San Diego leads in Gun Violence Restraining Orders, while Tijuana faces surge with nearly 100 homicides in January
The Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers (BCJB) shares a summary of the main news on the border for January 22, 2024.
San Diego City Attorney Leads State in Issuing Gun Violence Restraining Orders
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the City Attorney's Office in San Diego obtained long-term orders to separate 118 people from their firearms for up to five years in 2023, using gun violence restraining orders (GVROs) more than any other county in California. These orders, often arising from domestic violence threats or self-harm situations, are a response to credible threats of violence. Critics argue that GVROs are overused and infringe on Second Amendment rights, while supporters see them as essential for public safety. The City Attorney’s Office pursued 226 GVROs last year, with just over half granted as long-term orders. The San Diego Union-Tribune report explains that these orders are civil, not criminal, and can be issued quickly, but many do not become long-term. City Attorney Mara Elliott champions using GVROs as a preventive tool, emphasizing their role in intervening before a crime occurs. San Diego County led the state with 496 GVROs sought in 2022, with Santa Clara County following. According to figures from Everytown, a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and comparing gun control laws in the United States, California ranks No. 1 with the strongest gun control laws and a low number of deaths with firearms per 100,000 inhabitants nationally. Arizona is considered a national gun control fail state, with the 42nd place on the list of states with the best gun control and the highest rate of gun violence. Texas ranked 32nd among the states with weak gun control, and New Mexico, ranked 16th, is one of the states making progress.
Tijuana Faces Alarming Surge with Nearly 100 Homicides in January
Tijuana has experienced a drastic surge in violence, recording 99 homicides in just the first 20 days of January 2024, according to Zeta Weekly. The wave of violence has been widespread across different areas of the city. One notable incident involved a woman aged between 30 and 35, found dead with signs of violence and wrapped in a blanket in a vehicle's trunk. Additionally, the eastern part of the city witnessed the discovery of a decomposed man with gunshot wounds. A significant incident in La Esperanza involved the killing of three young men, all found with gunshot injuries. Various other parts of Tijuana, including the Zona Urbana Río and Playas de Tijuana, have also reported dead bodies with gunshot wounds. These incidents underscore a grim start to the year for the city, indicating a critical need for effective measures to combat the escalating violence.
UVALDE REPORT
Uvalde victims’ families get an official acknowledgement of botched shooting response — but some want criminal charges
Relatives of the 21 victims killed in the Uvalde school shooting asked for criminal charges against the officers involved after receiving confirmation from U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland about law enforcement’s delayed response, as reported by the Texas Tribune this weekend. During a community meeting, Garland acknowledged that lives could have been saved if officers had acted sooner. The Justice Department’s report detailed failures in the police response to the May 24, 2022, massacre at Robb Elementary School, which has been a source of immense grief and frustration for the victims' families.
The families have advocated for accountability and justice, including criminal charges against the officers involved. Though not revealing significant new information, the report was praised for its comprehensive nature. Meanwhile, a special grand jury has been selected to determine if responding officers will face criminal charges. Families continue to seek changes in gun laws and more significant measures to prevent such tragedies, with many feeling that the report and Garland's acknowledgment are steps toward justice.
Grand jury called to investigate flawed police response to Uvalde shooting
UCISD vows to follow report recommendations
Texas Company Sues Chicago Over Migrant Drop-off Regulations and Fines
A Texas transportation company, Wynne Transportation, is suing the city of Chicago over its handling of migrant drop-offs, escalating the legal battle over the migrant crisis, as reported by the Associated Press (AP). This case is part of the larger political conflict involving federal immigration policy and the treatment of asylum seekers. Since 2022, Texas has been sending migrants to sanctuary cities, including Chicago, under contracts with bus companies and recently by chartering planes.
According to AP, Chicago has imposed regulations on bus operators, including specific hours for dropping off migrants downtown, resulting in numerous lawsuits and fines against the company's subcontractors. Wynne Transportation's lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims that Chicago’s actions violate constitutional rights by regulating immigration and interstate commerce and unfairly targeting out-of-state operators.
Legal experts interviewed by AP question the absence of migrants as plaintiffs in the lawsuit and the company’s standing to argue on behalf of passengers’ rights. The case heightens tensions between Texas and sanctuary cities, particularly as Chicago continues to receive a significant influx of migrants and struggles with providing adequate resources and shelter.