Crime-wary Americans shun popular strip of Mexican beaches
By: ELLIOT SPAGAT - Associated Press | ∞
PLAYAS DE ROSARITO, Mexico -- Assaults on American tourists have brought hard times to hotels and restaurants that dot Mexican beaches just south of the border from San Diego.
Surfers and kayakers are frightened to hit the waters of the northern stretch of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, long popular as a weekend destination for U.S. tourists. Weddings have been canceled. Lobster joints a few steps from the Pacific were almost empty on the usually busy New Year's weekend.
Americans have long tolerated shakedowns by police who boost salaries by pulling over motorists for alleged traffic violations, and tourists know parts of Baja are a hotbed of drug-related violence. But a handful of attacks since summer by masked, armed bandits -- some of whom used flashing lights to appear like police -- marks a new extreme that has spooked even longtime visitors.
Lori Hoffman, a San Diego-area emergency room nurse, said she was sexually assaulted Oct. 23 by two masked men in front of her boyfriend, San Diego Surfing Academy owner Pat Weber, who was forced to kneel at gunpoint for 45 minutes. They were at a campground with about 30 tents, some 200 miles south of the border.
The men shot out windows of the couple's trailer and forced their way inside, ransacked the cupboards and left with about $7,000 worth of gear, including computers, video equipment and a guitar.
Weber, who has taught dozens of students in Mexico over the last 10 years, plans to surf in Costa Rica or New Zealand. "No more Mexico," said Hoffman, who reported the attack to Mexican police. No arrests have been made.
The Baja California peninsula is known worldwide for clean and sparsely populated beaches, lobster and margaritas and blue waters visited by whales and dolphins. Surfers love the waves; fishermen catch tuna, yellowtail and marlin. Food and hotels are cheap.
News of harrowing assaults on American tourists has begun to overshadow that appeal in the northern part of the peninsula, home to drug gangs and the seedy border city of Tijuana. The comparatively isolated southern tip, with its tony Los Cabos resort, remains safer and is still popular with Hollywood celebrities, anglers and other foreign tourists.
Local media and surfing Web sites that trumpeted Baja in the past have reported several frightening crimes that U.S. and Mexican officials consider credible. Longtime visitors are particularly wary of a toll road near the border that runs through Playas de Rosarito -- Rosarito Beach.
In late November, as they returned from the Baja 1000 off-road race, a San Diego-area family was pulled over on the toll road by a car with flashing lights. Heavily armed men held the family hostage for two hours. They eventually released them but stole the family's truck.
Before dawn on Aug. 31, three surfers were carjacked on the same stretch of highway. Gunmen pulled them over in a car with flashing lights, forced them out of their vehicles and ordered one to kneel. They took the trucks and left the surfers.
Aqua Adventures of San Diego scrapped its annual three-day kayak trip to scout for whales in January, ending a run of about 10 years. Customers had already been complaining about longer waits to return to the U.S.; crime gave them another reason to stay away.
"People are just saying, 'No way.' They don't want to deal with the risk," said owner Jen Kleck, who has sponsored trips to Baja about five times a year but hasn't been since July.
Charles Smith, spokesman for the U.S. consulate in Tijuana, said the U.S. government has not found a widespread increase in attacks against Americans, but he acknowledged many crimes go unreported. The State Department has long warned motorists on Mexico's border to watch for people following them, though no new warnings have been issued.
Mexican officials acknowledge crime has threatened a lifeblood of Baja's economy. In Playas de Rosarito, a city of 130,000, police were forced to surrender their weapons last month for testing to determine links to any crimes. Heavily armed men have patrolled City Hall since a failed assassination attempt on the new police chief left one officer dead. On Thursday the bullet-riddled bodies of a Tijuana police official and another man were found dumped near the beach.
"We cannot minimize what's happening to public safety," said Oscar Escobedo Carignan, Baja's new secretary of tourism. "We're going to impose order ... We're indignant about what's happening."
