Posted on 05/17/2005 9:13:52 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
NUEVO LAREDO - City officials are having a tough time finding a police chief.
The wave of violence between criminal gangs has made the job not very desirable, acknowledged Nuevo Laredo Mayor Daniel Peña Treviño in his regular Monday news conference.
"I'm waiting for recommendations," Peña Treviño said, adding that he wants to be able to present three candidates to the City Council and Gov. Eugenio Hernández Flores.
Peña Treviño said he's looking for someone who's honest, fair and courageous.
Courage is key; so far, six law officers have been killed in Nuevo Laredo violence this year. All told, there have been 49 deaths and, officially, 65 kidnappings.
Unofficially, law enforcement sources said Monday, it's more like 150 people since the beginning of the year. Many are afraid to make formal police reports about their missing loved ones, officers say, fearing retaliation by those who took the captives.
Carlos Humberto Martínez, interim chief, said police headquarters is receiving threats daily by telephone and even over police radios.
"It's something that's commonplace," he said. "Every day, we receive (threats) over police radio frequencies.
"In the future, we are going to use (special) frequencies that can't be accessed by criminal gangs or other people who aren't involved in public safety."
That access to police radio frequencies has been fatal. Police commandant Héctor Villarreal Ortiz, for example, was killed during a pre-dawn ambush in February, called to the scene by radio.
Other victims include:
Serafín Dionisio Cruz, one of several officers involved in a street gun battle in March that ended up at International Bridge I
Juan Antonio Santos Salazar, who had just taken a leadership role in the city police department, was killed as he was arriving at his home April 13.
José Bernardino de la Cruz was shot in front of his house April 30; a mechanic who was just about to work on de la Cruz's vehicle also died in the rain of gunfire.
Juan Sergio Montes García was shot dead on Ribereño Boulevard after he was chased by an armed group of men.
The sixth law enforcement victim was state police officer David Gutiérrez Salinas.
Despite the risky job, Peña Treviño said he expects to bring in someone with military and police experience who can free the city from the grip of the continuing crime wave and who can help stop burglaries and robberies of local store.
"We expect to return peace to the community," Peña Treviño said, adding that Enrique Moreno Rodríguez was recently named head of the police department's operations, taking the place of the slain Santos Salazar.
He said additional new officers will be named this week.
"We are very clear on the profile of the people we want: a career (law enforcement) person, someone of high quality and morally trustworthy."
(To reach Miguel Timoshenkov, call 728-2583 o e-mail timo1@lmtonline.com)
You're in a war, Mayor!
Strong, well armed citizens will end the war if the gangs learn they will fought against.
Badges??...Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
I wish the Mayor all the luck in the world.
I also hope the Mayor realizes that he is not bullet proof either.
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