Battling crime: coordinated effort should include authorities, public.

"Participation by the public is elemental in combating crime in Mexico and a more organized structure in the criminal justice system is required as part of a two-pronged effort to reduce delinquency."

Public Security Secretary Ramon Martin Huerta said this during a breakfast organized by American Chamber/Mexico. During his presentation, he emphasized the numerous changes made over the last five years, beginning with the creation of the secretariat--dedicated specifically to fighting crime--which he directs.

He spoke of the responsibilities of every citizen to denounce crime and to "serve as additional eyes for the police force." Currently, the police force is being trained through multidisciplinary exams. This is an integral part of a restructuring, review and procedure panel whose aim is to professionalize the police force. Martin also emphasized the importance of coordination between state and local security forces. The security telecommunications installations that now connect 720 local, state and federal entities significantly assist in these efforts.

Recently, President Fox signed legislation that will allow prison terms of 15 to 40 years for so-called "express" kidnappings.

When asked about the rise in crime on the Mexico-U.S. border, Martin mentioned Operativo Mexico Seguro, which President Fox authorized in mid June. The operation will bring together various secretariats to combine efforts to combat drug trafficking, contraband and human trafficking. This policy has also been put into operation in Nuevo Laredo and is being extended into the Federal District as well as the state of Sinaloa.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Early results already show a significant decrease in crime after 50 years of escalation. Examples of the efficiency of the new security effort are evident in the 77 stolen vehicles recovered, the 568 delinquents detained, the rescue of 300 undocumented persons, the enormous sums of money (in both dollars and pesos) recovered and the seizure of a significant amount of drugs.

As part of the Operativo Mexico Seguro, the Public Security Secretariat took bold measures in sending federal security forces to assist and replace police forces that may have been threatened or corrupted by drug lords who control the massive flow of drugs in this region. With respect to corrupt police, Martin claimed the secretariat is keeping very close tabs over the activities of dismissed members of the local security forces. Unfortunately, however, 15 percent of these dismissed officers have thus far escaped detection. Tighter controls over the movements of law enforcement officials is one of the central issues the secretariat is confronting. With closer coordination between the secretariat and state, precinct and municipal authorities, this problem should be resolved.

When Martin was asked why he would accept this responsibility after spending most of his career in human resources and administration, he said it isn't a glamorous job and there is great risk, but he felt the position had enormous value and was a responsibility he should undertake. Ramon Martin Huerta was an assistant secretary in the Interior Secretariat before taking over the reins at the Public Security Secretariat. He also served in the state government in Guanajuato, under then-Governor Vicente Fox.

Georgina Breakwell is the sub-director of Public Relations at the American Chamber/Mexico.