SUNDOG
Nomad
Posts: 176
Registered: 8-9-2006
Location: Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
Death by Media
Death by Media
By Patrick Osio, Jr./HispanicVista.com
March 1, 2008
Death by Media
By Patrick Osio
On February 22nd, a lady reported she was raped at gunpoint in the early evening as she was jogging near the San Elijo Lagoon (North San Diego
County), yet that heinous crime only merited a one column, two paragraph news item along with other “Crime Watch” reports found on section B on the
San Diego Union-Tribune, the regions only major newspaper. However, a lady was raped in Baja California in October 2007, while on a surfing trip with
her boyfriend and it merited front page news.
The point is, heinous crimes are the same anywhere and crime exists everywhere in the world, including San Diego and yes, Baja California. But it does
seem that when it comes to crime, the local news, as well as most US news, loves to spike the incidents in Mexico and the news results in “travel
warnings.” The results are that such reporting greatly diminishes tourism to Baja which is largely dependent on that economic sector. This in turn
creates unemployment.
Putting things in perspective, in San Diego in the four months from September through December there were 14 murders, 115 rapes, 347 armed robberies,
423 strong arm robberies, and 1,558 aggravated assaults. Now try to recollect how many of these were the objects of high profile news reports, over
and over again – same story rehashed or made into national news? And have there been “travel warnings” advising visitors of the potential dangers of
traveling to San Diego?
Due to the war on organized crime there have been more killings in Tijuana than in San Diego, but Los Angeles. From December 23, 2007 through February
16, 2008 (less than 2 months), there were 58 homicides (rivaling Tijuana), 114 rapes, 1,922 robberies and 1,751 aggravated assaults. And no travel
warnings? The total crimes surpass those of Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, and Ensenada.
Beating out Los Angeles (and Baja) are cities such as Philadelphia were a recent Nightline report indicated that before deploying to Iraq Army
doctors, are sent to the emergency rooms of local hospitals to get experience in treating gun shots, stabbings, and assorted different traumas because
every night the emergency rooms are filled with over 75 such victims. Las Vegas, Houston and Dallas, Detroit and New Orleans that leads the nation on
homicides - all of these cities have higher homicides than does Tijuana. Yet Americans are encouraged to visit those cities instead of issuing “travel
warning.”
Another crime widely reported about Tijuana was about two real estate sales ladies who were kidnapped. The only connection to the US is that one of
them is married to a US citizen. The family contacted government officials who sent the Baja California Organized Crime Unit. The ladies were rescued
unharmed, the gang of 4 was captured, and they are now implicated in 14 homicides and assorted other crimes. They face a very long jail sentence. This
very positive bit of news was found buried in the U-T’s back pages of section B. Why?
The most recent aberration in the Union-Tribune was a report entitled, “Kidnappings of U.S. citizens on rise” (February 6, 2008). The report indicates
that in 2007 a total of 26 kidnappings took place in Tijuana. The headline would indicate that the victims were US citizens, but were they?
The staff writer indicates they are at the start of his report, but thereafter refers to the victims as “San Diego County residents” and the report
describes the typical targeted victim as having business ties in Tijuana. Clearly the description does not fit the day or longer stay for pleasure
“tourist” as the targets. In fact a January message from the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana notes, “There is no evidence that U.S. citizens are
specifically targeted because of their citizenship.”
I sent an e-mail to the U-T writer asking how many of the 26 were US citizens and how many Mexican nationals. He responded – “all are US citizens.”
Since the FBI was used as the source for the number, I contacted Special Agent Darrel Foxworth, public affairs officer for the San Diego office, to
whom I posed the same question. He said the FBI does not keep records as to the citizenship of the victims. In order to find this out, a Freedom of
Information letter would have to be sent requesting the data. It would take some time as numerous records would have to be reviewed to extract the
information.
I asked if this could be done in 2 days. He said no, it would take longer.
The “2 days” was key because the U-T writer appeared on Glenn Beck’s CNN national TV program who said that once he got the “tip” it took 2 days to put
the story together. I wonder then, if the FBI does not keep such records, and it would take longer than 2 days to obtain the data, how is it that the
Union-Tribune writer was able to so authoritatively state all the victims were US citizens?
All the above is not to dismiss the crime problems faced in Tijuana and Rosarito that have escalated since President Calderon declared war on
organized crime. Nor should we dismiss the seriousness of the problems faced along the coast of Baja though the incidents to tourists are relatively
small in numbers when compared to the total visitors. Nor is there a suggestion that the local, state or national news media should stop reporting
incidents of crime in Mexico or Baja.
What must take place by responsible news media is to report factually and with the same enthusiasm as shown when reporting on a crime, report the
successes Baja law enforcement is having in winning the war against crime. And not rehash the same stories over and over again as add on to a new
incident, as it is not done for local crime reports.
