Baja California’s Secretariat of Tourism convened a new Tourism Security Working Group on July 3, bringing together police, the National Guard, prosecutors, and business leaders to agree on concrete visitor safety measures across the state.
The meeting took place at the Baja California Center in Playas de Rosarito. Tourism Secretary Miguel Ángel Badiola Montaño led the session, which produced a list of proposals covering crime prevention, emergency response, and interagency communication.
Panic Buttons, Bilingual Officers, and New Protocols
Among the most specific proposals: installing panic buttons at restaurants in downtown Ensenada. The group also agreed to expand second-language training for Tourism Police officers so they can communicate directly with English-speaking visitors.
Officials discussed developing standardized security protocols for large public events, a growing concern as Baja California hosts more concerts, food festivals, and sporting events each year. The working group also proposed creating performance indicators to track both positive and negative incidents involving tourists.
On a practical level, the group addressed extending tow-lot hours on weekends, when foreign visitors are most likely to have vehicles impounded. A “tourism ambassador” program was proposed to help travelers navigate problems with authorities. The group also called for establishing municipal communication channels between police and tourism businesses.
National Guard and Checkpoint Reviews
The National Guard committed to maintaining communication with the tourism sector. Officials raised the possibility of reviewing procedures at checkpoints, customs stops, and military operations. For visitors driving between Tijuana, Rosarito, and Ensenada, checkpoint encounters are a common source of confusion and stress, even when nothing improper occurs.
Badiola Montaño said the measures should keep the protection of visitors and local communities at the center of future efforts. The working group agreed to hold follow-up meetings every two months.
Proposals, Not Policies
The agreements reached on July 3 remain proposals. None have been formally implemented yet. Officials also discussed whether to expand Tourism Police operations to Tecate, a smaller border city east of Tijuana that draws visitors to its craft beer scene and the annual Tecate en Marcha events.
Baja California currently carries a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory from the U.S. State Department, a classification that has remained in place for years. The state’s tourism economy depends heavily on visitors from Southern California, many of whom cross the border for day trips or weekend stays in Rosarito and Ensenada.
The story was first reported by Baja Times.