Tourist visits to Baja totaled about 18 million in 2007, down from 21 million the previous year, Escobedo said. Hotel occupancy dropped about 5 percentage points to 53 percent.
Hugo Torres, owner of the storied Rosarito Beach Hotel and the city's new mayor, estimates the number of visitors to Rosarito Beach since summer is down 30 percent.
In the city's Puerto Nuevo tourist enclave, which offers $20 lobster dinners and $1 margaritas, restaurant managers said sales were down as much as 80 percent from last year. One Saturday afternoon in October, masked bandits wielding pistols walked the streets and kidnapped two men -- an American and a Spanish citizen -- who were later released unharmed. Two people who were with them were shot and wounded.
Omar Armendariz, who manages a Puerto Nuevo lobster restaurant, is counting on the new state and city governments to make tourists feel safer. He has never seen fewer visitors in his nine years on the job.
"It's dead," he said.
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WhoWhat wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:07 PM:How many times and how many ways can it be shown that Baja has become a cesspool of lowlifes and criminals, the country cannot police itself because the police and the Army are completely corrupt. It's time for a revolution. Americans stay home, keep your tourist dollars here.
Linda wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:33 PM:I'm getting ripped-off right here in my own backyard by illegal aliens, there's no way I'm going down there to spend my money and then get harrassed by the corupt police and the police impersonators that take your money, your car and assault you. Maybe some of their own people (illegal aliens) should head back down there and support their sub-standard country.
MEANWHILE BACK IN MEXICO wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:33 PM:Two bodies were found near Rosarito Beach a few days ago. One of them may be the Tijuana police commander who was abducted from his house Sunday. The warmth and charm of Mexico, our friendly neighbor to the south. Here we see the quaint local custom of kidnapping and mudering the police chief...
Reptile wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:49 PM:This has been happening to San Diego residents who vacation in Mexico for years. The thing that pisses me off is how every San Diego local news outlet refuses to report on these crimes. Recently a family of four was pulled over by a vehicle with flashing lights, then they were driven off road into the boonies and subsequently held at gunpoint and robbed. The father was taken to the back of their truck where they made him unhitch their trailer, because they were too stupid to know how to unhitch it themselves. This all the while the mother and young daughter were harrassed and their teenage son was held at gunpoint blindfolded. So was this story reported on by any San Diego news station? NOT BY A SINGLE ONE. The only way the local people heard about this incident was because the woman went on a local morning adio show hosted by Rick Roberts, a staunch anti-illegal alien, anti-Mexico corruption crusader.
CRIME :U.S DEPARTMENT OF STATE wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:53 PM:CRIME: Crime in Mexico continues at high levels, and it is often violent, especially in Mexico City, Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Acapulco, and the state of Sinaloa. Other metropolitan areas have lower, but still serious, levels of crime. Low apprehension and conviction rates of criminals contribute to the high crime rate. U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are encouraged to report the incident to the nearest police headquarters and to the nearest U.S. consular office. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html
Why Would Anyone Want To Go There? wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:57 PM:Criminal assaults occur on highways throughout Mexico; travelers should exercise extreme caution at all times, avoid traveling at night, and may wish to use toll (“cuota”) roads rather than the less secure “free” (“libre”) roads whenever possible. Always keep your car doors locked and your windows up while driving, whether on the highway or in town. When in heavy traffic or when stopped in traffic, leave enough room between vehicles to maneuver and escape, if necessary. In addition, U.S. citizens should not hitchhike with, accept rides from or offer rides to, strangers anywhere in Mexico. Tourists should not hike alone in backcountry areas, nor walk alone on lightly-frequented beaches, ruins or trails. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html
Bill wrote on Jan 5, 2008 10:59 PM:Can you imangine what kind of ranting would go on from the illegal aliens if we were to treat them like we are treated down in Mexico (B.C.). This will only filter to the U.S. in due time. Our (Americans) so called Civil Rights are going right down the toilet, we are becoming the minority, when we stand up for our rights we get harrassed by the ACLU and other migrant activists.