And, would it be out of line to suggest that much of the Baja problems with organized crime is due to the drug appetite by US citizens and residents?
|
|
|
Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
|
|
Virtually ALL crime coverage in the US is sensationalized entertainment. Exactly what is the general, national relevence of the Drew/Scott/Laci
Peterson cases? Natalee Holloway? The Phil Specter case? Paris Hilton or Britney Spears adventures? Sometimes, celebrity guarantees coverage, other
times it's a puzzle to me. But in the case of the Baja reports, there has been pressure from visitors, including participants on this board, put on
media outlets to run with these stories.
I can't say that Baja crime reports have affected my travel habits, or choice of residence.
Still, I find the crime statistic comparisons with US cities a poor argument. Sorry, but I'm not considering an idyllic vacation in the seamier side
of Philadelphia, as much as I liked the film Rocky. Yes, parts of the US also have poor reputations that deflect visitors due to crime and press
coverage of crime.
And I've spent most of my adult life in the states and can't say I've been ripped off by the police in phony traffic shakedowns. Nor can I, off the
top of my head, recall a city police department being attacked by criminals. And Mexico's difficulties in controlling police corruption, especially
that aimed at tourists, is legendary and has provoked bad press for decades. It is, and has always been, a brake slowing tourism in Mexico. Repeated
stories of such incidents in the internet age may be as damaging to Mexican tourism as the reports of more serious crimes.
|
|
|
Gadget
Senior Nomad
Posts: 851
Registered: 9-10-2006
Location: Point Loma CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Blessed with another day
|
|
Very well written and his thoughts are interesting and provocative. Sundog, good job sharing it!
"Mankind will not be judged by their faults, but by the direction of their lives." Leo Giovinetti
See you in Baja
http://www.LocosMocos.com
Gadget |
|
|
Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
|
|
In the '50's and '60's (etc.) my friends thought we were nuts for going to Mexico---------bad things happen down there, don't you know-----banditos,
and such. We laughed----and went anyway.
Now I hesitate to go south---------it just is not the same, and I am older. Back then the crime was almost non-existant, despite what "others"
said--------now it really is happening. Takes a lot of the fun out of it for me-----and the main reason I went "south" was for fun and
adventure------well, the adventure is ramping up.
I feel the same way about going "south" into the crazyness of the socal megalopolis from my home in N. California------spooky! Maybe I am wrong, but
I sure sense that I am not.
Still, the story above is worth considering, and there is much wisdom there, I believe.
Just my take.
Barry
|
|
|
Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
|
|
Yup- You can't solve a problem Mexico doesn't have. Just lipstck on a pig before and now some eyeliner to boot.
Can this guy quote how many Mexican tourists were raped, assaulted, and kidnapped while visiting the USA as tourists last year? He's comparing crime
stats against Americans visiting Mexico to crime stats for All crime taking place in the states.
If there was an actual real number for crime stats in TJ, no one would go near there- not even the Mexicans,
|
|
|
CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
|
|
I would llike persons to start listing population numbers and density when they compare crime rates..... because without those the crime numbers are
meaningless ....
Thanks,
CaboRon
|
|
|
bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
|
|
If crime stats are high in a place that YOU want to be it's a real big deal.
If the stats are high somewhere you don't want to go, then they don't matter.
We really only care about our own areas, and to h--- with anywhere else.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
|
|
CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
If crime stats are high in a place that YOU want to be it's a real big deal.
If the stats are high somewhere you don't want to go, then they don't matter.
We really only care about our own areas, and to h--- with anywhere else. |
Let's not abuse statistics..... If you have five murders in a town with one million people that is far greater than twenty murders in a town with five
million people..... it does matter.
You can skew stats anyway you want by omitting vital information.
CaboRo
|
|
|
The Gull
Super Nomad
Posts: 2223
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rancho Descanso, BCN
Member Is Offline
Mood: High
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
Can this guy quote how many Mexican tourists were raped, assaulted, and kidnapped while visiting the USA as tourists last year? He's comparing crime
stats against Americans visiting Mexico to crime stats for All crime taking place in the states.
If there was an actual real number for crime stats in TJ, no one would go near there- not even the Mexicans, |
Simple question, why do you live so sadly in such a horrid place with such immense risk?
�I won\'t insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.� William F. Buckley, Jr.
|
|
|
BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2107
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
Member Is Offline
|
|
First I think this writer is wrong. Crime rates count. Crime numbers don`t.
Second, the SD papers did NOT jump in on the TJ crime against tourist. It took about 2 months as I remember!
Another-- Crime causes poverty and unemployment (story says media)! No law enforcement= gangs rule.
