Business owners in Puerto Vallarta ask Mayor to recognize crime problem in the city

Business owners in Puerto Vallarta say they are concerned about the increase in armed robberies in the city, and after falling from fourth to the seventeenth place in the perception of security, the private initiative (IP) called on the municipal government under Mayor Arturo Dávalos Peña, to recognize the problem and call one all sectors of society to work on a solution to the growing problem.

Gabriel Igartúa Sánchez, president of the Board of Directors of Coparmex, Puerto Vallarta-Bahía de Banderas, stressed that nobody travels to a tourist destination to put their lives or health at risk, for which, he said, it is important to work hand in hand with the municipal authority.

The businessman said that the business community has detected alleged criminal gangs of Central Americans, who are dedicated to committing crimes in Puerto Vallarta. He pointed out that the local government must first acknowledge the problems in terms of security, and then call on the various sectors of society to work together.

According to the national criminal alert system, Puerto Vallarta has registered an increase in specific crimes such as vehicle theft, house and business robbery, as well as domestic violence.

Jorge Alberto Villanueva Hernández, president of the Association of Businessmen of Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas, urged the government and all sectors of society to create dialogue tables to address this problem. “These are practically local problems (vehicle theft, home and business robberies, as well as intrafamily violence), which are resolvable, but only if a good strategy is made”.

Arnulfo Ortega Contreras, president of the Business Coordinating Council, agreed with Igartúa Sánchez and Villanueva Hernández to work together. “No one can do anything alone. This is a joint work of citizenship, educational sector, business sector and government. This is a call to work in unity to solve any security problem.”

Guadalupe Vallardi, president of the Mexican Association of Business Ex-Presidents of Puerto Vallarta-Bahía de Banderas, called to face the problem and pay attention to the alerts.