You guys are using mexico as a scapegoat ! wrote on Jan 5, 2008 11:06 PM:You are all using Mexico as a scapegoat at least according to NCT writer RICHARD RIEHL. Yea right. What do you say about the horrible crime in Baja Mr. Riehl? And as far as illegals being the new scapegoat because of the Minutemen Mr. Riehl, well in the last survey of four SW states all but 5% see illegal immigration as a problem.So I guess that means the MM influenced 95% of our population or maybe 95% of our population are MM. Who knows. Mexico is corrupt plain and simple and the illegals who come here obviously don't respect our laws.
Marcos wrote on Jan 5, 2008 11:09 PM:Stay out of Mexico! Why would anyone take the chance.
To Reptile wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:57 AM:You're absolutely right. I've even noticed that the Mexican board of tourism advertises on our local news channels!
Phobe wrote on Jan 6, 2008 9:43 AM:The earth is flat...Don't go anywhere but the USA. If you do you will fall off the face of the earth and into the black hole. If we can finish undoing Mexico, our economy will prosper. Please help support the rest of the world since Mexico already sends us 1.2 billion barrels of oil everyday and we need more. Lets stay in Iraq and perhaps go back to Vienam and finish the job.one more thing, don't learn any foriegn languages since they take up the few brain cells the xenophobes have left.
Your's Truly
Xenophobe
To Phobe wrote on Jan 6, 2008 10:21 AM:You are not funny. The facts suggest otherwise. Why go to Mexico and be a TARGET. Now more then ever we need a fence on our southern border. How can you defend millions of Illegal Aliens, the drugs, and extra crime and poverty that are being imported into this country? I am concerned about the safety of my family and the future for my children. Does that make me a PHOBE? I think not. Why is the concept of respecting the laws of the United States so hard of a concept for people like you? R / Skip
Where is Edward? wrote on Jan 6, 2008 10:28 AM:I still have not found Edward's Sunday Story. Maybe after that last one by Arcela, the Pro-Illegal alien bunch are taking a break.
Karl wrote on Jan 6, 2008 10:31 AM:Pull your head out of the sand and get a life Phobe
Why You Need Mexican Auto Insurance wrote on Jan 6, 2008 11:11 AM:1) US and Canadian auto insurance is not recognized by Mexican authorities. 2) If you do not have Mexican liability insurance, you may be prevented from departing the country even if you require lifesaving medical care, and you are almost certain to spend some time in jail. 3) Your US or Canadian insurance does not cover theft or physical damage to your vehicle while in Mexico.
Remember Donald Kraft wrote on Jan 6, 2008 11:52 AM:Donald Kraft was pulling onto the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road August 24, 1999, when he collided with a car driven by Antonio Garcia Sanchez, a government official in charge of human rights and citizen protection in Baja California. Don Kraft, 44, suffered a broken neck, but Mexican officials would not let him be transported to medical facilities in the United States until his family posted a bond, to cover the accident. The resulting 18 hour bureaucratic delay was a factor in Mr. Craft’s death. Mr. Kraft had been on vacation with his wife and family.
John wrote on Jan 6, 2008 12:28 PM:I think we should incorporate some of the Mexican laws here-no insurance, stay in jail until you pay. You see it wouldn't affect us law obiding citizens because we have insurance, and it would recoop the damages done by uninsured drivers.
Juan wrote on Jan 6, 2008 12:47 PM:You forget, "John", that U.S. laws do not apply to those in this country illegally.
El Jefe wrote on Jan 6, 2008 12:58 PM:We are headed in the same direction here in California because of the increase in gang activity. Many of these gangs feel immune from being turned in by other Hispanics & roam around causing havoc almost at will.
I personally know several small Hispanic Businesses (store front type) that have been robbed & threatened by Latino gangs & the owners are fearful of reporting these incidents as they have been threatened & live in the same communities here in the North County as the gang members.
????? wrote on Jan 6, 2008 2:37 PM:if it's too dangerous down there, don't go. What's the problem?
