Mayor and New Police Chief Pledge Safer Tulum, Begin With Traffic Department Reform

Tulum’s newly appointed head of security, Edgar Aguilar Rico, has begun his tenure with a firm commitment to restoring public trust and strengthening safety in the municipality. One of his first actions has been to launch a coordinated security operation focused on high-growth areas — and to tackle a persistent issue: extortion by traffic officers.

Backed by the Secretariat of Public Security and Citizen Protection (SSPyPC), along with the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) and the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC), Rico’s team has begun joint patrols across strategic points in Tulum to prevent crime and deter criminal activities in developing neighborhoods.

Rico, who was officially sworn in last week, revealed that he had already spent a month conducting on-the-ground research and analyzing crime trends before taking office. A key part of his strategy is focused on protecting Tulum’s core economic engine — tourism — by ensuring that both residents and visitors can feel safe and respected.

Cracking Down on Extortion Practices

A top priority under Rico’s leadership is eliminating extortion practices within the police force, with special emphasis on the Traffic Department, often a source of complaints from both locals and tourists. “Extortion will not be tolerated,” he said, emphasizing that immediate oversight and restructuring in the department are already underway.

Mayor Diego Castañón echoed this commitment, stating that rooting out extortion is crucial for Tulum’s reputation and local quality of life. “Our police must serve and protect — not exploit residents or visitors,” the mayor said.

Strengthening Surveillance and Staffing

To reinforce these efforts, the mayor also announced plans to hire additional officers and expand Tulum’s C2 Surveillance Centre. The second phase of the project, which includes more security cameras and advanced monitoring software, is set to begin next month and is expected to be completed within four to six months.

These measures align with Tulum’s broader goal of balancing rapid growth with effective governance and community safety — critical factors for sustaining confidence among residents, investors, and tourists alike.