Mayor Retorts: Census Crime Data Wildly Exaggerated

(Acapulco ElSur, 15 July) Acapulco Mayor Manuel Añorve Baños called the results of the census survey on crime in Acapulco “wildly exaggerated.” The Guerrero coordinator for the census bureau had released survey results showing that two thirds of Acapulco’s residents feel unsafe and that half of them have stopped going out at night. The statement also said that Acapulco accounted for 97% of all crime committed within the state in 2009. The mayor said that some residents do not go out at night anymore, but many do, of course, and they lead normal lives. He said the recent occupancy rates of 60 to 65% contradict the conclusions of the census bureau.

Añorve added that Acapulco has bolstered its security with law enforcement personnel permanently assigned to the tourist zone, to guaranty to visitors that they can enjoy an extraordinary vacation, free of danger.