Stricter measures slow traffic when traveling to Mexico

SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Inspections of travelers to Mexico are causing delays on Main Street and are affecting local businesses, said Mayor Juan Carlos Escamilla before council members.
 
“We agree that safety is important and that these inspections will help reduce weapon, money and drug trafficking into Mexico, but they are making it necessary for the city to provide more officers to help with the traffic even though we are not in the middle of the agricultural work season,” he said.
 
Access to local business is blocked due to traffic, which may aggravate the situation caused by the current economic situation.
 
In addition to that, Mexican customs is working on a project to reinforce inspections of cars going into Mexico, which could worsen the situation because “inspections have increased but nothing has been implemented to help with traffic during inspections,” he said.
 
They were recently briefed on the inspection project and that includes the installation of cameras, sensors, scales and car plate readers attached to a database.
  
“The equipment will be installed through an agreement reached by both governments to reduce organized crime as well as to reduce money and arms trafficking with which those groups operate.”
 
The information provided by Mexican officials indicate that they may install a system that will include a barrier gate which will automatically raise a barrier arm once access is granted.
 
According to project deadlines, the San Luis Río Colorado port will be fully equipped by August at which time it will also be installed in close to 13 Mexican ports of entry.
 
San Luis has been experiencing long lines and delays ever since the Customs and Border Protection Department began their car inspections of travelers to Mexico and has forced the police department to increase the number of officers available to facilitate traffic and consequently reducing surveillance in other parts of the city, Escamilla said.
 
This concern has already been brought to government officials through a letter. They provided aerial pictures of the long lines produced by the added security measures and in hopes that it will help them consider the repercussions of those additional measures and make decisions which will reduce traffic without compromising safety goals, he said.