SCOTT SIMON, host: Criminals on the run in Tijuana, Mexico may soon be shouting oh, ouch. This week, the police department issued about 60 slingshots to officers. The departments had their guns confiscated by Mexican soldiers a couple of weeks ago after allegations that Tijuana police have been conspiring with drug traffickers. Mexican soldiers and federal police are not patrolling alongside Tijuana officers while investigations go on. But many of the local police say they feel exposed and vulnerable to attack on the streets by drug gangs who are heavily armed. Thirteen police officers were killed in Tijuana last year and more than 300 civilians. So now 60 police officers have been issued the slingshots. They'll use them to fling ball bearings at the bad guys. And if those don't deter street crime, the police will be given plastic straws so they can spew spitballs at their assailants.
In an effort to crack down on corruption, police officers in Tijuana, Mexico, have had their guns confiscated. They've been issued slingshots instead.