A first step towards resolving persistent traffic and noise problems that plague the community was achieved through an amicable dialogue with local officials during a June 3 meeting convened by the Lakeside Community Council.
Lake Chapala Society President Ben White and Executive Director Terry Vidal presided at the 90-minute encounter in which Ajijic Advisory Committee Chairman Harry Bublin presented a laundry list of concerns raised by the native and foreign populace. Alberto Soto attended on behalf of local Semov Commander Pedro Garcia who was on vacation. Moises Torres stood in for police chief Ramon del Arco.
While the police officials were not in a position to provide immediate solutions, they did offer insights and practical advice on moving the ball forward and dealing with day-to-day headaches in the interim.
Most of the discussion revolved around motor vehicle navigation in the Ajijic area.
Bublin handed over a petition requesting 15 parking spots for exclusive use by the disabled, along with a verbal entreaty for enforcement by Secretaria de Movilidad (Semov) officers. Soto indicated that the first move should come from the municipal government. Additional appeals included the repair, replacement and improvement of traffic signals, signs and road markings, stricter enforcement of violations in no-parking zones and greater highway vigilance on weekends and holidays, including check points to catch drunk drivers.
Soto pointed out that Chapala area’s traffic division is hampered by inadequate manpower, with only 25 officers assigned to cover a zone stretching from Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos to the south shore town Tizapan. In addition, under a new policy implemented from state headquarters, the local commandant has been obliged to give his men more time off on weekends when patrol work at lakeside is most critical.
Soto recognized that the theft of traffic signs is causing confusion among motorists.
He warns that drivers heading east on the highway out of Ajijic should wait for the green arrow before turning onto the Libramiento bypass and that a single green light allows drivers in both eastbound lanes to continue straight ahead towards Chapala.
While technically the “no left turn” rules for various intersections through central Ajijic still apply, he acknowledged that officers should not ticket drivers for turning at locations where the restrictive signs have disappeared. Until they are replaced, drivers have a valid argument to appeal to the commandant for cancellation of tickets issued for such offenses. Soto suggested that the Ajijic Advisory Committee should draft a comprehensive petition covering all points of concern to strengthen the requests his boss must submit to his superiors in Guadalajara.
Torres answered complaints regarding loud music frequently played at some local bars, restaurants, hotels and party venues, explaining that local police officers can do little more than ask offenders to lower the volume. He recommended that the matter be taken up with Chapala Ecology Director Moctezuma Medina who can demand adherence of federal law on permissible decibel levels.
In reference to the security gates installed in La Floresta at either end of Camino Real, he agreed with residents who complain that they are illegal and have little value as a deterrent to criminals. However, he said the mayor and city hall staff are responsible for their removal.