State and Local Government Meets With Expats
On January 15, several representatives of the government of Yucatan came to Progreso for an informative meeting on the services their departments are offering to improve everyone’s lives here at the beach. The gathering was held at the La Cola del Cocodrilo Restaurant in Progreso.
The meeting was sponsored by the Coordination of International Affairs of the Office of the Governor of Yucatan. Presenting at the meeting were (translated titles may not be exactly accurate translations, but are descriptive):
• C. Ariadne Morales Acevedo, Director of International Affairs, State of Yucatan
• Lic. Olivia Bakker Gómez, Liaison for the Foreigners Attention Window at the State of Yucatan
• Comandante Jorge Albert Camargo, Operations Director for the Integration Center for Public Safety, Secretary of Public Security (SSP), State of Yucatan
• Comandante Luis Várguez Chacón, Operations Director for the Coastal Zone, SSP, State of Yucatan
• Comandante Emilio Caamal Gutiérrez, Director, Progeso Municipal Police
• Lic. Luis Chan Correa, Fiscalia Specialist of Justice for Adolescents
• Lic. Juan José Góngora Puerto, Fiscalia Officer for the Crime Prevention in the City of Progreso
• Lic. Manuel Rosado Heredia, Director of Tourism and Commerce, City of Progreso
The representatives brought a Powerpoint presentation; the following information has been pulled from the slides:
OBJECTIVE OF THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS OFFICE:
To design programs, projects and actions aimed at promoting technical cooperation, resource management, technology transfer, exchange of experiences and, in general, the institutional development of the State of Yucatan, through decentralized international cooperation mechanisms.
OFFICE FUNCTIONS
• To be the link between the Governor’s Office and foreign institutions, such as governments and NGO´s
• To provide thecnical support to the Secretariats on issues related to their internationalization
• To provide assistance with the logistics and techinical support for the Governor’s international trips
• To be the link between the Governor’s Office and the foreign community living in Yucatan
FOREIGNERS ATTENTION WINDOW
A new service of the International Affairs Office.
FUNCTIONS:
• To provide information, assistance and support to foreign citizens
• Our role is to give advice to foreigners in order to link them with the corresponding authority in specific issues
CURRENT PROJECTS:
WEBSITE
–Link to our Office from the Official website of the Government of Yucatan: www.yucatan.gob.mx UNDER CONSTRUCTION
–Assistance by email: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
BILLBOARDS
PURPOSE: To promote the Foreigner’s Attention Window
LOCATIONS: At strategic places in Progreso and Mérida, and at 5 State Police stations in the coast area
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address: Edificio Admnisitrativo Siglo XXI, 4th floor
Calle 20-A No. 284-B x 3-B, Colonia Xcumpich, Mérida.
Office hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Phone number: (999) 920 39 47 Ext. 47257
Email: olivia.bakker@yucatan.gob.mx
==================
Following the presentation, the representatives took written questions from the audience members. These questions covered several issues of safety and security. Nearly all of these issues are covered on various pages of BeachAreaNews.com, as well as in the downloadable leaflet “Your Safety and Security.”
A few new issues were raised and are summarized below:
Who can do alcohol breath testing on the federal highways?
Only State and Federal police, NOT Municipal police.
SECURITY TIPS:
• Call 911 if you see a suspicious person on your street, especially someone you see repeatedly walking up and down, possibly looking for times that homewoners leave the house each day.
• If you employ local people, such as repairmen or contractors, in your home, ask for their ID and take a photo or copy of their ID cards.
• Note that the police patrol the beach both on and offshore. They are always wearing reflective jackets or vests, and always use flashlights. If you see someone out there without these two things, call 911.
• There is information on BeachAreaNews.com about how to call 911 and reach a bilingual operator. Regardless, you can save valuable minutes if you know a few words of Spanish: the type of emergency you have (medical, fire or police) and your address (including the Colonia).
What if I don’t know my Colonia?
Most expats within the City of Progreso live in Centro (Calle 72 to 96) or Ismael Garcia (Calle 36 to 72). If you live in the villages, that name is enough. but also include “ciudad de Progreso” in your address. (There is a Colonia Chuburna in Merida; you don’t want any confusion.) Other clues are your CFE bill and the street signs around you. Ask your neighbors or your landlord, or a police officer.
• PEPPER SPRAY is legal ONLY IN YOUR HOME. It is NOT legal to carry pepper spray with you!
• If you have a car accident, call 911 and then call your insurance company. DO NOT move your car.
Do we ever tip the police?
NO. No police officer is ever allowed to accept money. If you are ever asked for money, note the officer’s name, badge number and car/truck number. Take photos if you can. You can call 911 from the scene and report this. It is important to get the name and badge number of the officer to make this work. Read what to do in case of a traffic stop on Beach Area News.
How do I report serious littering or garbage dumping?
Progreso has some tough new garbage/littering laws and enforcement. Although the city has hired new Ecology Officers especially for this, ANY police officer can enforce the garbage/litter laws, and it is OK to call 911 for this. If you can take a photo of someone throwing trash (like out of the window of their house) they can arrest.
What do I do if I witness any other ecological issue (for instance, damage to turtle habitat)?
Call 911 and ask for the police.
IN OTHER BEACH NEWS:
The Yucatan Department of Sustainable Development and the City of Progreso will present a morning of birdwatching and an Eco Rally on Friday, February 1. Details in the graphic below.
Enjoy the winter warmth!
Your Beach Area News Team:
Bob Rentz, Speranza Avram, Karen Cloutier, Dave Bloch and David Nevers