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Author: Subject: violence on surfers and tourists in Northern Baja
jeremias
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[*] posted on 12-11-2009 at 11:32 PM
violence on surfers and tourists in Northern Baja


Has the situation and trend of violence, hold ups by "cops" etc. that seemed to be rampant in 07'(at least from all the accounts I've read posted here and on the web)changed much recently? I've actually been down towards Ensenada to visit a friend, drove by myself and surfed in San Quentin twice in the last year with no problems, other than some hard looking guys in a truck maddogging me and peeling out. But I guess in spite of the rumors I'd heard about some incidents with surfers, i wasn't really aware how much it had actually been occurring. I was thinking about going down to Colonet area and then further by myself this month, but am definitely having some pause at this point. I apologize if I am dredging up a topic that has been beaten to death(no pun intended). :o
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fishbuck
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 04:03 AM


I don't have any first hand inf to give.
But I think this is part "Urban Legend" and part true.
I've had a few minor run-ins with the Baja police.
The key to surviving in Baja or anywhere else is to "fly under the radar" Blend in with the local traffic as best as you can.
There was a very scary story about a surfer and his girlfriend that got robbed at gunpoint a few years ago.
But then I talked to people in Baja that said it didn't happen the way the surfer said.
It happened in Colonet.
If I was camping on the beach alone I'd realy like to have a big dog or two. Maybe three! The barking bitting kind.
Some people camping on the beach in San Q. got robbed a few weeks ago.
My advice? Stay in a hotel. Get up early and go to the beach.
I travel alone alot and really dn't have any problems. It's fun!
Keep a low profile and don't let your guard down!:cool:




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DENNIS
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 08:12 AM


Welcome aboard, Jeremia................The situation seems to have quieted down somewhat, probably because tourists are leaving themselves less vulnerable. There is still an element of danger that must constantly be kept in mind. Just try not to put yourself in that position and your chances are best.
Another reason fewer tourists are being assaulted is, well....there are fewer tourists.
Don't drive at night and don't camp alone in isolated places.
have a good trip.
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Woooosh
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 09:12 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Welcome aboard, Jeremia................The situation seems to have quieted down somewhat, probably because tourists are leaving themselves less vulnerable. There is still an element of danger that must constantly be kept in mind. Just try not to put yourself in that position and your chances are best.
Another reason fewer tourists are being assaulted is, well....there are fewer tourists.
Don't drive at night and don't camp alone in isolated places.
have a good trip.


I saw this recent YouTube video posted by a man who claims he helped two American surfers who "surfed away" when his other two friends were harassed by the police/miltary. Could have been their shiny new truck. He claims they took the two away in handcuffs and they are still missing...

Can't tell the exact location from his rambling story but houses with beach access with stairs in Rosarito sounds like San Antonio del mar...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f96jmACC4Ws




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DENNIS
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 09:26 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Can't tell the exact location from his rambling story but houses with beach access with stairs in Rosarito sounds like San Antonio del mar...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f96jmACC4Ws



Way too little info to even guess an area. Could be SADM...could be a lot of places.
The guy is believable, in my opinion. Wish he had given more details, when and where.
Wonder how old this video is.

[Edited on 12-12-2009 by DENNIS]
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Terry28
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 09:28 AM


I watched the video...kinda strange, and no one has reported this before. Seems someone would have heard about this in the surfing community.
Use common sense and you will have a great time. I have been surfing that area for the last 15 years, no problems. Water is getting colder though....




Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 09:50 AM


Yes, welcome Jeremias. There seem to be two general types on this site. those that believe the sky is falling and those that believe there is little to no crime in Baja. The advice offered by Fishbuck is solid and I generally agree with it.

I have worked in very high crime areas all my adult life as a law enforcement officer. Watts in the mid 80's was extremely violent. I worked both undercover and in uniform. I heard gunshots every night. But I was never persoanlly victimized. Why? Too many other easy targets. And luck. Even when I was in uniform I expected to draw some fire but never did. Just luck I guess. Lots of people out there. Lots of very good people too. But I always kept my wits about me.

The crime in Baja is real. But as in every other place it varies depending on where you are. Tijuana has concentrated criime but once you leave Tijuana the crime rate dips. Crime in general in Baja does appear to be tapering off. Although I don't travel to Baja as much as I would like, I do interview people from Baja and other parts of Mexico every day that I work (now near downtown Los Angeles in another high crime area..but not as high as it was in the 80's or 90's). I am told exactly what Fishbuck says.

If you look for trouble or stick out too much you may be targeted. I would avoid buying or using drugs. That is fairly obvious advice. I would be careful visiting unsavory places. I don't drink alcohol but if i did I would be careful about public drunkedness.

Mexico is fascinating and beautiful. Just take some precautions, don't dress too flashy, avoid wads of money in the wallet and hide valuables in your vehicle and your odds of being victimized go down. ..anyway...my input to the issue. I read reports weekly directly from Mexican law enforcement sources that are not given to the media. I happen to currently work sexual assault crimes. Some of the stories are pretty scary and not publicized. But given all that information, I drove to Mulege in 2007 and Todos Santos in 2008...had the time of my life! have fun but keep your wits about you..

