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Mexico announces anti-kidnapping reforms

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-12 10:31

MEXICO CITY -- Stung by the kidnap-killing of a 14-year-old boy, the Mexico City government on Monday announced a program of anti-crime reforms, including more citizen involvement.

Mayor Marcelo Ebrard announced the city will create a new police investigative agency to replace its old, corruption-ridden detectives' unit.

Mexico City detectives are suspected of having participated in the abduction and killing of 14-year-old Fernando Marti, the son of a prominent businessman. His body was found August 1, and his death has sparked widespread outrage.

In addition to overhauling its detective unit, the city hopes to name as many as 300,000 neighborhood anti-crime representatives in this metropolis of 8.7 million. The citizen representatives would evaluate law enforcement efforts.

The city also will set up an anti-kidnapping hot line, and offer rewards of up to 500,000 pesos (US$49,400) for people who provide information leading to the capture of kidnappers, Ebrard said.

The federal government, meanwhile, is establishing five national anti-kidnapping centers and pushing for a cleanup of police forces.

The Public Safety Department's intelligence coordinator, Luis Cardenas, says the centers, first announced on Sunday, will be staffed by 300 federal police and open 24 hours a day.

Interior Secretary Juan Camilo Mourino said Monday that the federal government also has offered to help eliminate corruption in local and state police forces.