Red flag #4-- Blame the US!!
|
|
|
The Gull
Super Nomad
Posts: 2223
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rancho Descanso, BCN
Member Is Offline
Mood: High
|
|
BornFisher,
Where are all those drugs being sold? Where is the demand for billions of dollars of illegal drugs?
�I won\'t insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.� William F. Buckley, Jr.
|
|
|
CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by BornFisher
First I think this writer is wrong. Crime rates count. Crime numbers don`t.
Second, the SD papers did NOT jump in on the TJ crime against tourist. It took about 2 months as I remember!
Another-- Crime causes poverty and unemployment (story says media)! No law enforcement= gangs rule.
Red flag #4-- Blame the US!! |
Thankyou for your observations.
CaboRon
|
|
|
Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Don Alley
Virtually ALL crime coverage in the US is sensationalized entertainment. Exactly what is the general, national relevence of the Drew/Scott/Laci
Peterson cases? Natalee Holloway? The Phil Specter case? Paris Hilton or Britney Spears adventures? Sometimes, celebrity guarantees coverage, other
times it's a puzzle to me. But in the case of the Baja reports, there has been pressure from visitors, including participants on this board, put on
media outlets to run with these stories.
I can't say that Baja crime reports have affected my travel habits, or choice of residence.
Still, I find the crime statistic comparisons with US cities a poor argument. Sorry, but I'm not considering an idyllic vacation in the seamier side
of Philadelphia, as much as I liked the film Rocky. Yes, parts of the US also have poor reputations that deflect visitors due to crime and press
coverage of crime.
And I've spent most of my adult life in the states and can't say I've been ripped off by the police in phony traffic shakedowns. Nor can I, off the
top of my head, recall a city police department being attacked by criminals. And Mexico's difficulties in controlling police corruption, especially
that aimed at tourists, is legendary and has provoked bad press for decades. It is, and has always been, a brake slowing tourism in Mexico. Repeated
stories of such incidents in the internet age may be as damaging to Mexican tourism as the reports of more serious crimes. |
Don, that is the most perceptive analysis I have seen of this issue. I really do not have much more than a passing awarness and concern that the
crime rate in downtown Chicago or New York City is high because I do not have to go to those places. I CHOOSE to come to Mexico for whatever reasons
(fishing, climate, culture, geography) and if the threat of danger outweighs the potential for reward then I might choose to go somewhere else. I am
a little more cautious when I am near Ensenda, I avoid Tijuana like the plague, but my lifestyle in Baja California Sur has not really changed. I
have known for years that the government had little effect on things like petty crime and I took the responsibility to put things away and lock them
up. I knew most of the police in my area and knew that they were underpaid and undereducated and I was in trouble if I expected them to protect and
provide a safe environment. In fact the worst ripoff I experienced in the last few years was not from a local but a derelict gringo who ripped me as
some kind of sick retaliation for a misunderstanding.
|
|
|
HotSchott
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: Sandy Eggo
Member Is Offline
|
|
Who died? "Death by media"? I said it before, Baja has a real crime problem which will not be solved in the media. It may not be solved by the
media, but when you got 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow. We have no other real weapon with which to defend ourselves. Nothing
will be solved in Mexico with regards to crime and corruption because our media generates attention to the problem. But maybe it will give them cause
to consider changes. Maybe the people that CAN do something about the problems will do something. If not, then they will spend more time trying to
feed starving people then ripping off tourists. It is always the underprivileged that suffer.
If American citizens are being victimized without recourse, and few if any are sure if the criminals are actually the people that should be protecting
us, then screw them in the media and anywhere else it hurts! If I am a target because of the color of my license plates, then I will use whatever
means I can to protect my family and property. Start with staying North of the border where I can and do have protection.
It is interesting that so many people are crying foul about the over-reaction on the part of the media and the resulting lack of tourism. Nobody was
whining over the last few years as real estate prices have skyrocketed and gringos have flocked into every part of Mexico. Mexico is a country where
the few prosper while the many suffer. When times are good the few have it real good. When times are bad, the few are largely insulated from the
problems and the many get what they get. If Mexico wants a real middle class society and not just a glass house in a rock quarry, then Mexico better
create a system that is not 100% dependent on gringo dollars.
When I can tell the difference between a Mexican criminal and the Governor of Baja, I will let my guard down and start spending every opportunity I
can trying to get back to a place I truly miss.
|
|
|
CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
|
|
HotSchott,
Here Here, and well put.
CaboRon
|
|
|
The Gull
Super Nomad
Posts: 2223
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rancho Descanso, BCN
Member Is Offline
Mood: High
|
|
US CRIME STATISTICS
...must be ignored. They are irrelevant. All those increased drug convictions are from drugs NOT coming through Baja.
