On January 13, the State of Sonora, in conjunction with the cities of Sonoyta and Puerto Penasco, began an intensive monitoring operation along the highway.
In a meeting attended by both the mayors of both cities and some tourism industry insiders, Puerto Penasco mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro demanded better surveillance along the highway. “We must keep protect visitors at all cost”, said one attendee.
Sonoyta Mayor Agustin Quiroz Murrieta sent instructions to the Secretary of Public Safety, Ernesto Munro Palacio, demanding more agents to help in this operation.
Federal Highway Police have been set up along the highway towards Puerto Peñasco and officers have vowed to investigate any and all suspicious behavior, acts of violence or suspected criminal intent.
Quiroz Murrieta stated that no resources or personnel would be spared in the effort to meet the demands of tourism service providers from Puerto Penasco.
The Mayor stressed the importance of cooperation between all police agencies, saying that it is essential to work together to provide all travelers with a safe journey. “Those who come from the U.S. to this region have the right to continue enjoying the peace that has existed here for many years”, he said.
According to Quiroz, a police unit will be patrolling from Sonoyta to the Cuates bridge while and another one would be making the run simultaneously from Puerto Peñasco.
