Riviera Nayarit facilitates to its foreign visitors the exercise of their rights before any crime

Facilities for foreigners to report a crime Photo: Petronilo Díaz-Ponce Medrano Prosecutor of Nayarit.

Last January 25th at the business center of Nuevo Vallarta, took place a private meeting in which the presence of the new Prosecutor of Nayarit, Petronilo Díaz-Ponce Medrano who was the highlight. Native of Compostela, was legal advisor to Governor Antonio Echevarria Dominguez (2005-2011) and is recognized as a prestigious lawyer. The presence of the Municipal President, Dr. Jaime Cuevas Tello, and the participation of ADEPM along with other important associations in the development of the Municipality is highlighted.

In this meeting security issues were discussed, and those present were in agreement with the importance of maintaining the security and tranquility which today is perceived in Bahía de Banderas. This is in contrast to the lamentable situation that other tourist destinations are experimenting, having a consequence on their image in front of visitors from the whole world; therefore an agreement was made to work jointly and avoid that the Bay of Banderas has a consequence in this theme. For which it was the following was proposed:

• Create a Justice Center for Women and the Family (Centro de Justicia Para las Mujeres y Familia) in Bahía de Banderas with the purpose to respond to the obligations in terms of care and prevention against the violence against women and the family.

• It was also determined to have 11 Public Prosecutors (Ministerios Públicos en Bahía de Banderas) in Bahía de Banderas with Bilingual attention. Currently only Jarretaderas has this service available. For this purpose an expert translator will give attention to foreigners. It is worth to highlight that in the face of any legal situation, the official language shall be Spanish.

In this way, Bahía de Banderas being a tourist destination with a high number of English-speaking visitors who could count with the possibility and facility to express, in their own language, any misdemeanor or felony of which they could be victims, provides them confidence and tranquility. For this reason, the ADEPM proposed providing support to push this proposal and strengthen the communication channel.

Also touched were subjects like the functions of a Public Prosecutor, instead of the Ministry of Public Security; here are the following references:

What is the Public Prosecutor (Ministerio Público)?

The Public Prosecutor’s Office (Depends from the General Prosecutor’s Office or the Attorney General’s Office) is a public body that represents the interests of society through the exercise of the investigative powers of the investigation of the facts that have the characteristics of crime, of protection to the victims and witnesses, and of ownership and support of the public criminal action.

What are the functions of the Public Ministry?

The Ministerio Público Public Ministry has as its main functions the defense of legality, the rights of the citizen and public interests. According to articles 127 and 131 of the National Code of Criminal Procedures, the Public Prosecutor conducts the investigations, coordinates the Police and the expert legal services during the investigation, orders the pertinent and useful procedures for the test, or not, the existence of the crime and the responsibility of who committed or participated in its commission.

What is the Ministry of Public Security (Secretaria de Seguridad Pública)?

It is the agency responsible for planning, organizing, executing and controlling programs, projects and actions aimed at ensuring public safety and citizen protection. With the objective of safeguarding the internal security of Mexico; as well as protect the integrity of its inhabitants.

What are the functions of the Ministry of Public Security?

Its purpose is to protect the integrity and rights of citizens, prevent the commission of crimes, develop the public security policy of the Federal Executive Power and propose its criminal policy, administer the federal penitentiary system, and the relative treatment of juvenile offenders, being an auxiliary to the Attorney General of the Republic and the Powers of the Union.

Its objective is to protect the integrity and rights of citizens, prevent the commission of crimes, develop the public security policy of the Federal Executive Power and propose its criminal policy; administer the federal penitentiary system and the one related to the treatment of juvenile offenders, being auxiliary to the Attorney General of the Republic and the Powers of the Union. It also implements strategies to prevent and combat crime by strengthening the inter-institutional coordination of the authorities of the three levels of government, as well as the approach and connection with citizens, seeking to raise awareness.