WHAT

Operation Safe Crossing — San Diego Police will coordinate a multi-agency enforcement operation at 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 this weekend and on April 5th and 6th.

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. Volunteers will be handing out fliers to inform the public about roving DUI patrols and promoting sober driving. (SATURDAY ONLY)

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

WHEN

Friday, March 29, 2002 — Operation Safe Crossing at the border goes from 9:00 to dawn

Saturday, March 30, 2002 — Operation Safe Crossing at the border goes from 9:00 to dawn

*CHP will be conducting DUI patrols in San Diego County on Saturday, March 30th.

INTERVIEWS: Sgt. Max Verduzco will be available for interviews after 1:00 pm on Thursday and after 9:00 pm on Friday and Saturday at the southbound border crossing.

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. The 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.