A coalition of vehicle owners in Tijuana claims that more and more cabs are becoming victims of crime as a result of recent weeks ‘ rash of assaults and robberies.
During a May 1 show in Tijuana’s center, individuals expressed their problems.
They claim that some individuals “fear for their life because their jobs have become so hazardous.”
One of the limo drivers who participated in the demonstration, Daniel Cruz, claimed that two of his friends had been robbed and beaten only the previous week.
” In the downtown area, it can be any day of the day or day”, said Cruz. ” They get in asking for a ride, next thing you know you’re staring at a cannon ( gun ) and there’s no place to run”.
He said different areas of the city including Colonia Libertad, just south of the San Ysidro Port of Entry, have also become dangerous.
” All we’re asking for is more surveillance”, Cruz said. ” There does n’t seem to be as much police protection as before. Vehicles were hurt, and the state had not responded.
Cruz added that individuals have to give up their income “peacefully” to prevent a defeat down by pirates.
Baltazar Gómez Ruiz, mind of a taxi drivers ‘ coalition in Tijuana, said the whole city has become more frightening for individuals.
” We have between 20 and 30 attack every day,” he said, but some individuals choose not to report or complain to the police because they fear it will waste their time. You do n’t know what these people will do when downtown turns into a zone full of “zombies” at night, and you do n’t know what they will do.
The city claims to have given cab drivers panic buttons so they can install them whenever they are in trouble.
However, Cruz and other owners say they have no idea when someone does arrive to save them and make an arrest.
The state of many of the city’s roads is another problem for individuals.
They claim that most roads are lined with holes that are seldom repaired.
Driving these roads damages our cars, which means more maintenance and repairs for us, said Cruz.” Our trucks take a pounding. ” That’s more money out of our pockets”.
