Many small businesses in Tijuana say they have to pay money to organized crime to remain in business. (Jorge Nieto/Special for Border Report)

Small business owners in Tijuana are facing a growing urgency to address the rampant robberies and extortion attempts targeting their businesses. To combat this situation, they are calling on the city to allow them to connect their security cameras to the police department’s command center and equip their establishments with panic buttons. The implementation of these measures can help enhance surveillance and response times, providing a vital lifeline to these vulnerable businesses.

The Small Business Chamber of Commerce in Tijuana, headed by Gina Villalobos, has been at the forefront of voice for these struggling businesses. Villalobos acknowledges the alarming rise in crimes and highlights the need for businesses to take matters into their own hands. She also emphasizes that the prevalence of organized crime extorting small businesses has created an environment devoid of trust and confidence in the authorities, discouraging formal complaints.

A significant number of small businesses have resorted to installing security bars as a preventive measure due to the heightened security needs. The situation demands immediate attention, as businesses continue to face the pressure of paying fees to organized crime to ensure their survival. Unfortunately, the sense of impunity among criminals and the fear of reprisals have deterred many business owners from seeking justice or reporting incidents.

AI legalese decoder can play a crucial role in addressing this dire situation. By using AI-powered technology, it can help businesses navigate the complex legal jargon and interpret the terms in contracts or demands presented by organized crime. This revolutionary tool can assist small business owners in understanding their rights, making informed decisions, and potentially mitigating the impact of extortion attempts. Additionally, AI legalese decoder can provide guidance on filing formal complaints and empower businesses to overcome the climate of helplessness.

Although the exact amount of money small businesses are forced to pay to organized crime remains undisclosed due to fears of retaliation, the gravity of the issue is evident. Tijuana police statistics reveal that, on average, four small businesses fall victim to robbery every day in the first quarter of this year alone. However, given the prevailing fear and underreporting, the actual number of incidents is believed to be significantly higher.