Chula Vista Police have begun collecting intelligence in the city related to violent crimes committed in Tijuana. Police say keeping tabs on these Tijuana ties will help them to better protect Chula Vista residents.
Chula Vista Police Captain Leonard Miranda says it used to be that officers would hear Chula Vista residents talk about family members who were kidnapped or killed in Tijuana but the officers wouldn't take note.
Miranda says that changed two years ago after law enforcement broke up a kidnap and murder crew tied to Tijuana that operated in Chula Vista and San Diego County, "And that many of the cartel leaders operate in and around this region. We thought it'd be important to capture that information to kind of get a profile or develop a picture of some of threats and vulnerabilities to members of our community."
All Chula Vista patrol officers have been trained to tune into events and discussions that, on the surface, may not seem to affect safety in Chula Vista. "For example, a student who reported his brother was kidnapped in Mexico. A student at one of the elementary schools in the company of a bodyguard. We can put that in the computer system, people who might be targets of cartel members, share that with the officers, and they're more prepared for the type of scenario they may be encountering."
Miranda explains the police dispatcher can see Chula Vista address flagged with notes like, relatives and business partner kidnapped in Mexico. The dispatcher shares that information with an officer en-route to a call. Miranda says the officer then knows he may need to adjust his approach to, say, a suspicious vehicle reportedly surveying a home.
Miranda says last year officers reported 36 events in Chula Vista tied to violent crimes in Tijuana, and 3 through February 18, 2010.
Miranda hopes once cartel members find out police have their eyes on them, they'll stop operating in Chula Vista.
Events Recorded by Police In Chula Vista Tied To Violent Crimes In Tijuana From January, 2009 Through February 18, 2010.
2009 Incidents: 40
2010 Incidents (through February 18, 2010): 3
Open investigations and ones so sensitive they would identify the reporting party have been omitted from this list. That includes 6 cases in 2009 and 2 in 2010. Dates are not included to protect the people who reported the incidents.
- Wealthy businessman is kidnapped in Tijuana. After paying a large ransom, his family takes him to a Chula Vista hotel.
- Chula Vista citizen's husband is carjacked in Tijuana. Family received extortion threats in Tijuana.
- Chula Vista student reports his brother was kidnapped in Mexico
- Chula Vista elementary school student arrives with bodyguard. Father was kidnapped in Mexico.
- Chula Vista high school students reports her father, an attorney, was kidnapped in Mexico
- Chula Vista resident reports receiving kidnap threat calls at her Chula Vista home. Car recently stolen in Tijuana.
- Chula Vista resident receiving phone calls that nephew has been kidnapped.
- Chula Vista resident, an attorney in Mexico, receiving calls in Mexico referencing kidnapping.
- Family moves to Chula Vista after attempted kidnap in Tijuana. Bodyguard was murdered in Tijuana.
- Suspects with rifle and handgun invade Chula Vista home but do not take valuables.
- Chula Vista resident's boyfriend kidnapped in Mexico. Cars survey her Chula Vista home.
- Chula Vista resident receiving phone calls from people who threaten to kidnap her son.
- Chula Vista resident reports uncle was kidnapped in Mexico.
- Physician with family in Chula Vista is kidnapped in Mexico.
- Chula Vista resident reports cousin kidnapped in Mexico.
- Two Tijuana police officers stopped in Chula Vista. They say they're providing private security. They're are eventually released to Mexican authorities.
- Chula Vista resident receives threatening phone calls and is shot during an attempted kidnapping in Tijuana.
- Chula Vista resident kidnapped and held for 3 days in Tijuana. Escapes and returns to Chula Vista home.
- Chula Vista resident who owns warehouses in Tijuana and San Diego receives threats that son will be kidnapped.
- Two Chula Vista residents murdered in Tijuana. Two of their companions also murdered.
- Kidnap attempt of Chula Vista resident in Chula Vista is spoiled when friends arrive on scene.
- Mother-in-law of Chula Vista resident found murdered in Tijuana. 2 additional relatives are later kidnapped and released.
- Two relatives and the business partner of a Tijuana businessman are kidnapped in Mexico. The family moves to Chula Vista.
- Chula Vista resident and produce business owner reports 2 of his relatives were kidnapped in Mexico.
- Two Chula Vista residents arrested in Tijuana for the kidnap of a 19 year-old.
- Chula Vista resident and business owner found murdered in his car in Tijuana.
- Possible surveillance by kidnapper on a Chula Vista resident who is later is found murdered along with brother in Tijuana.
- Suspect enters Chula Vista business and threatens to harm owner's friend if a large sum of money is not paid.
- Family members threatened after relative smuggled into US does not pay his fee to human smuggling organization.
- Chula Vista resident abducted in Chula Vista due to outstanding drug debt. He escapes from moving car.
- Chula Vista resident whose husband was kidnapped in Mexico reports surveillance activity at her home.
- Chula Vista resident who works in Mexico contacts police.
- Chula Vista resident who works in Mexico contacts police regarding suspicious surveillance at his residence.
- Victim kidnapped in Mexico. Family lives in Chula Vista.
- Chula Vista resident receives threatening phone call from person claiming to be a Tijuana police commander.
- Chula Vista high school student murdered in Mexico along with two bodyguards. Grandfather owns Calimax supermarket chain.