Jon
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jeremias
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 07:51 PM


Thanks for the all the replies. Kind of the common sense i figured myself. I've spent alot of time in Mexico surfing since my first trip at 12(now a ripe old 36) and have yet to have any real problems, even when I used to really ask for it doing all those "unsavory" type things as a young punk. In the last year in spite of all the stuff on the news, I spent a month near Maz by myself and did that trip to San Quintin. Had no probs or anything out of the ordinary. Seemed like the vibe was definitely different though. Could've been all the armored vehicles I bumped into, or just my own fear. I wasn't really aware of the amount of the escalation of hold ups and such in Baja until I started fishing around the web and reading all of it. Thankfully my truck is 10 years old and I'm a bit crusty so i probably don't have much to worry about. How safe is the beach camping further down south on the Cortez side? If I can't round anybody to cruise with me I was thinking about checking out the Bahia L.A to warm up for a week or so and fish maybe solo. This site is killing me though. I can't get enough of of the armchair roadtrippin.

[Edited on 12-13-2009 by jeremias]
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 07:57 PM


Jeremias..I know what u mean . I live the Baja experience vicariously through this site much of the year. I can't get down to Baja much and reading the posts on this site make me even hungrier for a trip.
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 08:01 PM


It's torture, I can't decide if I want to surf in the freezing cold, or just go camp and fish on the east side somewhere and live out of my camper shell... 2 dollar gas !!!:spingrin:

[Edited on 12-13-2009 by jeremias]
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[*] posted on 12-12-2009 at 10:08 PM


can't seem to see my avatar, can anybody?.....hmmm
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[*] posted on 12-13-2009 at 06:16 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by jeremias
can't seem to see my avatar, can anybody?.....hmmm


I think you need 25 posts before you can put one up. Is that right? Hey out there..... anybody...help.
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[*] posted on 12-13-2009 at 10:37 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by jeremias
It's torture, I can't decide if I want to surf in the freezing cold, or just go camp and fish on the east side somewhere and live out of my camper shell... 2 dollar gas !!!:spingrin:

[Edited on 12-13-2009 by jeremias]


I would head down to BOLA catching some surf as you go. I would consider any camping North of El Rosario to be risky and try and stay in campgrounds that have security - guards and/or fences. In Bola I would head out to La Gringa if you're looking for more remote camping - No facilities. catch fish off your surfboard. warm and pleasant. check the swell report at the internet cafe in town and head back over to the west coast if anythings happening. have fun!
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[*] posted on 12-13-2009 at 10:57 AM


In 2007 there were just two incidents involving surfers that got lots of attention. That is because the same ones circulated around and around, only to reappear here and in other forums and also the media broadcast and/or printed them repeatedly over a period of about a year and a half. The surfers, by the way, were not using due caution.

Also, if anyone nearby is offering or doing any kind of drugs, get as far away from them as you can, even if it means leaving the spot for good. Drugs attract violence; not always, but often. That's the biggest threat to your personal safety. Drugs is what the cartel drug war is all about. Whereas you/we gringos may not be targets per se, the drug element makes you attractive...like a magnet.

Regarding BOLA or anywhere on the SOC, the weather is not all that warm in the winter and the water is c-o-l-d!




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lol.gif posted on 12-13-2009 at 11:09 AM
Right


Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
Also, if anyone nearby is offering or doing any kind of drugs, get as far away from them as you can, even if it means leaving the spot for good.


Surfers?...Running from drugs???

Equal to defying the laws of gravity. :rolleyes:




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toneart
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lol.gif posted on 12-13-2009 at 11:17 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
Also, if anyone nearby is offering or doing any kind of drugs, get as far away from them as you can, even if it means leaving the spot for good.


Surfers?...Running from drugs???

Equal to defying the laws of gravity. :rolleyes:


Well...there you go! I am not saying that the laws of gravity can be violated by good sense. I am just trying to suggest that lack of good sense can get you dead.

There are some endeavors where you cannot defy the laws of gravity or good sense: i.e. a tree topper can't take a step backward to admire his work. :no:




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Woooosh
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[*] posted on 12-13-2009 at 11:27 AM


Quote:
a tree topper can't take a step backward to admire his work. :no:


Sure he can- but only once. ;D

I had beach house in San Diego where my dogs would run around the permimeter of the roof deck. Someone asked me if I was worried the dogs would jump off.. I answered; "they would only do it once" )




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[*] posted on 12-13-2009 at 11:32 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
I am just trying to suggest that lack of good sense can get you dead.


And I'm suggesting it should.




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[*] posted on 12-13-2009 at 11:41 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by toneart


Regarding BOLA or anywhere on the SOC, the weather is not all that warm in the winter and the water is c-o-l-d!


Much warmer than the west coast ;D
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[*] posted on 12-13-2009 at 12:02 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
In 2007 there were just two incidents involving surfers that got lots of attention. That is because the same ones circulated around and around, only to reappear here and in other forums and also the media broadcast and/or printed them repeatedly over a period of about a year and a half. The surfers, by the way, were not using due caution.

Also, if anyone nearby is offering or doing any kind of drugs, get as far away from them as you can, even if it means leaving the spot for good. Drugs attract violence; not always, but often. That's the biggest threat to your personal safety. Drugs is what the cartel drug war is all about. Whereas you/we gringos may not be targets per se, the drug element makes you attractive...like a magnet.



The incidents I recall in that area during that period:

1) San Diego guy and wife who had been doing surf tours in that area for years were beaten and robbed in the motorhome. Wife was sexually assaulted while the husband watched.
2) surfers were dragged out of their tents at night robbed and their truck stolen
3) Canadian couple in RV beaten with pipe and RV stolen. RV was found ransacked. Husband and wife picked up on the side of the road. Husband had severe injuries and had to be airlifted out due to severe injuries.

The reports go on and on back into the 90's.
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