Tulum Residents and Officials Discuss Security, Traffic and Towing Complaints

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Residents and municipal officials met in Tulum to take on a list of long-standing grievances, with citizens demanding an end to alleged extortion, police abuse and excessive towing charges.

The meeting, held Monday, Oct. 5 and led by Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo, brought together residents organized under the Tulum Unido movement, who laid out their concerns and pressed for action.

Their central demand was zero tolerance for extortion and police abuse. They also asked the municipal government to study the possibility of operating its own tow trucks and impound lot, so the city can review the costs and conditions under which towing services are provided.

Residents further called for better treatment of police officers and improved working conditions for rank-and-file personnel, arguing that strengthening the forces must be part of any effort to improve security and the way residents and visitors are treated.

The group made clear it recognizes that everyone is obliged to respect the traffic code and to accept the consequences of a violation. But members said they are not seeking to block enforcement of the law or to escape legitimate penalties. Instead, they want authorities to act on the principles of legality, proportionality and transparency, so that a traffic violation cannot become an opportunity for improper charges or for private gain.

Other proposals included strengthening internal oversight, complaint intake, investigations and, where warranted, sanctions for possible misconduct. Residents also asked for safe and accessible channels through which citizens, residents and tourists can report suspected irregularities without fear of retaliation.

After the meeting, Castañón Trejo said the proposals will be studied and that the goal is to reach agreements among the government, residents and the private sector.

“We listened to them, we are going to analyze it, and what we have to do is reach very good agreements and help each other,” he said, adding that a response on the issues raised could come in about 25 days.