City puts gates in downtown alleys to fight crime

Calexico city officials believe homeless people are behind the recent increase in downtown crime. They said alleys are being used to break into stores. Because of that they’re putting gates on them.

Council Member Morris Reisin said, ” We have a lot of break-ins lately. They’re coming across the border because of the economy right is really bad . And there’s a lot of homeless out here. And I figure that 50% of the homeless are into drugs because we find a lot of needles and drugs all over the place. ”

They started with this one between Rockwood and Heffernan avenues near the port of entry.

Calexico Mayor Bill Hodge said, “To get the transients and, god bless them, the homeless, away from the area we have put up gates and locks.”

The city plans to put gates in more alleys in the area.

“The burglaries in downtown are high and I’m very concerned about that,” Hodge said.

The council is partnering with a local sanitation company to give downtown a cleaner image that they hope will stop crime. The company is paying for the gating.

” They are very beneficial in helping with security and cleanliness downtown. They’re providing out of their own pocket two more street sweepers, ” Hodge said.

Police will be increasing patrols in the area as well.