To ????? wrote on Jan 6, 2008 3:10 PM:Please, how about you going down there and giving us a report.
I think the headline should be rewritten wrote on Jan 6, 2008 3:24 PM:And I think it should instead read:
Crime-WEARY Americans shun popular strip of Mexican beaches
MEXICO TRAVEL ADVISORY 10/24/2007, expires on 04/15/2008 wrote on Jan 6, 2008 4:24 PM:This Public Announcement updates information for U.S. citizens on security situations in Mexico that may affect their activities while in that country. This supersedes the previous Public Announcement for Mexico dated April 19, 2007. This Public Announcement expires on April 15, 2008. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html
Consular Information Sheet wrote on Jan 6, 2008 4:26 PM:Americans planning travel to Mexico should read Intercountry Adoption Mexico, International Parental Child Abduction Mexico, Mexico Public Announcement, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement available on the Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html
Tiky wrote on Jan 6, 2008 4:32 PM:I feel so sorry for the little people who sell fruits and have small stores that rely on the Americans. I have lived in San Diego for fifty years and remember all the times I went down to the markets and had lunch in TJ and shopped on Revolution Ave. It was fun to take my visitors and show them how international living in San Diego was. But no more. It has become scary to go to Mexico. What a shame! The Mexican people are so great. It is the few brigands and bad apples that are ruining it for the whole country, the border towns and the beaches. If the Mexican government can't do something or won't, then we must protect ourselves by closing our borders and being vigilant about tunnels and bring our National Guard back from Iraq to protect our borders. Why is our National Guard sent out of our country anyway?
Casey wrote on Jan 6, 2008 4:34 PM:I take exception to author Spagat's characterization of surfers and kayakers as being "frightened." If there are thirty foot waves rolling in and surfers and kayakers stay out of the water, should we label them as "frightened" of the waves, or just being cautious? When parents don't bring their families to Mission Beach because of the plethora of drunken louts and petty crime, should we label them as being "frightened" or as being prudent? Baja is slowly descending into chaos, as is the rest of Mexico. Its oil reserves are almost depleted, corn prices have skyrocketed (the primary food for most of its people) because it is being exported as biofuel, the maquiladoras are being off-shored, and political corruption is endemic. Look for an increase in banditry that will then evolve into open rebellion against the government.
Tired of the NCT wrote on Jan 6, 2008 4:39 PM:Censor.... Censor.... Censor.
The War In Mexico wrote on Jan 6, 2008 5:06 PM:The war is all about the provision of huge amounts of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine into the U.S. market. While the illegal aliens send back an estimated $25 billion U.S. dollars to Mexico, the drug market represents an estimated $40 billion. The lifeblood of America is being poisoned while money that would have been legitimately earned by Americans is drained off to become an essential element of the Mexican economy.
nowhining wrote on Jan 6, 2008 5:21 PM:shakedowns are SO passe nowadays in Baja... ... No thanks, you will NEVER see me in Baja, my friends.
Mertz wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:09 PM:And some people wonder why we don't want illegals in our country. What is the Mexican government doing to stop this and protect Americans spending money in their country? Boycott Mexico!!!
PLAYAS DE ROSARITO, Mexico Dec 18, 2006 wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:29 PM:An unknown number of assailants attacked the newly appointed police chief of Playas de Rosarito, Jorge Eduardo Montero Alvarez, on Dec. 18, killing one policeman and injuring at least one other. The attack happened at about 1 p.m. when approximately 10 vehicles pulled up to the building where Montero Alvarez and his bodyguards were getting out of their vehicles and the assailants opened fire with high-caliber weapons. The police repelled the attack, returning fire with AK-47 and R-15 rifles; Montero Alvarez was not hurt. Three vans spotted in the attack were later found abandoned nearby.
Texan wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:31 PM:This is so frightening that these criminals/terrorists are taking over an area that provided both recreation ,meals, hotels,etc for US citizens and countless dollars for the Mexican owners of numerous businesses on the other side.It has become a dangerous corridor and they are cutting the financial throats of their people.Of course thugs have no regard for their country or people anywhere.
