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México City has struggled with its security in the past, but has made great strides in correcting the problem of corrupt police and safety in the city. Here is a breakdown of officers visitors might encounter:

• Preventive Police (in blue uniforms): The preventive police are authorized to detain people who flagrantly commit crimes, but are not authorized to issue traffic citations or collect traffic fines. Various special teams fall under this category: Preventive Motorcycle Patrols, the Female Preventive Police (assigned to traffic work and environmental inspections).
  
• Mounted police: Mounted police patrol parks and gardens and have all the powers that blue-uniform officers do; they are also deployed for crime prevention during large street demonstrations.
  
• Tourist police: The tourist police assist visitors. They are Spanish-English bilingual and can be distinguished by badges that feature neighborhood logos.
  
• The Federal Preventive Police (in gray uniforms): Specially-trained paramilitary officers whose principal duty is fighting organized crime.
  
• The Grenadier Corps: When extraordinary means are required to assure public safety.

In case of emergency, here are the numbers to call:
México City Police and Emergency Services: 060
Police Detectives: 061
Red Cross: 065
Fire Department: 068
Locatel (emergencies, missing persons, information): 5658-1111
Human Rights Commission: 5229-5600
Tourist-Aid Police: 5250-8221
Federal Highway Police: 5677-2227
Federal Preventive Police: 01-800-440-3690
Federal Consumer-Affairs Commission: 5568-8722
Emergencies (cellular telephones only): 911