MEDIA ADVISORY
     

Date of Advisory: December 30, 1997
         

Operation Safe Crossing:Unprecedented Crackdown on New Year's Eve Revelers!
Contact: Dana Stevens 238-7034 day, 719-6423 cell or James Baker 238-7034 day, 520-7211 cell
      

WHAT: High profile, multi-agency law enforcement task force will be joined by emergency medical experts, teens and public health advocates continuing their efforts to tackle the larger issues surrounding the problem of U.S. teens drinking heavily in Tijuana bars.
 While the legal drinking age of 18 has lured U.S. teens to Tijuana bars for decades, Operation Safe Crossing represents part of the first serious and concerted effort to stop the flow of those under 18 from crossing into Tijuana and keeping everyone who is legally intoxicated upon their return to the U.S. from causing harm to themselves or others.                 
   
WHEN: Wednesday, December 31 News Conference at 4:00 pm
Heavy law enforcement activities will continue throughout the night and early morning hours.
      
WHERE: Last freeway exit before Mexico, west of Interstate 5, south end of Camiones Way. Southbound pedestrian checkpoint.
WHY: Last Year the Union Tribune reported that more than 9,000 New Year’s Eve revelers returning to the US from Tijuana gave the appearance of "a war zone." Recent research indicates that during the early morning hours on any average weekend night over 1,400 legally drunk drivers attempt to drive home from parking lots near the border after heavy drinking in Tijuana bars. Institute for Health Advocacy research suggests that law enforcement and emergency medical crews can anticipate over 4,000 legally drunk drivers on New Year’s Eve - the heaviest drinking night of the year.
    
WHO: Members of Operation Safe Crossing along with community leaders, parents and teens.
          

Event Participants and Spokespersons Include

Lt. Vince Villalvazo, San Diego Police Department, Southern Division

Teddye Gentry, Youth Access to Alcohol Policy Panel

James Baker, Executive Director, Institute for Health Advocacy

Jaye Carballio, San Yisdro resident and parent

Leticia Quintero, Sweetwater High Student

Rosemarie Peyron, Committee to Reclaim Our Neighborhoods

Dr. Michael Sise, Medical Director Mercy Trauma Team (call in advance to arrange late evening interviews)
        

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