Baja effort targets crooked cops

Citizen watchdogs to stop shakedowns
By Anna Cearley
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 23, 2007

TIJUANA – The idea is simple: Police won't try to extort money from tourists if someone is watching over their shoulder.

That's the premise behind a program being started by a Baja California advisory council to train citizen watchdogs and prevent police shakedowns.

After undergoing background checks and classroom training, volunteers will be given a credential from Baja California's Consejo Ciudadano de Seguridad Publica. The Consejo is a government-sanctioned citizens advisory council that provides input on public security issues statewide.

Its program is emphasizing tourist assistance because of ongoing allegations of police extortion, but it won't be limited to visitors.

The program's creation is a tacit acknowledgment of the poorly documented problem. Many victims don't report shakedowns because they don't feel it will make a difference or don't know whom to go to.

You have to be especially careful around the holidays - Christmas, Mother's Day, etc. -mm