gift 4 mask myself...Do you have a PayPal account??

Al G - I am going to transfer dinero to Gene's bank account. Can do so for you, if you're interested in helping. See your u2u.
Nena

bancoduo - 10-27-2006 at 02:48 PM

Are the kids training for the PJE. If so, do the still teach them the proper use of a CATTLE PROD. :lol:

thank you hose a

sylens - 10-27-2006 at 04:00 PM

i appreciate knowing. it sickens me. but i need to know.

does any nomad know how we could set up something like a fund that we could contribute to that would provide equipment/supplies like these masks to the young cops?? i guess we'd need someone coordinating it who knows how to identify the good ones. don't know if hose a is willing...this is a cause i'd really like to explore. these young men with their ideals sound like they need, and richly deserve, our support.

help anyone??

again, thanks very much, hose a.

comitan - 10-27-2006 at 04:19 PM

I'm also very touched, would like to help.

JESSE - 10-27-2006 at 06:19 PM

I would strongly advice any of you to donate money or supplies to any Police agency in Mexico. The fact is that there is no way to really know who you are helping. Yes you could be helping a good cop, but you could also be helping a gang of kidnappers or a drug cartel. Cops are not getting killed because they lack equipment, but because theres corruption and greed in the ranks. And that is something money and equipment cannot fix. Tijuana cops for example, are the best paid in all of Mexico. bet you didnt know that. Yet they are amongst the most corrupt.

If you really want to help. Send your donations to firefighters or the red cross, they need it more and you know your money is going into good things.

Dave - 10-27-2006 at 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
Tijuana cops for example, are the best paid in all of Mexico. bet you didnt know that. Yet they are amongst the most corrupt.

What's the starting salary for a rookie?

Natalie Ann - 10-27-2006 at 06:28 PM

The first of the monies was transferred this morning, and it's my understanding that some of the young officers have already received their masks.

If you'd like to help these young men, please send a u2u to HoseA or to me.

HoseA's in Ensenada and can receive monies directly from any of you who live there or will be passing through soon.
I can receive paypal monies or a check from anyone, and I will see that the dinero goes immediately to HoseA.

For those of you who have already u2u'd me... I will get you the paypal info by tomorrow/Saturday morning. Thank you.

Nena

Natalie Ann - 10-27-2006 at 06:35 PM

Jesse - Of course your cautions are correct, and each person must think carefully about their decision.

But... I didn't donate money to the police agency... I sent it to HoseA. He and his wife bought masks for young rookies they know. My thought was perhaps the mask might help protect the identity of one of the good guys. The fact that one of the good guys might turn bad, use the mask to hide his face - that's a chance I'll take today.

I have a son works for CA State Police... there are honest rookies everywhere, and I feel strongly about their protection. MHO

Nena

Al G - 10-27-2006 at 06:49 PM

As in my U2u, sorry Nina for not responding quicker. I hope my U2U went through. fumble finger here tried 3 times. I do not care what you buy Gene, what ever helps.

Crap!!!

Baja Bernie - 10-27-2006 at 07:11 PM

I know I will go down in flames on this one---Do you you folks even have any idea of what you are talking about.

Why the heck should cops ever have to hide behind masks????Anywhere in this world.

This wins the prize as the nuttiest post I have ever seen on the Nomand Board.

No, I am not joking. Young Mexican men are joining, as Hose A says, and they are being slaughtered before they can even have an impact on crime-------And all you offer is a mask! A mask to hide behind and devalue anything they may have been able to do for their country.

Just so you know Zorro does not operate in Tijuana.

Damn it see the truth--one of these young men was wasted, killed, murdered, and mulitated with his badge pinned through his scalp---Why? You tell me.
Do you think that makes me sick-----No, your response to that fact is what makes me sick.

Damn it this is basically what is going to face all of us cowards in the states if we can't get our stuff together, Iraq, is where the masks started and it didn't even slow the bad guys down there and it will never SLOW THE BAD GUYS DOWN until we join with the real folks of Baja and help them.

Helping the Mexicans of Baja, to me, would be much more preferred to buying stupid masks.

Yes! If you don't know it I am most peeed off! Kid are dying and who cares--A culture that I love is being torn apart and you idiots offer masks to stop the bleeding.

Please give it some thought.

JESSE - 10-27-2006 at 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
Tijuana cops for example, are the best paid in all of Mexico. bet you didnt know that. Yet they are amongst the most corrupt.

What's the starting salary for a rookie?

It depends on the agency, but its around 2 to 3 thousand pesos a week.

JESSE - 10-27-2006 at 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hose A

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

What's the starting salary for a rookie?

Dave.
Starting is $8000.00 pesos a month here. And sooner or later I am sure they will get paid but so far nothing has been paid to this group.

Where do you live Hose?

bancoduo - 10-27-2006 at 07:36 PM

What agency were these recruits going to work for? :?:

I would never buy a mask for a PJE member. It might come back to bite me on the ass.

[Edited on 10-28-2006 by bancoduo]

Bruce R Leech - 10-27-2006 at 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja Bernie
I know I will go down in flames on this one---Do you you folks even have any idea of what you are talking about.

Why the heck should cops ever have to hide behind masks????Anywhere in this world.

This wins the prize as the nuttiest post I have ever seen on the Nomand Board.

No, I am not joking. Young Mexican men are joining, as Hose A says, and they are being slaughtered before they can even have an impact on crime-------And all you offer is a mask! A mask to hide behind and devalue anything they may have been able to do for their country.