HELP STOP RAMPANT MEXICAN CRIME wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:31 PM:Life is cheap down Mexico way in tooooo many places. Is it worth the risk of being murdered, robbed, maimed?? Do yourself and your families a favor and choose a safer place to enjoy the sun and beaches, and....send the STRONGEST message possible to the MEXICAN GOVERNMENT--BOYCOTT MEXICAN TOURISM. Sure, many Mexicans will have their income hit in the short-term. BUT...all it takes is for the word to get out about the deplorable state of corruption, murder and robbery south of the border to eventually bring tourism to a trickle there anyway. JUST SAY "NO" TO VISITING MEXICO and force the powers that be there to get serious about crime control. P.S.---Remember: it is *Mexicans* who are the biggest target of devastating crime there. You can help in this way.
Carl wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:33 PM:I think you have to be an absolute idiot to travel to any of these lawless countries. What's wrong with staying in America for vacations? We're certainly not crime free in the states, of course, but I'll take my chances. I certainly feel for tourists that are victimized in other countries, but there is a known risk factor going in. You couldn't PAY ME to vacation in Mexico. It's just common sense. It's close proximity and relative familiarity gives Americans a false sense of security. It's a messed up country and messed up society.
Phobe wrote on Jan 6, 2008 7:56 PM:My -My -my...TSK...TSK...TSK....Looks like war boyz...yep I tell ya, them thar Mexicans need to be straightened out. Why next thing ya know they will join that Hugo Chavez and won't wanna send that 1.2 billion barrels of oil we like everyday....It our job to insure we keep the staus quo government in power....Increasing our imports from overseas will make everyone like us even more...golly gee, we phobies are hyper-intelligent beings.
To Phobe wrote on Jan 6, 2008 8:41 PM:Mexico's oil industry is, in large part, a direct reflection of the country's economic well-being. As those who have been following global oil output are aware, production in Mexico has started to wane, and just might decline very rapidly. Since the Mexican federal budget depends very heavily on oil revenues, the country may be faced with some tough times ahead, leading to increased pressures among its citizens to migrate north into the U.S. Making for a potentially precarious situation, Mexico's energy sector lacks diversification and is thus very vulnerable to sudden fluctuations in production. Some industry experts have predicted that the country could run out of oil in the next 11 years, if discoveries do not materialize.
Moslty it is dumb Americans wrote on Jan 6, 2008 8:56 PM:WEber had a load of expensive gear, including a computer, that is DUMB DUMB DUMB. ... the off-roading guy had an expensive truck, and yes the media did report on it. I just got back from Baja, south of Ensenada it is fine. The only adjustment I made is not traveling between Ensenada and the border after dark. I love it down there now, way less idiot Americans.
Rosarito Beach wrote on Jan 6, 2008 9:10 PM:The mayor of Rosarito Beach has asked for additional state and federal troops to deal with escalating violence there that culminated most recently in a paramilitary attack on the town's police station, apparently an attempt to assassinate the police chief. The commando-style attack killed one of the police chief's bodyguards and injured four other people. It was only the latest in a string of violent commando assaults on police in Baja California, apparently by drug cartels. Yes, I definitely have concerns about going down there.
Sylvia wrote on Jan 6, 2008 9:15 PM:Authorities in Tijuana are preparing for the heavy rains. Weather officials predict the same amount of rain as 1993 when storms killed 28 people in Tijuana and left about 5,000 homeless. Tijuana still suffers from overcrowded neighborhoods and drainage problems that contributed to massive flooding in 1993. Many newcomers live in makeshift homes on hillsides. They are simply known as barrios or shantytowns.
$100 wrote on Jan 6, 2008 9:21 PM:with oil $100 a barrel I think the Mexicans will do pretty well just like Russia, Iran and Venezuela has.
