SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The Tijuana Police Department is deploying more police officers to public schools around the city to stem a recent wave of attacks on students, including the murder of a young boy outside his middle school.
The added security was ordered by Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz.
Last week, a 13-year-old was shot and killed as he left school on the east side of the city. No motive for the murder has been made public.
Several large-scale fights and gang activity have also been reported recently outside several schools in Tijuana.
“I am extremely sorry about what’s happened,” Burgueño Ruiz said. “We are working closely with schools and their directors in all areas across the city.”
On Wednesday, the mayor announced a coordinated security effort involving all three levels of government as a way to protect students, staff and administrators at schools.
“We cannot allow these regrettable events to take place — we are increasing and promoting sport participation and other after-school activities to give students safe and healthy alternatives,” he said. “Unfortunately, many of our young men aspire to get involved with cartels and organized crime.”
Earlier this year, the city of Tijuana launched an effort to install 6,000 security cameras throughout the city. Many are being put outside schools and pathways used by students to get to and from their schools and public transport.
“I am pledging to increase security for everyone, we’re adding more street lighting and other measures, especially around schools to make it safer, this is my promise,” Burgueño Ruiz said.
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