BajaNomad - Highway Safety

Highway Safety

bajaguy - 6-4-2008 at 07:51 AM

Ensenada.com has an interesting video clip on highway safety from TJ to Ensenada. Click on the SCORE BAJA 500 link.

http://www.ensenada.com/

[Edited on 6-4-2008 by bajaguy]

DENNIS - 6-4-2008 at 07:56 AM

Very optomistic, for sure.
Thanks Terry.

Capt. George - 6-4-2008 at 08:15 AM

Let's hope it continues along these lines....good video. gracias george

BajaSerg - 6-5-2008 at 09:34 AM

Good info thanks

CaboRon - 6-5-2008 at 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaSerg
Good info thanks

A new day is coming (hopefully) ....

What a change from the old police motto "Screw the Gringo"

Do you think that they are actually getting the message that you can't kill the goose and expect to still get the golden eggs ?

Or is this just a fleeting break from business as usual ...

It is encouraging though .

CaboRon

Woooosh - 6-5-2008 at 10:38 AM

I don't think they have any other option than to put on a happy face and hope for the best. Come on, Torres- the Rosarito Mayor owns the Rosarito Beach hotel and the new condotel project going up on the same property. The priorty in Mexico (as everywhere) is about the money. They'll suppress or deny any bad news as ususal.

I can't see any reason why the secuirty situation would have improved, although the bad news and anecdotal stories about violence aimed at tourists has stopped. Rosarrito beach tourism is still way down- my Mexican neighbors are complaining about the lack of business. One restaurant here- the Lobster Shack- didn't even bother to reopen this season yet at least.

fulano - 6-5-2008 at 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
I don't think they have any other option than to put on a happy face and hope for the best. Come on, Torres- the Rosarito Mayor owns the Rosarito Beach hotel and the new condotel project going up on the same property. The priorty in Mexico (as everywhere) is about the money. They'll suppress or deny any bad news as ususal.

I can't see any reason why the secuirty situation would have improved, although the bad news and anecdotal stories about violence aimed at tourists has stopped. Rosarrito beach tourism is still way down- my Mexican neighbors are complaining about the lack of business. One restaurant here- the Lobster Shack- didn't even bother to reopen this season yet at least.

I couple was kidnapped out of a taxi in Rosarito a couple of days ago and they are still missing.

CaboRon - 6-5-2008 at 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
I can't see any reason why the secuirty situation would have improved, although the bad news and anecdotal stories about violence aimed at tourists has stopped. Rosarrito beach tourism is still way down- my Mexican neighbors are complaining about the lack of business. One restaurant here- the Lobster Shack- didn't even bother to reopen this season yet at least.

Lack of Business : Well then our boycott has been succesful. No other message has gotten thru.

Tell your Mexican neighbors that they will have to do something they aren't used to. VOTE for honest administration ... PARTISAPATE in government ... Maybe they might even need another revolution ....

The statis quo ain't going to cut it anymore.

And cut the racist crap and start looking at gringos as something other than an opportunity for ripoff. Most of us did not fight in the Mexican/US wars.

CaboRon

MexicoTed - 6-5-2008 at 02:06 PM

Hi Fulano:

Tell us more about the couple who was kidnapped....

Ted

Roberto - 6-5-2008 at 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon
Well then our boycott has been succesful. No other message has gotten thru.

What boycott? And when you say "our" who is the we?

CaboRon - 6-5-2008 at 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon
Well then our boycott has been succesful. No other message has gotten thru.

What boycott? And when you say "our" who is the we?

NOT YOU

fulano - 6-5-2008 at 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MexicoTed
Hi Fulano:

Tell us more about the couple who was kidnapped....

Ted

Here's the article.

"LOCALIZAN TAXI EN QUE VIAJABA PAREJA SECUESTRADA EN ROSARITO
Autor: CONRADO OSUNA MURILLO

PLAYAS DE ROSARITO.- El secretario de Seguridad Pública Municipal, Jorge Eduardo Montero Alvarez, informó que ya fue localizado el taxi económico color amarillo en el que viajaban dos personas, un hombre y una mujer, que fueron levantados ayer antes de las doce de la noche en una de las calles de la Colonia Ejido Mazatlán.
Dijo que aún no se ha recibido ninguna denuncia de los familiares de las dos personas que presuntamente fueron privadas de su libertad.
Precisó que el taxi se encontró en el Cañón Rosarito, mientras que la camioneta Bronco, donde viajaban los presuntos secuestradores, no se ha localizado aún ."

