In its second year presence, federal, state and local law enforcement officers, unified as Operation Safe Crossing, will mount full scale alcohol-related actions to prevent New Year’s Eve disasters due to underage and binge drinking by U.S. youths in Tijuana bars. Officers will stop those under 18 years old from crossing to Tijuana and prevent intoxicated people from causing harm to themselves and others by checking ID’s and carrying-out a variety of DUI activities.

The San Diego City Council determined that alcohol-related problems within the San Ysidro border crossing area threaten the safety of its police officers, residents and tourists crossing the border in both directions. As a result, a new Public Safety Zone Ordinance was passed last month which arms the San Diego Police with an additional law enforcement tool to preserve the peace and protect the public health and safety, and the safety of the officers. This Ordinance enhances penalties of existing laws, imposes a geographical probation, and requires community service for law violators.

"New Year’s Eve revelers beware. Our police officers will be watching out for anyone who breaks the law within this new safety zone," said Lieutenant Vince Villalvazo of the Southern Division

of the San Diego Police Department and one of the authors of the Ordinance. "Prior to this Ordinance, the courts viewed the individual offenses as minor and often violators went unpunished. Yet, considering the magnitude of the problem and the volume of violators it adds up to a very serious public safety threat. Our goal is to create a safer environment for all border crossers," he added.

Beginning this weekend, partiers returning from Mexico who disobey the curfew imposed by the City of San Diego; consume alcohol in public; engage in disorderly or offensive conduct in a public place; or violate any provision of the Metropolitan Transit Development Board’s Paratransit Ordinance face higher penalties. They include a minimum $250 fine for a first offense, a minimum $400 fine for each subsequent offense, and three days of community service in the San Ysidro Community Planning Area. Repeat juvenile offenders also will be banned from the border crossing area according to this new Ordinance. Now, if a juvenile is found violating any law or laws more than once within the San Ysidro border area, within a one-year period, he/she will not be permitted within the Zone unless accompanied by his/her parent or guardian.

While the law already prohibits those 17 and under from going into Mexico by themselves at anytime, this new ordinance now imposes a fine on anyone who takes juveniles into Mexico. It makes it illegal for anyone to facilitate in any manner a juvenile’s crossing the border if not accompanied by a parent or guardian, and does not have a notarized letter from a parent or guardian. The ordinance calls for first time offenders to pay a $250 fine; and a minimum $300 fine for any subsequent violations; in addition to performing three days of community service in the San Ysidro Community Planning Area. Drivers of a private or public transportation company are now authorized and obligated to check their patrons’ ID’s before boarding their buses or cars which have a destination of Mexico.

"Now, an 18 year old driver with a car full of under 18 year olds will be stopped and fined for attempting to take juveniles into Mexico," said Jaye Carballo, Montgomery Middle School teacher and Friday Night Live advisor. "This is an excellent way to discourage older friends or relatives of minors from crossing the border. I am in full support of Operation Safe Crossing and of this new Ordinance."

In addition to focusing on alcohol-related problems, the Ordinance also enhances penalties to address other primary recurring problems at the border, such as gang-related activities, illegal solicitation and illegal transportation, and commercial vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

While Operation Safe Crossing focuses on enforcement, it is one component of an on-going cross border partnership with the Institute for Health Advocacy (IHA), federal, state and local law enforcement and public health agencies to reduce problems related to U.S. teens and binge drinking in Baja California. The project integrates a public health approach to permanently reduce alcohol-related crimes and violence in both of these border cities.