Live in the DF? Security Recommendations

Jon M. French, Managing Director for IPSA International de México, sent me their
”IPSA Mexico - Business Intelligence Report for September 2006 –Early Edition with very important security recommendations. Check it out:


Security Advisory in These Times of Political Uncertainties in Mexico City:
Post-electoral political protests and demonstrations continue, as the dates approach for the September 1, Presidential Informe (State of the Union Address) and the 16th of September Independence Day celebrations and parade in Mexico City approach. Although public support for these demonstrations continues to decline, the demonstrators threaten to escalate their tactics, even resorting to the deployment of "shock troops". (El Grafico, 17 August 2006). Prudence dictates that on an individual level:
* Minimize travel in the city, particularly avoiding those areas affected by demonstrations.
* Before departing on city streets, consult http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/vialidad.html for traffic updates.
* Have a city street map with you should you need to alter planned travel routes.
* En route listen to radio traffic/news updates, such as Radio Monitor, 630AM on your radio dial.
For companies: It is not too late to review and update your crisis management contingency plans, in particular provisions for business continuity and tripwire planning. Tripwire planning is a pre-determined indicator and or event that may trigger a company to review and upgrade its security posture.

Security in Latin America in Perspective:
A key security indicator is the per capital murder rate. According to the AmericaEconomia magazine´s comparative study:
City Murder Rate Per Capita
Cali, Colombia 75 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 48 Caracas, Venezuela 37
Mexico City 27 Sao Paulo, Brazil 24 Bogota, Colombia 23
Guadalajara, Mexico 7 Monterrey, Mexico 3 Miami, Florida 2.7
(AmericaEconomia, 8 June 2006)

Crime Trends in Mexico City:
The Good News:
- The State of Mexico will begin using oral trials shortly in an effort to simultaneously reduce a judicial backlog in the state's courtrooms and improve transparency in the judicial system. Initially these oral trials will be limited to less serious crimes where the accused is eligible for bail. (El Universal, 1 August 2006). Comment: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (Chinese proverb).
- In the past five months, Mexico City police have doubled the number of volunteers participating in the "Collaborating Citizens" program, now totaling more than 1,300. (Reforma, 26 July 2006).

The Bad News:
A growing problem everywhere - robberies at the convenience stores open on a 24 hour basis - Oxxo, 7-11, and others. In the Cuauhtemoc delegation of Mexico City, 180 robberies have occurred at these stores in the first quarter of 2006. The neighborhoods in which these stores are most robbed are Juarez, Doctores and Buenos Aires. (Reforma, 9 August 2006).
Comments:
1. Patronize these stores only during daylight hours.
2. If the need is urgent at night, for medicine for example, a safer alternative would be to call the store or pharmacy and ask them to deliver what you need to your home.
3. Many pharmacies, stores, and even supermarkets, have home delivery services available for a modest additional charge.

Top Five Highest Risk Intersections for Crime in the City:
According to City Police, the top five intersections at greatest risk for becoming a crime victim are:
1. Universidad & Parroquia (Benito Juarez Delegation).
2. Av. Acoxpa & Av. Canal de Miramontes (Tlalpan).
3. Calz. Ignacio Zaragoza & Blvd. Puerto Aereo (Venustiano Carranza)
4. Canal de Tezontle & Av. Javier Rojo Gomez (Iztapalapa)
5. Calz. La Virgen & Canal Nacional (Iztapalapa)
(Reforma, 16 June 2006).
Carjackings in Mexico City:
According to the city police an average of 69 vehicles are stolen every day, with circa 60% being carjackings, as opposed to the theft of parked cars! The arteries where carjackings occur most are: San Antonio, Viaducto, Eje Central, Eje 3 Oriente, Eje 2 Oriente, Calzada Zaragoza, Canal de San Juan, Tlalpan, Rio Churubusco and Canal de Miramontes.

Robberies in Taxis on the Rise Again:
City Judicial Police report that the declining trend in robberies in taxis has reversed and is on the rise again: 5 daily in 2001, down to 1.6 by 2004. It is now over 2 daily. The majority of robbery victims are women. The greatest risk occurs in the Miguel Hidalgo Delegation, primarily boarding taxis along Paseo de la Reforma and adjacent streets. (Reforma, 8 August 2006).
Recommendations:
1. If your budget allows preferably take a sitio taxi, and definitely avoid pirate taxis (without official taxi license plates).
2. Upon boarding the taxi, confirm that the taxi driver's license photo is identical to that of the driver.
3. Lock the doors of the taxi.
4. Call on your cell phone a friend/relative and give them information on the license plate number of the taxi, etc.
If you comments critiques and experiences to improve and enrich subsequent issues to write:
jfrench@ipsaintl.com
www.ipsaintl.com