It says a man and a woman were kidnapped around midnight from the streets of Colonia Ejido Mazatlán, the taxicab was found in Rosarito canyon, the Bronco driven by the kidnappers has not been located. So far, the police have not been contacted by any family members of the kidnapped couple.

http://el-mexicano.info/nota.aspx?idNota=306887&esSecc=t...

Ken Cooke - 6-5-2008 at 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
I can't see any reason why the secuirty situation would have improved, Rosarrito beach tourism is still way down.

Driving into Tijuana yesterday afternoon, the traffic was way down. No jams into Tijuana. The insurance place that I go reported business is way down as well. The streets in Tijuana are much less crowded, and people are happy to see me and my American friend when we do business in their restaurants or auto parts places.

I have noticed plenty of new security on all of the streets I have vsited here in Tijuana, and it reminds me of my travels in Central and South America where the governments there have to fight to preserve their democracies from the FARC, Shining Path rebels, etc.

fulano - 6-5-2008 at 10:43 PM

Unless you read the Mexican papers, it's hard to understand just how profound the problem is in TJ. The English papers only pick up a small percentage of what's going on. Here's an article just from today that just blows me away:

http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=365669

It's too long to translate but here are some highlights:

1) Business in private hospitals and clinics is off 90%.
2) Some doctors say they are only getting one or two consultations per week.
3) Clinics are only getting one surgery per week.
4) Just last Tuesday, some doctors were in an operating room attending a birth when assailants entered and robbed everybody. the doctors didn't know whether to attend to the birth or give money to the assailants.
5) At public hospitals, the robbers know when it is payday and rob the doctors as they leave the hospital.
6) For patients that come to the hospitals, they get their cars stolen, their personal effects stolen, and then the police come in and extort them.
7) The Mexican Army in TJ is receiving no less than 7 reports of assaults or kidnappings per day.

[Edited on 6-6-2008 by fulano]

Ken Cooke - 6-6-2008 at 01:04 AM

Last night at an ATM machine in Downtown TJ I had 2 guys try to rob me for my $$. One guy tried to push open the door to the ATM, but I dead bolted the door so he couldn't come inside. His partner told me in English that the machine I was using wouldn't dispense dollars. I flashed $60 up to his face and smiled. This caught him off guard because these guys thought I would be scared. Instead, with me smiling and responding in Spanish, they got scared. Because I had been drinking, I was ready for a good fight, but before I could get my ATM card out of the machine, they disappeared.

Last June, the same story. This time, it was three guys hanging out at the ATM, trying to skim for my code, offering to help me with my card, and no, I wasn't robbed nor did I report the crime. I was trying to figure out which one to take on first, and all three ran away.

Moral of the story is to not go to ATM machines after dark, alone. I'm a big guy, but one of these days, the guys will be carrying guns like most/all of the thieves in Colombia do. Then, I'd be in trouble.

Iflyfish - 6-6-2008 at 07:14 PM

I appreciate the reality check here.

Iflyfish

DENNIS - 6-6-2008 at 07:17 PM

Oh great. Now we have to convoy to the ATMs.

Ken Cooke - 6-6-2008 at 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Oh great. Now we have to convoy to the ATMs.

I know it was a scetchy idea to be downtown at 12:45 a.m. pulling cash out of the ATM, but I don't scare easily, I guess.

Roberto - 6-6-2008 at 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon
Well then our boycott has been succesful. No other message has gotten thru.

What boycott? And when you say "our" who is the we?

NOT YOU

Nice response, Ron, very informative.

CaboRon, get a clue. There is NO "boycott" that has anything to do with this board. And, if you think tourism is down, you should have been at the border on Memorial day coming home, as I was. The longest wait I have EVER experienced in 15 years.

There probably are fewer people going down in the normal course of things, but it has nothing to do with an organized boycott.

I would speculate that there are various causes, less disposable income being at the top of the list, increased fear somewhere in the top, but "boycott" is nowhere to be found -- that would require communication and organization, and where would that come from. This board? :lol:

By the way, you've been down fulltime for how long now? How much has your Spanish vocabulary increased in that time?

