Tijuana’s Municipal Police Chief says it’s been a difficult year for law enforcement in Tijuana. Officers gathered today to honor fellow agents who died in the line of duty. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.
Police officers and the families of three agents killed during the last month gathered outside Tijuana’s City Hall. They stood in front of the black marble wall dedicated to fallen police officers. Municipal Police Chief Victor Zatarain said it’s been a rough year.
Zatarain says state, federal and municipal police have been killed. He says 23 officers have died since January. He says many were targeted for their work combating organized crime. Though, experts say it’s difficult to know.
The number of flagrant shootings has increased since suspected drug cartel leader Javier Arellano Felix was arrested last August. Some believe the arrest touched off violence between cartel members. Experts also say other cartels are trying to horn in on the Arellano’s turf. Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
(Photo: Tijuana has dedicated a memorial wall to fallen officers. Amy Isackson/KPBS. )
