Sonora state police take over security in San Luis, Mexico as homicides rise

SAN LUIS, Mexico (KYMA, KECY) - Homicides continue to rise in San Luis, Mexico.

It's why the Sonora state police is taking over the security command yet again from the City of San Luis.

In San Luis, Mexico, the homicide rate has increased by 200% compared to last year, and so far this year, there have been 111 homicides.

That's why the governor of Sonora decided to bring more state troops to the border city, and the mayor is in full support.

"This is a coordination effort by the federal, state and local governments to enforce public safety within the state," said Cesar Ivan Sandoval, mayor of San Luis, Mexico.

This is not the first time the state police has taken over the security in San Luis.

The last time was from July to December of last year, and homicide numbers decreased drastically.

Mayor Sandoval says it's all to bring a better quality of life to the residents.

"As city mayor, my commitment is with you to live in a place with peace, and the right to live with security," explained Mayor Sandoval.

Locals we spoke to said they're hopeful this change will have a positive impact on the city.

"It's good, let’s see if they can arrest all of the cartel's people," said Kiara Lopez, a San Luis, Mexico resident.

"We hope they work the way they say and if they do that’s going to be great because we will be safer," expressed Genesis Alcantara, another San Luis, Mexico resident.

"Well done, I congratulate them, I hope they do their job," said Rafael Espiricueta, another local.

There’s no timeframe for how long state police will be in charge of the security within the city.