These facts must be ignored and replaced with strictly opinion. Because there is truth, ONLY, in opinion, not in facts.
If 1% of the US adult population is incarcerated, that just means it is a safer place to live than Baja, RIGHT?
�I won\'t insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.� William F. Buckley, Jr.
|
|
|
MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
|
|
My Statistics are better than your Statistics
And my Mom could have whipped yours.
Nah, Nah, Nah.
I can't think of anything more useless than all of this tit-for-tat regarding "True" Crime statistics and whether it's more dangerous in Mexico or the
U.S. It's MEANINGLESS, nothing but verbal masturbation.
PERCEPTION IS the reality and the market (in this case the Tourist market) has adjusted to the "perceived" threat. This spike in
violent crime has come together with other factors to create a "perfect storm" much to Baja's misfortune.
A Slowing economy, the Housing market fiascos and sharp increases in oil prices dovetail nicely with the Baja crime coverage resulting in a lot of
people staying closer to home in familiar surroundings.
No Rocket Science Involved. No need for comparative risk assessments. Time and the economy will eventually come back around. Until then, T.S.
amigos. Tighten the Belt.
|
|
|
Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
|
|
Ok, are we really ready for the truth?? Can we handle the "Truth?" The truth that both repeat both countries must acknowledge. Yea, as one person
pointed out the U.S. has more of their population in prison than other countries but it takes a lot to get the crook to prison. We have people with 5
or 6 arrests and serious arrests before they actually go off to prison. Now, of the number going to prison guess what we have a number of those that
are committing crimes who are not here legally and guess what they were doing crimes in Mexico before coming here. Our Homeland Security is deporting
them back to Mexico and actively going after those that have violated their bail to return to court when they knew their run was over. These crooks,
a.k.a. dirtbags, have linked up with the other U.S. crooks, a.k.a. dirtbags, in our prisons and jails to futher their desire and need to keep crime
and drug use/sales going on both sides of the border. Don't think for a moment that the U.S. is the only one which this drug business is after
because Mexico has the same problem of "in-country drug buyers or users." Drug users wanting drugs rob, steal, rape, kill, and do every other
imaginable thing as they are "dirtbags" that have even made their families lives living hell!! The ones that were robbing, raping, and kidnapping on
the "Toll Rode" created the international issues as Mexico did not move fast enough to take them down. If the U.S. had a freeway where crimes were
openly happening like this a "crime stop task force" would be put together immediately and it would not need federal intervention to occur. Yes, both
countries have their "dirtbags" that intend harm to anyone to get their way as they have a very bad learning curve that is why they end up in prisons
and jails over and over again. Unfortunately, in Mexico the average citizen or tourist does not have their own weapons to defend themselves in their
homes or on the road. In the U.S. the crook runs the risk of one of us shooting faster and better than them whether we are in our homes or on the
move. In the U.S. we rarely have rogue cops pushing for payoffs and when we do the system takes them down and puts them with the other "dirtbags." I
think President Calderon is on the right track and just like the U.S. had to confront our own Mafia problems where community killing and violence
spills over into the public, Mexico is currently going through the same thing. Homeland Security is making business as usual tougher for the crooks
and look for these crooks to continue to do business as usual as they are deported back to Mexico. Mexico needs to work closer with the U.S. in
documenting these crooks that have been deported back to them for being unaware of their return puts citizens from both countries at risk. These
"dirtbags" were here not only illegally but committing Crimes repeat Crimes. These "dirtbags" do not care whether they do crimes in the U.S. or
Mexico they will continue to do so and need, repeat need, to be taken off the streets and put into prison. Do not buy that crap of low level drug
users overloading our prisons as the truth is the ones in prison are those that keep doing crimes over and over again, use drugs, use family members,
and make any community dangerous if they are allowed to go unchecked. Hope that President Calderon keeps up the pressure and both countries work
better in documenting these criminals as they go back and forth across our borders. Ok, now I can get off my soap box and will say no "dirtbag" is
going to make me alter where I can go or not go. I will however take the security measures I need to take to keep me and mine safe. I will also
research my surrounding I intend to be in before I go into a new or even old environment I wish to stay in. This forum is good place to do that and
really all of us on this forum want to have a fun safe time in Mexico. So, all of us should keep that focus and not hide or run from what is out
there but work together to make it to where "we" can still have the fun and safe times when in Mexico. Doesn't matter if your American or Mexican
everyone wants to be safe and have fun not problems or be harmed. Hope all stay safe---No Hurry No Worry Just Fun-----Later, bajafun777
|
|
|
Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty
|
|
Mr. BillM.
I could not have said it any better....now maybe this thread will die of natural causes....
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
