BajaNomad

Latest travel warning, Tijuana and Baja were NOT on the list of the most dangerous places

noproblemo2 - 6-19-2010 at 02:11 PM

Latest travel warning, Tijuana and Baja were NOT on the list of the most dangerous places to visit

The Mexican Consulate and tourism officials from across Mexico were in San Diego on Friday to present the country’s new security campaign.

Travelers will now be able to call 911 in Mexico and will be connected to the nearest bilingual emergency responder. Baja’s tourism director, Oscar Escobevo said a new police force was formed, dedicated to helping and looking out for tourists.

“I am confident they are going to make people safe,” he said. “My job is to make sure they do cross the border and that is what we are working on.”


More than 1,000 people have been murdered in Mexico so far this year, including innocent victims caught in the middle of public shootouts.

“Violence against tourists never existed, just violence against cartels,” said Escobevo.

In the U.S. State Department’s latest travel warning, Tijuana and Baja were not on the list of the most dangerous places to visit.

“We are back in the game, back on the ball,” said Escobevo.

Escobevo said wait times at the border affect travel even more than security. He said they they are working to make the border run more efficiently for the 20 million people who pass through it every year. Additional lanes have already been added.

http://www.10news.com/news/23959284/detail.html

chnlisle - 6-19-2010 at 03:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by noproblemo2
Travelers will now be able to call 911 in Mexico and will be connected to the nearest bilingual emergency responder.


So then, if you are pulled over by the police in Ciudad Constitucíon you can just dial 911 and complain to the very same police who are putting the bite on you? The problem with this BS press release is that they want the gringos to believe that the Mexican police are actually on our side. No self-respecting Mexican would ever believe that. So, they just assume all gringos are rich and stupid.

DENNIS - 6-19-2010 at 03:31 PM

I can't believe they're still trying to sell this line of BS. Don't they think we know how to read?

“Violence against tourists never existed, just violence against cartels,” said Escobevo.

DENNIS - 6-19-2010 at 03:42 PM

Travel Warning....May 06, 2010

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html

Iflyfish - 6-19-2010 at 04:26 PM

Good info Dennis.

The situation in Ciudad Constitution must be addressed by local authorities in order for US citizens to feel safe traveling to Baja Sur. This is the main highway thru Baja and these bandits dressed like cops makes it unsafe to travel there. I hope proper authorities will really do something about this.

Iflyfish

DENNIS - 6-19-2010 at 04:53 PM

So...some think Nomad gets a little rasty at times, go to the link Noproblemo put up with the article, Ch. 10 News, and read the three pages of replies. :lol::lol:

Woooosh - 6-21-2010 at 08:58 AM

Just yesterday the TJ municipal police and Federalies took armed positions against each other and closed blocks of the downtown TJ tourist zone on a Sunday afternoon. There is so much going on below the surface that no one should be saying how safe TJ is until after the July 4 election. If the cartels favored party wins- it'll be safer, if they don't it's the narco-wars here all over again.

http://www.afntijuana.info/afn/?p=5186

Boys will be boys

k-rico - 6-21-2010 at 10:23 AM

Letting off steam on a Saturday night.

The trouble started the night before as one group, off duty and partying, were headed to the Zona Norte cultural venues.

Nothing in the article was about the upcoming elections nor the cartels.

translation

[Edited on 6-21-2010 by k-rico]

Woooosh - 6-21-2010 at 10:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
Letting off steam on a Saturday night.

The trouble started the night before as one group, off duty and partying, were headed to the Zona Norte cultural venues.

Nothing in the article was about the upcoming elections nor the cartels.

translation

[Edited on 6-21-2010 by k-rico]

EVERYTHING happening in TJ right now is about the cartels and the upcoming elections, everything...

k-rico - 6-21-2010 at 10:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
Letting off steam on a Saturday night.

The trouble started the night before as one group, off duty and partying, were headed to the Zona Norte cultural venues.

Nothing in the article was about the upcoming elections nor the cartels.

translation

[Edited on 6-21-2010 by k-rico]

EVERYTHING happening in TJ right now is about the cartels and the upcoming elections, everything...


Well I'm a happening guy and I'm not about the elections nor the cartel. :lol:

The event you reported wasn't either.:P

Woooosh - 6-21-2010 at 11:03 AM

Well the thread was meant to dismiss TJ dangers. Whenever the municipalies and federalies close down parts of TJ to act out their stuck-on-stupid ways in a public military fashion, it makes TJ significantly less safe IMHO. If no one is in charge then how can it be safer? The military wouldn't even be here if not for the cartels and now there is a new cartel player in town to deal with. It's all related- where do you think the majority of Mexican election funds come from? The cartels are the Mexican lobbyists. It'll all be over in two weeks and we can settle into the new level of security the prevailing political party and their partnered cartel allow.