Nancy wrote on Jan 6, 2008 9:44 PM:There was also a rash of attacks and carjackings in August of 2006, but that one was covered up more effectively and most people have forgotten about it. But, “Baja 1000” car racers have not forgotten the murder of Duane Curtis on a lonely beach last year during the 2006 race. That memory is probably what prompted them to arrive late at the race this year, leave early, and report all crimes to the US press. Again, these incidents are nothing new, but the tourists and sportsmen are fed up with them and finally going public. Covering up incidents of crime against American tourists has long been a basic goal for Baja California officials.
Nancy wrote on Jan 6, 2008 9:51 PM:In the past, drug crime in Baja California did not affect tourists or the American community as much. Previously, the shootings and kidnappings seemed to be directed at police or drug dealers, and Americans were largely unaffected. Now however, the new carjacking methodology does specifically target Americans, especially naive tourists. An unmarked vehicle, usually a pick up or SUV, flashes police lights and sirens at a car with California plates driving on the toll road. Believing that the car is a police cruiser, the American pulls over to the side of the road and is attacked by armed commandos. Anyone with a sharp eye can learn to identify these vehicles with the lights and sirens, and will soon realize that many of these cars roam the streets, sometimes in caravans. This is a new phenomenon that has emerged over the last year, one that represents a serious threat to American tourists as well as Mexico’s important tourism industry.
Men in Black Baja’s New Tourist Attraction? wrote on Jan 6, 2008 9:54 PM:Squadrons of armed commandos, the “Men in Black” (“MIBs”), have become bolder and bolder in the past few months. Although shootings, kidnappings, and drug cartel mayhem is nothing new in Baja California, these incidents used to occur primarily in Tijuana. Now, however, the commandos have been making public appearances in Rosarito, Ensenada, and in tourist areas. It doesn’t take many such incidents to totally ruin tourism, but fortunately the US press is not emphasizing the issue. Baja tourism officials are scrambling to reassure the public that extreme measures are being taken to protect visitors, but in reality the situation is out of their control.
Dudley Do Rite wrote on Jan 6, 2008 9:58 PM:The recent spate of carjackings and violent attacks on surfers received considerable coverage in the US press, and terrified many people into canceling their plans to travel south. Although the carjackings problem suddenly grabbed headlines, really the problem was not new. Similarly, assaults by commando squads have been going on in Baja for years, but the tourists are oblivious. However, they will not stay oblivious for long if commando squad attacks continue to occur in tourist areas.
Mexico City wrote on Jan 6, 2008 10:05 PM:A cousin of Mexican President Felipe Calderón was abducted at gunpoint, beaten and held for several hours, on january 3, 2008.
miguelina wrote on Jan 6, 2008 10:07 PM:Why am I not surprised? My travel agent told me people have stopped asking for mexico vacations, but she stopped selling them anyway.
El Jefe wrote on Jan 6, 2008 11:01 PM:To Phobe - All of Mexico lacks diversification. Their plan A doesn't work & their plan "?" doesn't exist. Government officials are mainly happy with the status quo as long as they can continue to loot the treasury get out of the country just in time & retire to a friendly country with their maids & stolen treasure. Our Presidents have to many benefits plus a generous retirement so we're stuck with them into old age.
Driving to Baja? No Passport Needed wrote on Jan 7, 2008 11:59 AM:New passport requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative are confusing some U.S. citizens, according to Baja California tourism representatives. “We’ve had hotels reporting cancellations because people in the U.S. believe that passports now are required to travel to and from Baja by land,” said Javier Sanchez, director of the Rosarito Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. For now, a driver’s license or other proof of citizenship works fine. “For land and sea travel, nothing has changed.” ( SINCE WHEN DOES A DRIVER'S LICENSE CONSTITUTE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP ) ( I ALSO WORRY ABOUT WHO CAN VOTE IN THE UNITED STATES WITH SIMPLY A DRIVER'S LICENSE )
Peso's value: wrote on Jan 7, 2008 4:45 PM: The peso closed 2007 at a value of 10.88 to the U.S. dollar. The peso closed the week at 10.93 to the dollar.
