The state Attorney General signed an agreement with the Mexican Pawn Shop Nacional Association, or AMESPRE in Spanish, to increase safety measures and exchange of information to prevent the sale of stolen merchandise.
Attorney General Perla Ibarra and AMESPRE President Gabriel Mondragón signed the agreement during a special ceremony attended by association’s representatives and state officials.
“I am grateful for the information openness that will benefit especially investigations, which in turn will facilitate the design of projects regarding policy, programs and other measures to provide public safety,” Ibarra said.
The agreement allows the state agency to request information, documents and other data to produce cases in which crime-related items are involved.
The parties agreed to have a special phone hotline within the Investigation Units to have direct communication.
Mondragón said pawn shop customers must provide name, address, a copy of their identification card and a detailed report about items.
If clients cannot prove property of an item they have to sign a document to demonstrate ownership.
The association has signed similar agreements with six different states to make sure merchandise is not stolen, Mondragón said.
Pawn shop companies Cash, Apoyo Efectivo, First Cash and Presta Fácil conduct business in the state and are members of the association, he said.
Several bills approved
A week before leaving office members of the State Assembly approved several bills that got stuck in legislative committees.
One of the approved bills is the new Law of Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration of Drug addicts and Alcoholics.
The proposal, introduced originally by Assemblyman Gerardo Alvarez, a Tijuana member of the National Action Party, seeks to provide assistance to those who consume drugs of alcohol.
If enacted, the law would create a statewide Prevention and Control Council and a specialized commission, led by the State’s Psychiatric Institute to address both issues.
The lawmakers also voted in favor of a new Law to Assist and Protect People with Autism, two amendments to the Penal Code to impose disciplinary actions to those who illegally dispose building residues and to punish smog control inspection center employees who request money from customers in order to make their vehicles pass the tests, and another bill to regulate funeral services.
Assemblymen’s last day in office is Sept. 30.
City transitional process begins
The City of Mexicali began days ago the transitional process between incoming and outgoing mayors.
In a press release, the city said Comptroller Humberto Zúñiga and Mayor Jaime Díaz met with other officials in order to deliver the Manual of Delivery and Reception of Public Affairs and Resources for the Municipality of Mexicali.
Such document includes regulations under which incoming and outgoing officials must conduct themselves to deliver and receive the administration.
The manual that will be distributed among officials has to run in the state’s Periodical to become legal.
The meeting prepares the way for the unscheduled gathering between Díaz and Mayor-elect Gustavo Sánchez.
