Public safety chief takes charge in Rosarito
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20050603-9...
Predecessor was slain 2 weeks ago
By Anna Cearley
June 3, 2005
ROSARITO BEACH ? The city's highest-ranking law enforcement official vowed yesterday to keep criminal groups out of this tourism enclave and to
continue the work of his predecessor, Carlos Bowser Miret, who was gunned down two weeks ago.
After being sworn in, Montijo said he hopes to prevent the spread of drug-trafficking violence that has plagued nearby Tijuana in recent months.
"We can't put walls up, but we will try to form a barrier that protects us from these criminal activities that are coming at us from all sides," said
Montijo, who worked under Bowser.
No suspects have been captured in Bowser's case. But Maria Teresa Valadez Morales, who oversees the state attorney general's office in Tijuana, said
Bowser had recently been contacted by members of a criminal group.
"A few days before . . . some people had asked for his permission to allow a vehicle to pass through that apparently had some illicit merchandise,"
she said.
Valadez didn't elaborate on the interview with Mexican media, which was taped. Her statements, however, are the most explanatory to date as to why
Bowser may have been targeted.
While Rosarito Beach has managed to avoid most of the region's drug violence, it lies on a major route for drug loads heading to the border. In July
2004, for example, Rosarito Beach police stumbled upon a ton of marijuana when they stopped a van for running a red light.
For many years, the Arellano F?lix cartel controlled the flow of drugs through the Baja California border, paying off certain law enforcement
officials and charging other drug groups to operate here. The Arellanos' grip appears to be loosening, however, following a series of arrests of their
top leaders.
A drug cartel controlled by alleged trafficker Ismael Zambada is believed to have overpowered the Arellanos in the Mexicali border region, and some
authorities say a sharp upswing of drug-related killings in Tijuana means various drug groups are battling for dominance.
The Arellanos' rivals have made overtures to law enforcement officials in the past, though it's hard to ascertain if that's taking place now.
Montijo, who family members said is 62, worked for the Tijuana police department as an assistant chief from 1993 to 1994. But he also spent years in
other business endeavors, such as raising horses. Since 2004, he oversaw Rosarito Beach's business police program in which companies contract with the
agency for extra patrols.
The five candidates for the job included former Tijuana police chief Francisco Arellano Ortiz, who withdrew at the last minute. After the city's mayor
recommended Montijo, the deeply divided City Council approved his appointment 7-6.
Councilman Ceferino Romero Sauceda said he opposed the choice because other candidates offered more ideas for improving the agency.
"In another aspect, he seemed to be unsure whether to accept a position with so much responsibility, and that didn't give me a lot of confidence," he
said.
As director of public security, Montijo runs the administrative and operations branches of the city's law enforcement services. He oversees the police
chief and jail warden.
Montijo likened himself to a soldier called to duty. He said he plans to continue the projects started by Bowser, who held the post for less than six
months.
Rosarito Beach's city police conduct patrols, write tickets for traffic violations and are typically first at the scene of a crime. Montijo said his
agency won't delve into investigations because that is the job of state and federal agencies.
"We will do what we can following the law, but no more," Montijo said.
He said that better coordination with outlying police and military checkpoints might prevent criminal groups from escaping the city after committing
crimes.
One of his grown children, Diana Montijo, watched quietly as he took the oath of office and answered questions from journalists. Afterward, she
admitted the family is concerned about his safety.
"We are worried for him, but we support his decision," she said.
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
