Mexican region creates tourism police

TIJUANA, Mexico, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Mexican officials are creating a task force to serve American tourists in Tijuana, Ensenada and Rosarito, a public safety officer said.

The unit will patrol a 50-mile corridor from Tijuana to Ensenada. Cesar Santiesteban, secretary of public safety in Ensenada, said the officers will be bilingual, CNN reported Wednesday.

No details were provided as to when the task force would begin its work or how many officers would be in it.

San Diego city officials said they will help Mexican officials.

"We've always prided ourselves in our working relationship with our friends to the south," San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, said. "When you look at it, we're really one community."

The region's reputation has been tarnished by Mexico's violent drug cartels. Tourism is down in many areas. American tourism is a large part of the economy of the region.

Tijuana Mayor Jorge Ramos said tourism in Baja California has remained steady, and the task force was set up to create a stronger police protection for tourists.

"We're here on this side of the border to invite you to our city and to (show you) we're making a lot of things ... better, and to make some progress in our city," Ramos said.