By Carola Rico
Mauricio Trejo Pureco, mayor of San Miguel, has acknowledged that the last several weeks of his government have been difficult in terms of security. Despite this, he noted that crime rates in the heritage city have decreased.
After a video circulated on social networks on Sunday March 6, in which municipal police beat a woman, the mayor spoke out against this type of violence. He condemned it forcefully and announced the dismissal of those involved in said event, so that the public ministry may bring due process against them. On March 10, five days later, the municipal government held an event to recognize police officers for their services. At that event, mayor Mauricio Trejo highlighted the value of acting to protect the integrity of the residents and tourists of this municipality; in accordance with the protocols and respect for human rights, by defusing instead of hitting to repress.
“His [policeman’s] job is to arrive, control, subdue and disperse; we have to be professionals and we have to learn not to overreact. We can be tough, and we have to be, we can be firm, and we have to be, but within the framework of the law,” said the mayor.
When announcing the salary increase of 23,900 pesos for ordinary police officers and life insurance for 5 million pesos in case of losing their life in the line of duty, Trejo Pureco stressed that the Municipal Police of San Miguel de Allende is the best paid corporation in Guanajuato.
“We are not competing against other municipalities, we are competing against ourselves. We are competing against the best version of San Miguel de Allende. I will always support you, it is the highest increase in history in three years and it will make you the best paid officers in the entire state of Guanajuato, and the best paid in the entire center of the Republic,” pointed out the mayor.
In response to these stimuli and on behalf of the uniformed officers, the third police officer, Fátima Vianey, expressed her motivation and endorsed the commitment of the municipal troop. “For the benefit of our families, in the same way as the support that you give us, this forces us, commits us, and lights the flame of service to others. For six years my colleagues, and your servant, have not received an economic stimulus. On behalf of my colleagues, I reiterate our loyalty and commitment to once again make San Miguel de Allende safer, and to make us proudly pronounce once again the words: Protect and Serve,” she expressed in gratitude.
This effort by the Municipality to strengthen the San Miguel police comes from a strategy that allowed getting healthy municipal finances, after receiving a bankrupt Public Administration, with a deficit of more than 180 million pesos. During this event, 30 municipal police officers were recognized. They are the ones who participated in high-impact arrests and who, throughout this period of government, have proven to be exemplary for their colleagues, safeguarding the safety of the population in this municipality.