WHAT

Operation Safe Crossing — Starting this weekend, San Diego Police will coordinate a multi-agency enforcement operation a the San Ysidro / Tijuana border crossing in an effort to combat underage drinking and prevent people from driving home drunk after partying in Mexico. Operation safe crossing will be conducting operations over the next three weeks in anticipation of spring break.

WHERE

Southbound pedestrian turnstiles — San Diego Police will be checking IDs, turning away everyone under 18 not accompanied by a guardian, detaining those with false identification and enforcing curfew.

Northbound pedestrian crossing — Enforcement of alcohol and public safety laws, arresting intoxicated pedestrians and drivers using a zero tolerance approach.

WHEN

Friday, March 22, 2002 — Operation Safe Crossing at the border goes from 9:00 to dawn

Saturday, March 23, 2002 — Operation Safe Crossing at the border goes from 9:00 to dawn

WHY

To stem the tide of intoxicated border crossers returning from Mexico. Aggressive marketing practices lure thousands of high school, college, and university students from across the region to drink in Mexico during their spring break. This means more partiers heading south of the border, which translates into an increase in the number of alcohol-related problems at the border, in Tijuana, and in Rosarito. The goal of Operation Safe Crossing is to provide the necessary resources to enforce current laws, which will reduce the number of alcohol-related incidences caused by excessive drinking.

WHO

San Diego Police Department, Chula Vista Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Probation, State Parole, Federal Protection Agency, Transit Police, and Alcohol Beverage Control.