According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the number of tourists visiting Baja California declined by nearly 2 million last year, due both to attacks on tourists and extortions by police officers. Mexican officials are concerned that these numbers will dwindle even further amid the week of violence that just occurred in the Tijuana area. Police and military are working to create a safe zone for tourists, and the tourism secretariat has hired watchdogs to observe the area between the San Ysidro border crossing and the toll road, as well as keep an eye on the way police interact with tourists. Visitors are advised to read travel alerts and other information available from the U.S. State Department.