Commute times to cross the border from Tijuana to the U.S. side are often measured in hours, something that has become routine for tens of thousands of people on a daily basis.
In recent years, officials say, unscrupulous police officers and security personnel have been charging drivers a $20 to $40 bribe to gain access to “faster” traffic lanes at ports of entry such as San Ysidro.
Many pay the illegal fee instead of waiting hours to cross the border.
In the past, the city of Tijuana has implemented crackdowns on this practice but it hasn’t solved the issue since operations are often conducted by police officers who reportedly tip off their brethren warning them about sting operations.
This week, Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz asked commuters to “take out their cellphones and record anyone requesting a bribe for access to a traffic lane at the border.”
“We’re asking citizens to report and file a complaint,” Burgueño Ruiz said. “I won’t allow anyone to fall into this situation, any public safety officer who does this will be immediately demoted.”
The mayor stated people can remain anonymous as long as they provide a recording that can be used as evidence.