Just so you know Zorro does not operate in Tijuana.

Damn it see the truth--one of these young men was wasted, killed, murdered, and mulitated with his badge pinned through his scalp---Why? You tell me.
Do you think that makes me sick-----No, your response to that fact is what makes me sick.

Damn it this is basically what is going to face all of us cowards in the states if we can't get our stuff together, Iraq, is where the masks started and it didn't even slow the bad guys down there and it will never SLOW THE BAD GUYS DOWN until we join with the real folks of Baja and help them.

Helping the Mexicans of Baja, to me, would be much more preferred to buying stupid masks.

Yes! If you don't know it I am most peeed off! Kid are dying and who cares--A culture that I love is being torn apart and you idiots offer masks to stop the bleeding.

Please give it some thought.

Baja Bernie what are you doing to help.

Hose A put me down for a couple of those masks. I will bring th money to you and I will be glad to take the money up for anyone else down here in Mulege.

vgabndo - 10-27-2006 at 08:20 PM

Bernie:

I don't see a single suggestion in your post suggesting a better way to help keep these brave idealistic kids alive. It is a damned shame that they have to hide their faces, and I am scared spitless of the very idea of unidentifiable cops anywhere, but on balance I believe what Hose A and the others are doing is admirable under the circumstances.

Al G - 10-27-2006 at 08:55 PM

Bernie ...I know your heart is in the right place. Maybe you should sleep on this one and try tomorrow to restate you feelings. I only see a immediately emergency for a child of a Nomad. Forget about politics for this effort to save these brave young men from retaliation. The world is an ugly place, but we cannot change that with speeches. We must start with the opportunity's we get. If we can save one young life, how can you in your heart say, it is wrong?

bancoduo - 10-27-2006 at 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hose A
Have you ever wondered why most if not all baja cops are corrupt? Let me tell you what I have learned first hand in the last 7 months. I am referring to State Police such as the CHP in California. The elite ... correct.
The cadets spend 6 months at the academy. They are to be payed $25.00usd per week during those 6 months.
To this day 7 months later the class of graduates I am familiar with have not received a peso. Each time they have made the trip to Tecate to collect their pay they have been told the system is down come back later. The sole support of them and any wife or kids has been borne by family or in some cases gringo step-fathers.

Anyone wondering why an offer of money under the table is starting to look good ?

On graduation they are issued one shirt, one pair of pants and one belt complete with empty black nylon holster. This is the total issued to them. All other gear and clothes is a personal purchase item .

No pay, free pants,empty holster, gringo step-fathers? This has to be "dumber & dumber" :no:

Diver - 10-27-2006 at 10:39 PM

Oh Bernie .......... :barf:

JESSE - 10-27-2006 at 11:20 PM

I am sorry but this whole thing is simply not true. I don't want to pee anybody off but the mere tought of rookies fighting big crime and not having money to buy masks is simply ridiculous. That's something that sounds reasonable to americans, but to a Mexican who knows the streets of northern baja, thats simply not right.

There is just one group of law enforcement agents who is totally clean, honest, patriotic, and who constantly hunt and catch drug lords, they are the GAFES and they are the only ones the cartels fear.

Clean rookies fighting big crime in northern baja? i have yet to see it in 33 years of my life.

bancoduo - 10-28-2006 at 02:25 AM

Quote:

A culture that I love is being torn apart. How true. I love Mexico; but it hurts to go back. Most of you don't have a clue.

Bruce R Leech - 10-28-2006 at 07:07 AM

Hose A don't give up on this thread, it is one of the best ones we have had in awhile. when you start to get negative comments it means you are hitting allot of nerves in some people and that is what you have done with this thread. you have pointed out some things that most of us didn't know before and that is a very good thing. all people handle new info in deferent ways. some want to help and some go into denial some want to disbelieve and discredit because your new info goes against what they previously believed.

I think Jesse mad a mistake when he called you a lier. he knows a lot about politics in Mexico and he and I share many of the same views on Politics. but he knows nothing about the situation you are talking about there in Ensenada and you have first hand info. I think his comments were based on his knowledge of Mexican police in general and not based on the new situation there in Ensenada. I can only hope Jesse Will apologize to you for his comments. it is not in his normal caricature to attack like that.

as for the other 2 there is no hope :lol:

[Edited on 10-28-2006 by Bruce R Leech]

Hose A

bajaguy - 10-28-2006 at 08:33 AM

As an Ensenada neighbor, I am also concerned with the plight of these young men (and maybe women). As a retired Law Enforcement officer, (Lieutenant, 34 years) I would like to make a donation. Please u2u me with your contact info.

And yes, I do make contributions to kids, Firemen and animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Al G - 10-28-2006 at 09:16 AM

For some people this Mask business has set off a red light.
I am sure your brain is being racked with fear of a masked band of cops about to invade your world.
Why, or what have you done to fear this. Yes, in Iraq they are used for evil. Mexico is NOT Iraq. The US DEA uses mask as a tool as most all the worlds law enforcement do.
Unless you have slipped into ranks of the ACLU or criminal they protect, you really have little fear.
Just in case you have no clue why mask are necessary, pretend you child is part of a police action and is recognized by another child. When the cartels come later asking if anyone recognized a cop and offers 1000 Pasos. How much is your child's life worth then.
I cannot change your believes, but I do wish I could take away the shame of your rhetoric.