A state lawmaker asked state officials to provide a report regarding the delay in the reconstruction of a street in southern Mexicali.
Assemblywoman Cynthia Ruiz, a Mexicali member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, demanded a report from Infrastructure and Urban Development Secretary Manuel Guevara about the two-month reprieve of the Gómez Morín Boulevard from Lázaro Cárdenas Boulevard and San Luis Highway.
According to the contract, the works was scheduled to be completed by July, but authorities delayed it for August. However, the street is still unfinished and very likely will not be concluded this time either.
The cost of the 2-mile street repair is 101 million pesos or $5.6 million in federal funds.
Although Ruiz said it is positive for the state public works that improve traffic and promote economic development, this specific project has already impacted businesses in the area and drivers as well.
Gas stations, a hotel, convenience stores and other businesses are located in the area that had impacted business owners, drivers and workers, she said.
“The closing (of the street) gives as a result that every vehicle that used to utilize this street has to spend 20 more minutes to arrive to its destination,” Ruiz said. “If (the state) government took into consideration impacts caused by the project, (I wonder) what measures were implemented to benefit those affected and if it was really necessary to keep the whole street closed to make it come to fruition as the traffic impact is significant for residents.”
Men arrested for robbery
Two men were arrested Friday morning after allegedly committing a robbery against a 45-year-old man, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said at 7:24 a.m. a robbery was reported by the victim to law enforcement agents who were patrolling the area by Reforma Canal at Colonia Gabriela Mistral neighborhood.
The victim told police officers that while walking by the street one of the suspects brandished a knife and punch him in the face with a stick.
The suspects robbed the victim 1,500 pesos, $152, a gold ring and a cell phone, authorities said.
Police officers found and arrested Iván Fernando “Doe,” 27 and Jorge “Doe,” 24, who were transported to the police headquarters.
Armed men arrested
Two men were arrested Friday morning in Mexicali Valley in possession of a .40-caliber Taurus pistol and several rounds of ammunition, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said at 12:00 a.m. police officers stopped the driver of a 2004 Toyota Camry with California plates that was being driven over the speed limit by Federal Highway 5 at Colonia Cerro Prieto.
Roberto “Doe,” 25 and David “Doe,” 32, were on board of the vehicle, authorities said.
Police agents requested the vehicle’s documents and found nothing illegal.
While searching the vehicle, police agents found the weapon loaded with 10 cartridges in the magazine and another one on the chamber, as well as another magazine with 10 additional cartridges.
The suspects were arrested and transported before a judge to begin their processing.
Authorities, businesses unveil strategy
State and city officials, along with business owners, unveiled a strategy to address the increase of robberies and burglaries.
State Secretary of Public Safety Daniel De La Rosa said overall crime rates have decreased 7 percent.
However, he said the parties involved in the strategy must increase efforts to attack the issue, especially among trade businesses.
The state official met Thursday with members of the Mexicali Chamber of Commerce, along with Assistant Attorney General in Mexicali Fernando Ramírez and Mexicali Police Chief Alejandro Monreal.
Gas station and convenience store owners and managers demanded the officials to strengthen operations to arrest robbery suspects given these crimes cause loosing employees, customers and money.
The preventive strategy includes coordinated operations to apprehend criminals with arrest warrants, exchange of information about convicts freed from prison, special operations, policing by sectors and others.
Authorities delivered chamber leaders 50 panic buttons to be disbursed among members.