Ken Cooke - 6-6-2008 at 08:17 PM

I agree with Roberto. Everyone I talked to - from shop owners to residents all concurred that the economy and FEAR FOR PERSONAL SAFETY is what had everyone staying away. Business at the Insurance place I go was way off because the normal clients were all scared for their safety.

Before heading down to TJ, I had to fill my tank 3 days earlier for nearly $80 bucks!!

The Jeep was empty, and I filled it in TJ for $48 bucks!! That's 17 gallons folks.

Stuff like that is keeping people home, away from restaurants, out of Baja insurance offices, taking "Stay-cations" instead of Baja vacations.

''Who's the leader of the Band....''

Lee - 6-6-2008 at 09:12 PM

I feel safer already. Thanks Terry.

susanna - 6-6-2008 at 10:11 PM

We were in TJ on 5 /28 just for the day on business and then we drove thru Rosarito on our way to Puerto Nuevo with no problems at all. The federales were in PN and we enjoyed a Lobster Dinner at Las Brisas. I feel sorry for the
vendors there is not much business. I appreciate Fernando the tour guide he advised us to go as i was debating whether we should go. You know we hear so much about Baja and all the Bad stuff going on but we have our problems over here too like everybody else.So my advise is go and don't let crime stop you from going across the border.

Ken Cooke - 6-6-2008 at 10:21 PM

I noticed only one group of gringo Americanos on La Revo when the street was literally flooded with Americans in the 80s and 90s. Revoluccion was very safe with police standing on every street corner. The restaurants looked eager to serve anyone that would walk throught their doors, and I felt like I was doing everyone there a favor by my patronage.

DENNIS - 6-7-2008 at 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

I would speculate that there are various causes, less disposable income being at the top of the list, increased fear somewhere in the top,

Various causes, for sure. You touched on Border Wait Times in your post and that's another big reason.
In addition to these, I have to wonder if there may be some innocuous sign-of-the-times type reasons to add to the list, such as progress. Travel and behavior patterns don't only change as a result of negative occurances. Could it be that Mexico, Baja in particular, is rapidly entering the twenty first century and the cultural differences between US and Mexico are blending together to the point that one seems like the other?
In Southern California, this is definitly true. A traveler from upper mid-west USA could spend one week in National City [for example] and the next in Ensenada and hardly tell the difference. The sounds of Mexico permeate the airwaves in the US and Mexican cooking is everywhere as are Mexicans themselves with the Spanish language.
Many years back, a trip to TJ was like a trip to Mars what with the cultural differences and what I'm trying to say is that one no longer has to put up with the inconveniences of going to Mexico to experience Mexico. In the US, Mexico is all around us.
Anyway, just a thought.

Ken Cooke - 6-7-2008 at 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

I would speculate that there are various causes, less disposable income being at the top of the list, increased fear somewhere in the top,

In the US, Mexico is all around us.
Anyway, just a thought.

This is exactly the thesis in the LA Times article I read this morning.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tijuana Elite flee to San Diego County

Crime wave leads to an exodus of upper-class residents.

By Richard Marosi, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 7, 2008

The Plascencia family boasts the brand name for fine dining in Tijuana. Their showcase restaurant -- Villa Saverios -- is a foodie destination, its elegant dining room a gathering spot for the city's political and social elite.

Iflyfish - 6-7-2008 at 09:26 AM

I can tell you that when I have posted on another site of owners of motor homes like ours, I have heard FEAR, over and over, FEAR.

On the scale of human emotions fear is one of the primary motivators. Flight, fight is built into our DNA. Fear is primal.

I mention to people here in Oregon that I travel to Mexico and the immediate response is FEAR!

Human beings fear the unknown and the "other". "The Other" is often demonized and dehumanized. This is part of the root of racial prejudice which I see all around me towards Mexicans here in the US. FEAR and PREJUDICE are at the root of a lot of what I see as Mexophobia.

"I would never travel there", "It's unsafe", "You really dare to travel there", these are the things I hear when I mention travel to Mexico. 99% of the time this is what I hear. I would love to hear something else, I really would, I love to share stories and experiences with people who have traveled in that great Republic, but alas, what I hear is FEAR. The very real and current drug war are frosting, big, thick frosting on that cake.