How safe and fun does this look?



[Edited on 6-21-2010 by Woooosh]

271903-G.JPG - 44kB

k-rico - 6-21-2010 at 11:33 AM

I'm just objecting to your original post that implied the event was related to the elections or the cartel turf battle by mentioning all three in the same breath. It was an isolated, unfortunate event that ended before anybody was harmed. The beefed up police force and the federal presence are good things.

Everything is relative. Relative to 2 years ago TJ is much safer, in my opinion as safe as it has ever been, relative to San Diego and other places it's less safe and probably always will be.



[Edited on 6-21-2010 by k-rico]

Woooosh - 6-21-2010 at 11:34 AM

OK- I'll buy that.

Bajahowodd - 6-21-2010 at 02:37 PM

From the May 17 security update:

"Tijuana, Baja California
There has been a recent increase in armed robberies on the Mexican side of the Otay Mesa border crossing. Some of these incidents have occurred within 50 feet of the U.S. border inspection booths. Several incidents of robbery have been reported at the San Ysidro port of entry in Tijuana. Caution should be exercised when using these border crossings."

50 feet from the booth???

Woooosh - 6-22-2010 at 10:33 AM

50 feet? What are they taking- the Bionic Burrito from your hand? I guess just keep the car doors locked and windows mostly up (we need to post this?).

Woooosh - 6-25-2010 at 09:23 AM

Apparently the high-profile crimes are down in TJ, but the murder rate is up 40% so far. A Mixed bag...

http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/25062...


40% increase in TJ killings
TIJUANA, Baja California (PH)
Although no longer have been high-impact crime in the streets as in previous years, statistics show that in the first half of 2010, homicides have risen 40% in Tijuana.

According to figures provided by the Attorney General of the State (PGJE) until yesterday had 400 violent deaths recorded so far this year, January was the most violent with 120 murders.

In the same period, but in 2009, there were 286 homicides. The figure shows that executions have increased and that victims are not only men, since between them there are also women and children.

On average, two people per day have been executed so far during 2010 and increased incidence areas continue to be the East Zone and the periphery.

The numbers show that 2009 was the second most violent year in the history of Tijuana by recording 643 executions.

The year 2008 was the most violent in the city with a total of 844 individuals last.

According to the State Government from 2005 to 2007, average reported 300 homicides per year.

Rommel Moreno Manjarrez, the state attorney general, said recently that there is a dispute between criminal cells are to get at "the plaza" in Tijuana to distribute drugs.

The fight began after the arrest of Teodoro Garcia Simental "El Teo", Raydel Lopez Uriarte "The Crutches" and Manuel Garcia Simental "The Chiquilín" and said the State Attorney on 3 June.

Deaths in 2009
Enero 73
Febrero 35
Marzo 52
Abril 47
Mayo 49
Junio 30

Deaths in 2010
Enero 120
Febrero 63
Marzo 59
Abril 64
Mayo 60
Junio 34
(Until yesterday)

DENNIS - 6-25-2010 at 10:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Although no longer have been high-impact crime in the streets as in previous years, statistics show that in the first half of 2010, homicides have risen 40% in Tijuana.



Murder isn't a high impact crime? I guess they don't ask the victim.
I find it hard to accept that the loss of a persons life isn't considered "high impact." I'm not sure what it says of the value of life in Tijuana.

briantroy - 7-3-2010 at 07:54 AM

Haven't been camping in baja in way too long. The itch is driving me crazy. Is camping in a baja campground dangerous? No; it is far more dangerous just walking the streets of any major city in the world. But, my travelling companion is certain we are putting our lives on the line. Nothing beats the thrill of a woman feeling danger! Perhaps after a nice dinner at Manzanilla's will put her at ease and the mellow waves and glowing campfire at La Jolla campground will soften her.

-White E-150 converted van with a chihuahua/wiener dog will be there July 3-5: Look me up!

DENNIS - 7-3-2010 at 08:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by briantroy
the mellow waves and glowing campfire at La Jolla campground will soften her.



If you're talking about Punta Banda, there's no problem in La Joya. Don't tell your girlfriend that. Her insecurities will work in your favor. :lol:

briantroy - 7-6-2010 at 06:32 PM

We stayed at La Joya in Punta Banda and yes, they did work in my favor!