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You'd think the rich would band together and put up the resources to regain control. Instead it seems they would rather hide in their compounds and hire more security guards just for themselves.
What's happening in Monterrey is beyond tragic.. What IS Calderon doing to deal with these horrors - And apparently 6 children were shot today(?) in Juarez while playing in a back courtyard..
It seems one of the big issues is what police are paid... Okay, so there's a major crisis -- so, first off, pay them more (lots more) - and train them well in counter-insurgency and give them tools to investigate.. I fear for this, my beautiful adopted country that is SO rich in SO many ways - and is moving its middle class forward, slowly but steadily.. I have hope, but worry that Pres. Calderon is not taking the necessary actions to deal effectively with this crisis.
I just watched 'Traffic' (with Michael Douglas) again last night - and it is such a dual problem on both sides of the border... I am appalled when a certain party fights against gun checks for any weapon sold in the US, knowing this is an essential part of any winning equation in the war against the cartels - and saving young Americans from the scourge of drug abuse. But, in a video recently posted here, we are warned that there is 'mucho dinero' flowing along the border and people are getting ridiculously rich, those inhabiting the world of the cartels in both menial and other jobs.. How to destroy a country and its people in one fell swoop... The cartels are doing this to their own countrymen just like certain tribes did when Spain first invaded Mexico. These groups betrayed their own countrymen to take away the power of the Aztecs - and ended up themselves, losing big-time. Mexico must come together as a nation!
It is essential in a *civilized* world where people care about their fellow countrymen/women that people are paid fairly for their labors - otherwise we witness what we are seeing today; people fleeing across the border for the 'American Dream', which has all but been vaporized - or being inducted into the drug cartels after which their temporary moments of wealth may very well end in a gun battle. I believe this is *one* answer to the current crisis facing Mexico... Pay your people what they deserve for their labors - and perhaps then they will back away from that which is destroying a special and vibrant society..
The U.S. wouldn't be able to deal with a thousand percent increase in crime in a short period of time. It's amazing that Mexico does as well as it does.
Mexico will have to change its tax system to a progressive system to increase revenue instead of a high sales tax that hurts the poor to generate almost all revenue. That will be unpopular with the Gringos who move here for lower property and other taxes.
If Mexico has more money, it can pay more to its police officers, arm and train them better. But again, what country could handle this kind of increase in crime without being overwhelmed?
It seems one of the big issues is what police are paid... Okay, so there's a major crisis -- so, first off, pay them more (lots more) - and train them well in counter-insurgency and give them tools to investigate..
Pay is a big part but another part - related but not identical - is the perception of being a police officer. It has to be seen as an honorable and coveted career, not just a job of last resort. It has to be something an officer doesn't want to lose over a trivial mordida.
Better pay is important but good pay alone does not make one an honest professional. The cartels pay well and they don't behave very well, do they? It also requires accountability. Maybe I'm missing because I'm seeing from afar, but I don't see where officers are held to a high standard. When officer checks in at end of the shift, does he have to account for his time? How many stops did he make? How many tickets did he write? How many arrests did he make? Put a GPS and camera in every police car, require every stop to be called in with reason why and followed with the result. And act on citizen complaints.
It has to be seen as an honorable and coveted career, not just a job of last resort. It has to be something an officer doesn't want to lose over a trivial mordida.
You think it's not a job of last resort in the U.S.?
Quote:
but I don't see where officers are held to a high standard. When officer checks in at end of the shift, does he have to account for his time? How many stops did he make? How many tickets did he write? How many arrests did he make? Put a GPS and camera in every police car, require every stop to be called in with reason why and followed with the result. And act on citizen complaints.
What part of Mexico is a poor country is hard to understand? I guess they could put a GPS in every car but the GPS wouldn't be monitored. They sure aren't going to put cameras in every vehicle.
You assume MX doesn't act on citizen complaints? It does.
MX police officers are paid between $300-$600 USD a month. Food, utilities, gas, etc., are about the same or higher than in the U.S. How honest do you think U.S. cops would be if they were paid about $800 USD a month? Pay makes a difference and so do benefits.
The U.S. wouldn't be able to deal with a thousand percent increase in crime in a short period of time. It's amazing that Mexico does as well as it does.
Mexico will have to change its tax system to a progressive system to increase revenue instead of a high sales tax that hurts the poor to generate almost all revenue. That will be unpopular with the Gringos who move here for lower property and other taxes.
If Mexico has more money, it can pay more to its police officers, arm and train them better. But again, what country could handle this kind of increase in crime without being overwhelmed?
Several points:
1: The US is comparatively safe for a country of its size. Mexico has never really been "safe".
2: Mexico is not handling itself well. Its loosing a war! And things seem to not be getting better for the past 10 years. Things have only gone downhill. Sad.
2: Even if Mexico paid its police officers better. They would still be afraid of the cartels. And would not fight against them.
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