Chapala’s Municipal Council on Public Security was formally constituted Tuesday, September 10 with Mayor Joaquin Huerta presiding.
In its initial conformation, the mayor and four other top level municipal government officials will sit on the council, with nine private citizens named to represent different social sectors, including businesses, target neighborhoods and expatriate residents.
The council will presumably address all local matters related to crime prevention, criminal activity, police work and justice. Government officials will keep other council members abreast of its field of action, while representatives of the citizenry will provide the authorities with feedback from their respective quarters of the community. Together they will foster specific strategies to resolve immediate and long-term problems and whatever measures are needed to improve and maintain an aura of peace and tranquility for the populace.Huerta specifically asked local reporters present at the session to refrain from publishing names and photographs of the council members to protect their privacy and safety. However, he did assign Chapala Public Security director Ramon del Arco to act as the spokesman who will channel information on council activities to the news media. The police chief was also instructed to issue regular public information reports on the prevailing crime index.
The mayor recalled that restoring security was the top demand voiced by constituents during his period on the campaign trail last year. He stated that the crime trend in the municipality has taken a significant downward swing since his administration took office last October. He credited the positive shift to an effective game plan implemented by the local police department, with on-going support and cooperation from state and federal law enforcement agencies and the Mexican Army.
However, he acknowledged that an overall breakdown in the social fabric, particularly acute in marginalized neighborhoods, remains as a focal point requiring keen attention.