Chris wrote on Jan 7, 2008 5:40 PM:My friend went to Mexico a couple weeks ago with his friend and while coming back they were robbed by the police just b4 they cross the bridge to San Diego. The cops told them they "4" needed to pay them "the cops" $20 US dollar each. They were also searched and their cellphones were taken. I've been to Jamaica which is known to be bad and nothing like that ever hapened b4.
Skip wrote on Jan 8, 2008 7:53 AM:Too many Americans are complacent about traveling to Mexico these days. They figure that since it is so close that they are relatively safe. Wrong Answer! Even for Members of the U.S. Military we are taught early on that there is no “Status of Armed Forces Agreement" between the two countries and if we get in trouble then we are on our own. You should ask yourself these questions, when was the last time one of our Police stations was attacked by armed men with AK-47’s, and hand grenades, and missile launchers? When was the last time four severed heads were thrown accords a dance floor at a local disco. How many Chiefs of police have been assassinated in the last year? When was the last time a singer or news reporter has been assassinated? Most of the time the bad guys aim for their fellow Mexican Nationals, but occasionally Americans get in the way. Sometimes these days even the Americans are the targets. Remember if you go to Mexico, they are a sovereign country and if you need help down there it may be severely limited.
RobertM wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:20 AM:When I was a child I learned about Simon Rodia and Watts towers and always wanted to see them. A few years ago I took my family to LA and we went to Watts just to see the towers. When we stopped, a passing fireman told us the area was not safe and we shouldn't linger or be there at all, really. It was a dangerous, crime ridden area. We left. There is no reason to go someplace where the chances of being a victim of crime is high. I grew up camping in Ensenada several times each year and loved it. I won't go now. The risk is too great.
Third world wrote on Jan 9, 2008 6:07 PM:Traveling to any third world country is dangerous. If you think Mexico is bad go to Nicarauga, I was in fear for my life most of the time I was there. The police are crooked, the people desperate and the way of life cheap. In Mexico the burden of proof is on you, not the authorites if you get arrested or accused of a crime. You take your chances going down there.
esteban wrote on Jan 10, 2008 3:05 PM:I'd love to see one of those punk... federales try to rob me. They get some hot lead. I pack when I go down there.
Roberto1 wrote on Jan 11, 2008 1:40 AM:To the first world...I know lets stop all trade with Mexico. Better still pretend its not there.
jsc wrote on Jan 12, 2008 9:59 PM:When I lived in Mexico, I lived like a Mexican. Travelers should travel like Mexicans, then they will not be targets. Take the bus, don't drive your car there. Learn to speak Spanish. Stay at the resorts that Mexicans go to. I have traveled in Baja California, BajaCalifornia Sur, Sinaloa, Jalisco, Nayarit, Sonora, Colima, Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas and several other Mexican states. Don't carry expensive electronics or wear designer clothing. Keep a low profile and don't get drunk or high. The 1st time I had an AK-47 pointed at me in Mexico was when I entered a bank in San Blas, Nayarit (security guard). The 2nd time it was government troops in Sinaloa searching for weapons and drugs. I have never been threatened nor robbed in Mexico. And I always am polite and deferential to the police, immigration, port authorities and the military while I am there. You need to be cautious, but you can safely travel and/or live in Mexico as long as you speak Spanish, don't drive, and obey all their laws.
Who Wants To Go To Baja? Cops and Family Executed Again wrote on Jan 15, 2008 3:01 PM:Today A Police official , his wife, and two daughters were assinated at their home Tijuana. Yesterday two other top Tijuana Police Officials were found executed. For a country that does not believe in Executions, the total number of crime executions is in the hundreds, and that is just for the last year. r/ Skip
"The number of executed grows" wrote on Jan 15, 2008 7:29 PM:El Informador (Guadalajara, Jalisco) 1/15/08
"The number of executed grows"
(note: this updates both killing totals reported above even further)
"The number of persons executed during yesterday and this dawn now adds up to 20, in one of the most violent time periods in the country."
