Residents of the Chapalita neighborhood seemed surprised to see patrol cars from the two agencies driving side by side in a rare show of unity. Tensions between metro-area police forces have always been high – even leading to bizarre shootouts between officers in years gone by.
The choice of Chapalita to receive the first patrols of this new program was pertinent. The Guadalajara-Zapopan border cuts through the leafy suburb that is home to the American Society and a collection of expatiate residents.
The convoy of units participating on the first day of the program consisted of officers from Guadalajara’s “Lobos” tactical group and GAMAS motorcycle cops, along with pickups from the Zapopan force.
The president of the Chapalita neighborhood association, Jesus Ruvalcaba Sanchez, congratulated the two forces for their effort and made a plea for video cameras to be installed in the zone to reduce criminality and identify perpetrators. The association is one of the most active on the metropolitan area and recently paid for and equipped four bicycles for use by police officers.
Chapalita is home to some 18,000 residents, and has an estimated “floating” population of 50,000.