Chihuahua Program Helps Safeguard Christmas Bonuses

JUAREZ — Chihuahua State Police State are rolling out a program to provide security to small business owners as they distribute their end-of-year bonuses to employees.

By law, all employees in Mexico get a Christmas bonus called “Aguinaldo.” Police said in a news release thieves and burglars tend to target small business owners and their employees during the holiday seasons.

Business owners will have tocall a policeto request a municipal police officerthat will accompany them to the bank to make their withdrawal. Theofficerwill then stay with the owner until the money is distributed to employees and the employees safely leave the business.

The program begins November 18 and ends December 23, police officials said.