Iflyfish

Fear of travelling

standingwave - 6-7-2008 at 10:32 AM

When I hear stories about the dangers of travelling I remember the experience I had when I was nineteen and travelling in Europe. I began by flying to London and working for awhile as I planned my trip south. I shared my plans with my new found friends and they warned me of going to France. I was told stories of the terrible things that had happened to people they knew who had travelled to France. Well, although worried, cancelling my trip to France was not an option and I continued on my way. In southern France, before I headed in to Spain, the same thing happened. People I talked to warned me of the dangers of travelling in Spain, and again had lots of stories to tell. I continued to Spain and worked my way south. In southern Spain as I prepared to catch the ferry to Morocco once more I heard the same fears expressed. Once more people I talked to in the campgrounds had stories to tell about the terrible things that had happened to people who had gone - in this case - to Morocco.
Of course I travelled on to Morocco (and ended up spending three magnificent months there that changed my life - which is irrelevant to this story but true nonetheless :-). Never in my travels over those six months did I have any terrible experiences with the people around me.
From that time on whenever I hear someone talk about the dangers of travelling somewhere I keep this experience of my youth in mind.
Conclusions? Generalizations? Why not - here's one. There are two kinds of people ;-) , travellers and non-travellers (tourists aren't travellers). Travellers know that people are much the same everywhere. Everywhere you go people are part of families, everyone is somebody else's son or daughter, or wife, or husband, or brother, or sister, or cousin, or uncle, or auntie, or granny or grandfather and on and on. So it isn't hard for travellers to feel at home wherever they are. The differences in language, culture, economy, etc. don't mean as much as the similarities we have as human beings. Non-travellers don't see beyond the differences, which may charm and entertain them or alienate and terrify them - either in their armchair at home or in the air conditioned comfort of their tour bus abroad. For these folks, feeling at home when in a foreign country is - almost by definition - impossible.

Barry A. - 6-7-2008 at 11:10 AM

Yep------Between StandingWave and Fish, the subject is about totally covered.

------but for some of us, Baja has changed (duh!!!) and is no longer the "place" that we once sought out--------my friends and I went to Mexico (Baja and Sonora) because it was wild and pristine, with no people other than the very friendly and happy locals, who we really enjoyed. It was inexpensive, and exciting, and adventure was around every corner in it's remoteness and lack of services. Now, it is increasingly like the USA, with the attendant hassles unique to Mexico, and therefore does not hold the "draw" that it once did, at least for us.

Now I explore the wilds of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, and the deserts of eastern California-----all which hold the same "draw" that they always have, but are somewhat more "comfortable" to us in our 60's and 70's than the still "roughness" of Mexico's deserts and sea coasts. We are almost totally campers, using our small 4x4's as our base of operations, only occasionally taking a Motel for the night to clean-up.

So, it is not entirely "fear" that keeps us home in the USA, but that certainly is a factor now that these "crimes" are being so publicized--------tho I choose to call it "caution", and being careful, which we have always done no matter where we are.

I will return to Mexico, but now probably not without several vehicles and other friends, if I can find any still willing to go-----and that is a big change of style for us, who normally travel alone. It is hard to be gypsies when in a "group", at least we find it so. And at our age, we are not so self-reliant as we used to be--------and yes, I guess that is a form of "fear".

Just my thoughts.

Barry

fdt - 6-7-2008 at 11:24 AM

A must see
http://freedomchannel.blogspot.com/2007/07/abc-2020-are-we-s...

Ken Cooke - 6-7-2008 at 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by standingwaveThe differences in language, culture, economy, etc. don't mean as much as the similarities we have as human beings.

Republic of Aaland/Finland on the Baltic:
While this sounds nice, you still gotta watch your back. I met up with 3 "nice humans" on a barge on the Baltic going from Sweden to St. Petersburg. These 3 "nice humans", sons, brothers, happened to be Neo-N-zis going to some Skinhead rally in Northern Russia. Their red Doc Martins and "Skrewdriver" t-shirts gave them away as Skins.

Needless to say, they didn't like me very much. :spingrin:

I am not the type that looks for trouble, but I always travel places, ready for it when the time comes.