So far this month, Mexico's total is now 111.
You are Not Safe in Mexico wrote on Jan 18, 2008 8:51 AM:Authorities say they've found six executed kidnapping victims inside a Tijuana house yesterday. The violence is everywhere.
It Is getting Worse Down There wrote on Jan 18, 2008 10:34 AM:Local news is reporting that 2 of the 5 men that were aprehended in today's gun battle in the La Mesa area of Tijuana, are local police officers Carlos Alberto Espinoza Vega and Roman Gomez. Gomez works for the intelligence department of the prosecutor's office.
Aftermath wrote on Jan 18, 2008 11:52 AM:A San Diego radio station was advising Americans not to go into Tijauna this morning. This is the busiest border crossing in the world, I wonder how this will effect what people do?
Bob wrote on Jan 18, 2008 12:07 PM:Well aftermath you basicaaly have two choices, 1) Stay home and live, or 2) go to mexico and take your chances, maybe you come home, maybe you don't. I for one don't plan to ever go back down to that third world country, and have a real fear that this violence will come up San Diego way. The US Government is doing nothing to control the open border.
TIJUANA SHOOT OUT wrote on Jan 18, 2008 8:46 PM:Search YouTube " Tijuana Shoot Out ". It is a warzone down there. You would have to be nuts to even think about going south of our border. Not counting this firefight with 6 casualaties, 11 people have been killed in Tijuna just this week.
Jake wrote on Jan 18, 2008 10:41 PM:Its no different there than the old wild west. The place is a banana republic. 3rd world at its best. Now the scary part is that 20+ million of their people are living here illegally. What exactly does that say for their culture ?
Mexico Erupts in War, Drug Killings Out of Control wrote on Jan 19, 2008 10:38 AM:At least 12 people were shot and killed in the border city of Tijuana alone this week. Now the Mexican government is asking for help, tracing the American guns it says contribute to the violence....
IT'S COMING HERE ! wrote on Jan 19, 2008 12:23 PM:A U.S. Border Patrol agent was struck and killed Saturday morning by a Hummer in the Imperial Sand Dunes as the vehicle was fleeing law enforcement officers, according to witnesses in the dunes.
15 EXECUTED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS wrote on Jan 19, 2008 9:22 PM:In events linked to organized crime 15 persons were murdered in the last 24 hours in the states of Sinaloa, Sonora, Baja California, Chihuahua and Tamaulipas. SOURCE: El Universal (Mexico City) 1/19/08
Melody wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:00 PM:I know from my personal experience with my husband DON, don't ever, ever go to MEXICO...they are great people who have caring hearts but they have real sick government officials...who money is their only motivation in life...not people and not life ...nothing to do with being humane to others... if we never would have gone...my 3 boys would have a father today and I wouldn't be a widow trying to get on with life...
please listen...this is real stuff....PLEASE DON"T GO TO MEXICO
LYnn wrote on Mar 1, 2008 10:20 PM:Baja may not be safe at the moment, but there are other sites in Mexico that are very safe. Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum, Huatulco....very beautiful and safe. I travel to the Yucatan 3 times a year as a solo women...very safe, no problemas. My heart goes out to the persona's living in norte baja who are no longer receiving a income due to all the recent crime. Is there anything we can do to help the innocent people who live there?
James wrote on Jun 5, 2008 10:13 AM:Unfortunate for the folks involved and unfortunate to see so many bigots, racist, white supremacist and the likes. You are no better than those criminals you talk about. Karma does come back at you and threefold.
Frank wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:21 PM:The problem isn't limited to Mexico. I live in Lake Arowhead, Ca. and the authorities there are experiencing a dramatic increase of Mexican nationalists attacking people out for a wilderness drive.Same M.O.: they assult them and take their stuff. Some victims had to be hospitalized. We have seen a spike in property thefts and (sexual) assults on citizens in many of our mountain communities, as well. Very often it is the law abiding Mexians who are the victims. Thanks Pres.Bush.
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