The violent incident reported on Thursday, September 3, in Mazatlán’s Zona Dorada, in which one person was killed, raised concerns among municipal authorities because similar incidents had previously occurred mainly in neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city.
Moisés Ríos Pérez, Secretary of Mazatlán’s City Council, said that the movement of violence toward areas that had previously remained relatively removed from these incidents, particularly the city’s tourist area, represents an additional concern because these are commercial areas with a high concentration of residents and tourists.
The official explained that after learning about the incident, the municipal government immediately requested the implementation of the corresponding security operations and an increase in surveillance.
He stated that although every violent incident is concerning, the fact that the incident occurred in an area that had previously been considered protected was particularly worrying. Authorities therefore requested an immediate security operation and stronger coverage in the area.
Investigations Remain Underway
The investigations into the incidents remain under the responsibility of the Regional Prosecutor’s Office for the Southern Zone, which is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the attacks, identify the victims, and establish possible causes.
Regarding incidents reported in Rinconada del Valle and other parts of the city, Ríos Pérez said that the prosecutor’s office is also working to determine what is happening and establish the direction of the investigations.
The municipal official said criminal groups maintain active communication and look for areas where there is less government presence in order to commit crimes. Because of this, he argued that security strategies must constantly adapt to prevent vulnerable or unprotected areas from emerging.
Security Operations to Be Strengthened
Ríos Pérez explained that during meetings of the Security Council, civilian authorities present the concerns of residents and request increased attention in areas where new risks have been detected.
Meanwhile, military and police forces from different levels of government participate in an operational coordination group where security strategies are designed and implemented.
According to the official, the most recent meeting emphasized the need to increase security efforts in Zona Dorada and other commercial and tourist areas of Mazatlán.
Authorities said that the need for greater surveillance is not only related to the large number of tourists who visit these areas. These sectors are also important to Mazatlán’s economy and are used every day by workers, families, and local residents.
The municipal government said that the interagency security force remained active in order to expand coverage and develop new strategies to confront criminal activity.
Communication With the Tourism Sector
The municipal government also held a meeting with representatives of the tourism industry. During the meeting, authorities and business owners established closer communication channels so that incidents could be reported and addressed more quickly.
Ríos Pérez emphasized that maintaining direct communication with tourism-sector businesses is important for responding immediately to incidents and anticipating possible risks.
The official concluded that authorities at the municipal, state, and federal levels are currently working together to strengthen security and protect both residents and visitors in Mazatlán.
Source: noroeste
