Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - With Semana Santa - a time of religious celebration and vacationing of the masses - fast approaching, the Preventive Police, Transportation, Fire and Civil Protection commissioners are getting everything ready to deploy operation "Semana Santa Segura en Vallarta."

Working in coordination with officials from all three levels of government to ensure the safety of locals and visitors during the Easter holidays, the operation, comprising surveillance on roadways and points of mass tourist concentration like beaches and rivers, religious centers, shopping areas and popular neighborhoods, will begin on March 28 and end on April 11.

According to Major Rogelio Hernández de la Mata, 862 members of the Preventive Police, Roads, Civil Protection and Fire Departments will work 12-hour days, dividing their time equally between the colonias and tourist areas. Using the Incident Command System, Municipal Authorities are coordinating preventive actions that will be implemented to reduce the risks that may arise before, during, and after the holiday period in order to safeguard the physical integrity of visitors and residents alike.

On the beaches, a Preventive Police commander will coordinate security actions and surveillance with lifeguard, bombero, Crime Prevention and transportation personnel, as well as the Eighth Naval District and Port Captain. Traffic officers will provide assistance for the beach entrance and exit of vehicles.

La Fuerza Única Jalisco (One Force Jalisco) will work at rivers and streams to provide greater security, plus fire fighters and lifeguards will rotate shifts to oversee swimmers.

According to the Deputy Director of Roads and Transportation, Jesús José Rodríguez Campoy, special vigilance will be implemented in religious centers on April 3rd for the traditional "Way of the Cross" performances, which usually start at 9 am and end at 4 pm. Preventive police and fire fighters will be dispersed between the contingent and the peripheries to prevent criminal acts or accidents, while Transportation agents will coordinate traffic and road closures.

Road patrols with emergency equipment such as jacks, lug wrenches, jumper cables, tools, fuel hoses, water bottles, gas canisters, drive belts, safety cones and flashlights will be installed at strategic locations to provide assistance to motorists in need throughout the holidays.

Parking at City Hall will be exclusively for vehicles of people with disabilities, additional parking will be available at lot number three at the Agustín Flores Contreras Sports Stadium and Sam's parking lot, where foot patrols will redouble surveillance.

As part of 'Operation Breathalyzer,' established check points will be set up every night and at random locations during daylight hours, in order to prevent accidents resulting from the ingestion of alcohol.

Officer Hugo Garcia Moran of the Municipal Coordination of Civil Protection and Fire reported that a pre-hospital care unit will be based in the Gaviotas subdivision, where a doctor, paramedics and ambulances have been assigned. They will also coordinate with private ambulances and the Red Cross.

There will also be first-aid and pre-hospital care modules on the boardwalk and within Lazaro Cardenas Park for timely, prompt and effective care attention.

It is recommended that any eventuality be reported to the emergency number 066, so that adequate and efficient help can be coordinated with the nearest unit's base. All residents and visitors are asked to comply with the recommendations of the lifeguards, to not enter the water when drunk, and to keep a watchful eye on your children.

Finally, citizens are urged to take the necessary safety measures. Anonymous reports of any suspicious person or activity can be made by calling 066 or 089. Should you leave town, be sure to lock up and ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your home until you return.

Original article translated and edited by María Francesca for BanderasNews.com.