REYNOSA, Tamaulipas – Tamaulipas Governor Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca has reinforced security on two key state highways by adding air surveillance.
Two helicopters will hover over the road from Nuevo Laredo to Reynosa and Reynosa to Monterrey, all the way to the state line.
This additional surveillance started this Thursday due the increase in traffic flow on the roads of Tamaulipas thanks to families visiting Mexico and people traveling to the border for Holiday season purchases.
García Cabeza de Vaca said these actions are in addition to the Highway Assistance State Police program and “Travel with your Police” program, launched four weeks ago in coordination with the Federal Police to provide security for travelers who transit the state roads.
In addition, García Cabeza de Vaca said, motorists can count on permanent assistance telephone lines, 089 and 911, as well as 088 for the Federal Police. These lines can be used for a prompt response from authorities in the event of a risk situation or road accident.
The Highway Assistance State Police maintains surveillance tours 24-hours a day, 7-days a week in the sections that connect Tamaulipas with the neighboring states of Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí and Veracruz, in a coordinated effort with the Federal Police.
García Cabeza de Vaca’s announcement of increased security on key highways comes after McAllen businessman Jesus Gonzalez recommended the City of McAllen help the State of Tamaulipas pay private security firms to protect motorists traveling from Anzalduas International Bridge to the state line on the Reynosa to Monterrey autopista. Gonzalez said McAllen could pay for the additional surveillance with funds currently used for marketing McAllen in Monterrey.
McAllen hotel managers and tourism officials say shoppers from Monterrey are not coming to McAllen as much due to gang violence in Reynosa. Sales tax revenues for the City of McAllen are down this year and city leaders say the main reason is a drop in Mexican shoppers.
