Dear Sir,
The Guadalajara Reporter’s courage in leading with the May 9 massacre story by Dale Hoyt Palfrey in the May 11-17 edition, and in the same edition, Allyn Hunt’s article on “Politics so disheartening ...” deserves the highest commendation from Lakesiders.
Based on my own experiences and those of individuals in my small expatriate community, these articles amount to a pretty simple and dismal conclusion: Mexican law enforcement is still at the “smoking gun” level. Sleuthing and tracking down the culprits long after the smoke has left the gun does not exist – at least, not on a NOB level.
So if you’re robbed and the trail is cold, forget about Mexican justice – even if there was a murder, or multiple murders. There is little or no investigative capability in the Mexican justice system. If the trail is hot, the Mexicans can do it. If it’s not, most commonly they can’t, because of lack of resources or corruption which causes the former.
There are complex reasons for this, but I suggest that we in Lakeside need to address the two-communities security issue and put our money where our mouth is as we do so.
The investigative capacity of local law enforcement needs fiscal, educational and social support -- in that order.
“Fiscal” means higher salaries, better equipment, more infrastructure in standards and administration, and better monetary, performance-based incentives for police personnel.
“Educational” means more money for training and for effective communications between law enforcement agencies and between them and the communities they serve.
“Social support” again means money for programs that connect diverse communities and constituencies with law enforcement.
A lot of money is needed to do this.
We who live at the mercy of, are dependent upon and are endangered by the status quo of Mexican law enforcement have the greatest stake in the solution. The local Mexicans have made their own adjustments, but we are also hostage to them.
If we expect to be safer than our Mexican neighbors in our mostly gated communities, we need to admit our folly. We belong to their outer world, which is ours as well. We must make the same accommodations they are making.
Only if they are safe are we safe as well.
Don’t wanna? Well, get real and contribute to the solution you want.
There is immense inequality – and consequent envy and lust – in the coexistence of unequal societies, cheek by jowl. If you hide from the have-nots and the resentful behind a high wall that has 24-7 guarded gates and razor-wired battlements, some day somebody evil will find a way to get you.
I suggest that we who have the means to contribute more but don’t wanna should join with others, change our mindsets, help our utmost to secure everyone from the bad guys, come out from behind our ramparts, and help in the common problems that confront us, Mexican and Anglo alike beyond the walls.
However, some would rather play golf.
Jim Dickinson, Tlachichilco