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Column 021113 Brewer

Monday, February 11, 2013 The Fight against Crime in Mexico Demands a Bold Commitment By Jerry Brewer Cutting to the proverbial chase in pursuit of stabilizing the Mexico homeland from nearly a decade of unprecedented death and carnage will necessitate much more than trial balloons. A successful crime and violence reduction strategy must consist of competent strategies that are surgically focused on more holistic approaches that embrace immediate, as well as short and long term plans of action. Former President Felipe Calderon was sadly forced into many knee-jerk reactions as a transnational enemy of organized and trained murdering thugs escalated head-on confrontations, engaging Mexico's weak police infrastructure and military responders. This was no different than a regular enemy army encroaching on any sovereign nation. Perhaps Mexico's response, as well as that of the U.S., in initially reacting to the onslaught of random and indiscriminate murder was too narrowly concentrated on eliminating drugs, their movements, and the hierarchy of drug lords and vicious criminal entrepreneurs. After all, no one has done much to address or actually stem the enormous addiction and drug demand. Governments have given far too much play-by-play narrative and notoriety to the drug gangs, which essentially are bands of loosely recruited violent criminals that draw no lines in the sand as to their intentions to not honor any rule of law or authority.

In fact, they graphically demonstrate daily their propensities to commit all types of felony crimes and violence. There is no respect for human life for any reason. No one is spared as we see vast numbers of murdered women, children, migrants, government officials, media professionals, and other innocents. Is the assertion that "gangs" must be the primary target of all police enforcement efforts? There should be no question as to the infiltration and subsequent dismantling of a criminal kingpin hierarchy. Gangs are essentially indirect and direct soldiers of the overall conspiracies of organized criminal acts. However, simply taking off the head of a criminal organization only inspires members of the organization to move up a step or to break off to organize and/or operate separately. This is where effective police interdiction is critically necessary. Calderon and his administration were acutely aware that Mexico had reached a critical juncture when he assumed office in late 2006. The previous year had a significant rise in armed criminal confrontations against authorities, which would ultimately result, to date, in over 174 government officials murdered -- 83 of whom were police chiefs. Mexican President Enrique Pea Nieto faces a monumental task in his first year as president in establishing effective law enforcement with effective control strategies and successful crime reduction methodologies. Competent strategic assessments for immediate and longer term priorities must be in place. Much of this will simply entail the meticulous, implacable, relentless application of basic police work fundamentals. Strategic tasking, coordination, and strict oversight will be necessary. Pea Nieto wants to consolidate and restructure federal law enforcement, as well as to unify the state police from 31 Mexican states under a federal command. He also has plans to create a supplemental paramilitary force, a national gendarmerie, "that would serve for tackling violent organized criminal groups." Skeptics feel that 2013 is not likely to see any significant changes as a direct result of Pea Nieto's domestic security policies since they will take

time to produce results. There is no room for error for Mexico's safety from this onslaught of transnational organized crime, and its diversified elements and nature to perpetrate virtually all phases of criminal and related violent acts. Drugs will continue to flow regardless of interdiction or legalization due to the intense demand. Consequently, all of the criminal elements will also have the need and mandate to pursue other lucrative criminal revenue sources that may even rival and exceed current superior armaments and ingenuity. It is hoped that Pea Nieto has at his disposal policing consultants and trainers outside of Mexico's traditional policing enclaves. A diverse (perhaps international) constituency is needed to bring about a well-designed, well-structured organization that is effectively coordinated with a systems approach that is commensurate with existing economic/fiscal constraints and cultural applications. Tactical and strategic assessments, as well as problem/target profiles, will be essential and viable opportunities for success. It is no secret that transnational organized crime and its vast network of operatives have more power, wealth, and status than many nations. They do not fly a flag but have capabilities with armies of well-armed and trained combatants. Their reign of terror certainly qualifies them for "terrorist" status due to their barbaric acts against all that cross their path, including governments. Crime in Mexico obviously transcends traditional policing concepts, and current policing capabilities and infrastructure. President Pea Nieto, in his quest to protect the Mexican homeland, will face political and diplomatic pressures, and local statesmanship, yet he must remain proactive and steadfast to make a real and timely difference. ---------Jerry Brewer is C.E.O. of Criminal Justice International Associates, a global threat mitigation firm headquartered in northern Virginia. His website is located at http://www.cjiausa.org/. TWITTER:

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