TIJUANA – What's keeping a lid on tourism and commerce in the downtown area is the perception that it's not safe, one local business leader said.

Domestic and foreign tourists are actually starting to return little by little to the area, including to the emblematic avenida Revolución, after the district endured

a series of blows in recent years, including the recession and a surge in drug-fueled violence, said Jack Doron, the president of an association of downtown merchants.

But not everyone thinks the problem is just one of perception. It's common to see small businesses – particularly pharmacies and grocery stores – serve clients from behind doors and windows protected with bars.

Ana Velia Gómez, who owns the curios shop El Girasol, on Third and Revolución streets, said her employees often see thieves steal wallets, watches and necklaces from passers-by in broad daylight and without any police presence.

Rebeca Pacheco, who manages the Novedades del Corazón store, between Fifth and Revolución streets, said she's had to spend more on security measures such alarms and locks because thieves have stolen from cash to merchandize in the last two years.

To confront that situation, Baja California Attorney General Rommel Moreno announced a program last week to fight crime directly on the streets of the city's historic downtown sector.

The plan calls for more than 100 state police investigators, called Policía Ministerial, to patrol the area on foot, working directly with business owners, tourists and residents to catch criminals and act as a deterrent.

This is a departure for these agents who traditionally do not come into contact with residents unless they are the victims of a crime. In fact, it's common for crime victims downtown to not know even where to report a crime. The program's goal is give victims someone they can contact directly. About a third of the agents will be bilingual.

The program is meant to augment the crime prevention efforts of the tourism police force and municipal police officers.

State authorities rolled out a similar program at the beginning of the year in the troubled east-side districts of La Mesa and Otay, resulting in the detention of dozens of criminals, Moreno said.

"It's natural for people to demand to feel safe," said Moreno, one of the government leaders who announced the program Friday.

"The city has depressurized from high-profile crimes," he continued. "Now, we're turning our attention to those crimes that injure society, such as robbery in all of its forms. And we're working so tourists can feel safe."

State authorities recently opened an office on avenida Revolución, called Centro de Información y Asistencia Turística, which will provide bilingual information to tourists and refer them to the appropriate agency should they need further assistance seven days a week.

State authorities said they did not have crime statistics for the downtown district though they believe that crime is declining.

Omar.millan@sandiegored.com