Baja California residents trust the Mexican army more than other law enforcement entities in the region. That's one of the findings of a survey conducted by a group of Tijuana doctors at the San Ysidro border crossing. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.
Doctors fanned out in the lines of cars waiting to cross the border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry one recent Saturday. They questioned more than 1,000 people about their perceptions of security in Tijuana.
Doctor Jose Bruno Roldan Melo helped conduct the survey. He says it shows people overwhelmingly believe the army is the entity that can guarantee public safety.
Roldan Melo says more than 60-percent of people say they'd report a crime to the Army, whereas just two-percent call city police...and 11-percent would call state of federal forces.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon has sent hundreds of soldiers to Tijuana to crackdown on crime.
Despite people's confidence in the army, half of those surveyed still believe public security in Tijuana is deteriorating.
Doctors in the border city have became vocal critics of the government's security strategy as more than 20 doctors were kidnapped earlier this year.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
