Head of Government, Clara Brugada, announced that she will send a package of reforms to the Criminal Code of Mexico City to the Congress of Mexico City to strengthen the fight against extortion, including the criminalization of a new crime called "coercion." During the signing of the pact against extortion, the head of the capital government detailed that the initiative will be delivered with the support of the President of the Board of Directors, Jesús Sesma. New crime: coercion or coercive harassment Clara Brugada explained that the reforms seek to align local legislation with recent federal changes, but also to innovate with the creation of a new penal type. "We will be presenting what is necessary to align ourselves with the federal reforms, but also a new crime that we call coercion, which we knew as attempted extortion, today we are presenting it as coercive harassment." Clara Brugada With this change, both completed extortion and its attempt will be considered serious crimes in Mexico City, which will imply more severe sanctions for those who incur in these behaviors. Support for businesses against threats The head of government also assured that her administration will provide direct support to businesses that face threats or extortion attempts. Among the announced measures stand out: Installation of alarms and security cameras Emergency buttons in businesses Immediate response from authorities "All businesses that have some situation of fear or threat have the support of the government." Clara Brugada Neighborhood networks to stop the "protection fee" As part of the comprehensive strategy, Brugada called for strengthening community organization through neighborhood and business networks. She explained that in many cases extortionists operate on the same avenue, collecting a "protection fee" from different businesses in an isolated manner, which increases fear and vulnerability. "We need to organize ourselves so that the extortionists know that on this street there are already networks, instruments to ask for help and government support." Clara Brugada Comprehensive strategy against extortion in CDMX This package of reforms is part of a broader policy of the capital government to combat extortion, one of the crimes that most affects small and medium-sized businesses in the capital.
