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As part of an ongoing effort to promote safety, trust and community accountability in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica, members of the city’s Municipal Police received personalized ID badges Monday during a symbolic ceremony tied to the LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
The initiative, known as Zona Safe, is spearheaded by Vallarta Gay+ Community Center and MOVii (Movimiento por la Igualdad en México). Organizers say the campaign responds to local concerns about visibility and police accountability in a neighborhood that is a favorite of gay residents and visitors.
“This is about ensuring that people know who is responsible for their safety,” said Víctor Espíndola, president of MOVii, during the presentation held at the Vallarta Gay+ Community Center. “We’re providing ID badges to police officers assigned to the Romantic Zone so that residents and visitors alike can identify them. This reflects one of the community’s main demands: transparency and trust in public security.”
Commander José Daniel Hernández, who supervises the area’s tourist police division, accepted the badges on behalf of the local police force and emphasized the importance of this gesture.
“We receive this gift with deep appreciation and responsibility,” Hernández said. “It will help people identify us and build greater trust in our work.”
The Zona Safe campaign, launched publicly on May 20, 2025, includes three key components:
- Prevention – Offering accessible information about city regulations and how to avoid conflicts with law enforcement.
- Eyes on the Street – Strengthening community-based monitoring to prevent abuse and encourage mutual respect in public spaces.
- Follow-up – Providing a digital platform to document incidents and, if desired, route cases to oversight bodies such as Internal Affairs, the State Prosecutor’s Office, or the Jalisco State Human Rights Commission.
Organizers have also launched a reporting tool at www.moviimexico.org/zonasafe, where individuals can submit community reports either anonymously or with legal and community support.
Pedro López, director of Vallarta Gay+ Community Center, said the effort aims to foster an environment where everyone feels safe and seen.
“Zona Safe is about inclusion and action,” López said. “We are committed to a Puerto Vallarta that is secure, inclusive, and free of violence for all.”
Zona Romantica is an area known for its nightlife, LGBTQ+ venues and cultural tourism, is central to Puerto Vallarta’s identity. Community leaders say building better relationships between residents, police, and visitors is key to keeping it that way.
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