Colombia (Soledad, Atlantico):
Over the Christmas break, I was there for my 2nd visit. I have heard over and over about how dangerous this place is, but I like to live on the edge, so no problem. Right? INSIDE my Fiance's house there was a Home Invasion, but luckily, Onelis and I had just returned, and she warned her brother there was an assailant who rushed into their home, and for her brother to "get up quickly." Hans overpowered the other guy, punching and beating him, before the father beat the guy with a baseball bat, and the mother brought out the machete, nearly severing his arm. Yes, I have the commotion on video! :bounce:

Colombia (Barranquilla, Atlantico):
I watched one homeless guy pummel another homeless guy lifeless - in front of a crowd, but no police around for blocks, stealing all of his panhandle change from his pockets. At the downtown market, a shopowner is chasing after a shoplifter, no police again to help.

Tijuana (Revoluccion):
I watched a guy "Get fresh" with another guys girlfriend and later get his head kicked in. The police hauled the "dirty talker" away in handcuffs. :light:

On another occasion, I watched a drunk get beaten and robbed right in front of a crowd that gathered to watch.

Late on Friday morning, two guys tried robbing me at an ATM, but before I could get my card out of the machine, they got scared and ran off - perhaps because I wasn't afraid of these two midgets.

Sure, I get looks like I might be a dangerous criminal for being African-American, but I just ignore people and go about my business. But, when people try and assert themselves like I'm going to be their victim, and I show I'm ready for a good fight, they **always** back down. I still love to travel internationally, but I just watch my back, and try not to go everywhere alone.

Ken Cooke - 6-7-2008 at 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.I will return to Mexico, but now probably not without several vehicles and other friends, if I can find any still willing to go-----and that is a big change of style for us, who normally travel alone.

Barry. No worries, I'm still young (39), and I love adventure. I'll take you and your elderly friends into the desert w/no problems to worry about. But, you'll have to hear about Jeeps at the campfire at night.

Lindalou - 6-7-2008 at 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Oh great. Now we have to convoy to the ATMs.

Not to worry Dennis, we'll go with you.

Barry A. - 6-7-2008 at 11:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.I will return to Mexico, but now probably not without several vehicles and other friends, if I can find any still willing to go-----and that is a big change of style for us, who normally travel alone.

Barry. No worries, I'm still young (39), and I love adventure. I'll take you and your elderly friends into the desert w/no problems to worry about. But, you'll have to hear about Jeeps at the campfire at night

Ken-------- :lol:

that is a GREAT offer, but if I have to listen to your "jeep talk", you have to listen to MY music!! We alllllllllmost bought a Rubicon, but at the last min. got an X-Terra---------as I am a anti-dust nut and I heard the plastic top on the Ribicon leaked. I now know that there are "cures" for that problem, but it is too late. Our "X" is awesome, tho.

In 3 days, we are off for the wilds of eastern Utah for about 3 weeks, so that will give me time to really "think" about your offer. :?:

Barry

Ken Cooke - 6-7-2008 at 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.In 3 days, we are off for the wilds of eastern Utah for about 3 weeks, so that will give me time to really "think" about your offer. :?:

Barry

My fiance and I won't be allowed to leave the USA for a few years while her status gets adjusted, and she REALLY wants to visit Utah (her mother is a Mormon). So, as long as you don't mind Salsa and REGGAETON, she might like to hear your Country & Western music. Of course, everyone here knows all I like is Psychedelic Trance. Haha What a combination...

Cypress - 6-7-2008 at 12:28 PM

If you're afraid to visit Baja, then you probably ought to visit "safer" areas. :bounce:

Ken Cooke - 6-7-2008 at 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
If you're afraid to visit Baja, then you probably ought to visit "safer" areas. :bounce:

No fear, here. I'm going back on Thursday for the HARDCORE RETO 4x4 event in Canyon Rosarito for 2 days.

On the 21st of June, Markus Schultz is performing at Planeta Tijuana. I picked up his event flyer in Playas - his music label (UK's Ministry of Sound) is spending big money on advertising his event. I'll be sure to pull money from the ATM during daylight this time. :lol:

sloopy - 6-9-2008 at 05:50 AM

Sounds as if TJ is getting like LA. Remember that cartoon in the LA Times a few years back...shows a couple driving in I-5 through L.A. She riding shotgut and is holding an AK-47. He's driving their family sedan and in the caption he's telling his wife, "Cover me, Alice, I'm changing lanes!"

Pretty funny at the time they were having a lot of freeway shootings.