Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Captain Solo]

WTF AMLO is talking about?

What about millions Mexican citizens and businesses having to pay extremely high cartels' taxes or get kidnapped, tortured and murdered?

What about millions Mexicans hooked on cartels' meth and fentanyl?

Mexico has gone down the shit hole.

AMLO succeeded in turning Mexico into a failed state and a narco state. He likely pocketed billions $ drugs money from the cartels. Mexico's government is useless. Cartels own Mexico and her people. Cartels are Mexico's overlords.

https://apnews.com/article/mexico-pr...89d67adb02e447

Mexican president claims that criminal groups are 'respectful' and 'respect the citizenry'.

FILE. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gives his regularly scheduled morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, April 15, 2024. Lopez Obrador said Thursday, April 25,2024, that the country's violent criminal gangs and drug cartels are essentially "respectful people" who "respect the citizenry" and most just kill each other. (AP Photo / Marco Ugarte, File).

Updated 12:56 PM PDT, April 25,2024.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's president said Thursday that the country's violent criminal gangs and drug cartels are essentially "respectful people" who "respect the citizenry" and mostly just kill each other.

The claims by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador are clearly at odds with the reality of millions of Mexicans who live in areas dominated by drug cartels. The cartels routinely demand protection payments from local residents and kill or kidnap them if they refuse to pay.

A reporter asked López Obrador whether drug cartels behaved well when he visited the township of Badiraguato, Sinaloa — the hometown of imprisoned drug lord Joaquíand "El Chapo" Guzmáand, which he has controversially visited as president about a half dozen times.

"Always!" López Obrador responded, adding that "Sometimes we come upon people who are strange, but respectful."

Continuing on the subject of drug cartels at his morning news briefing, López Obrador said "There is something people should know."

"Fortunately, the attacks that happen in this country generally occur between (criminal) groups," the president said. "They respect the citizenry."

FILE. This combination of two file photos shows Xochitl Galvez, left, arriving to register her name as a presidential candidate on July 4, 2023, in Mexico City, and Claudia Sheinbaum, right, at an event that presented her as her party's presidential nominee on Sept. 6, 2023, in Mexico City. The two women, considered the frontrunners in Mexico's presidential election, discussed social spending and climate change in the race's second debate Sunday, April 28,2024, which also included Jorge Álvarez Máynez. (AP Photo / Fernando Llano, File).

López Obrador has long refused to directly confront the cartels, who he claims were forced into criminality by a lack of opportunities. His "Hugs, not bullets" strategy offers job training programs for youths so they won't become cartel gunmen.

In the past, he has also appeared to normalize the gangs' presence, encouraging Mexicans to negotiate peace pacts among the cartels.

But saying the cartels don't attack common citizens takes the issue to a new level. Experts and rights activists say thousands of Mexicans have been forced from their homes by cartel violence and extortion, and thousands of business owners, taxi and bus drivers have been killed for refusing extortion demands.

Clandestine grave sites throughout Mexico are filled with the bodies of drug cartel victims.

Thursday's statements by López Obrador come one week after he said he won't fight Mexican drug cartels on USA Orders. In what the president called a "Mexico First" policy, he said "We are not going to act as policemen for any foreign government. Mexico First. Our home comes first."

Over the years, López Obrador has laid out various justifications for his policy of avoiding clashes with the cartels. In the past he has said "you cannot fight violence with violence," and on other occasions he has argued the government has to address "the causes" of drug cartel violence, ascribing them to poverty or a lack of opportunities.

López Obrador has also encouraged leaders of the Catholic church to try to negotiate peace pacts between warring gangs.

Explaining why he has ordered the army not to attack cartel gunmen, he said in 2022 that "we also take care of the lives of the gang members, they are human beings. ".

He has also sometimes appeared not to take the violence issue seriously. In June 2023, he said of one drug gang that had abducted 14 police officers: "I'm going to tell on you to your fathers and grandfathers," suggesting they should get a good spanking.

Asked about those comments at the time, residents of one town in the western Mexico state of Michoacáand who have lived under drug cartel control for years reacted with disgust and disbelief.

"he is making fun of us," said one restaurant owner, who asked to remain anonymous because he — like almost everyone else in town — has long been forced to pay protection money to the local cartel.

López Obrador has also made a point of visiting the township of Badiraguato in Sinaloa state at least a half dozen times, and pledging to do so again before he leaves office in September.

It's also a stance related to prickly nationalism and independence. Asked in November why he has visited the sparsely populated rural township so many times, López Obrador quoted a line from a defiant old drinking song, "because I want to. "

The president has also imposed strict limits on USA Agents operating in Mexico, and limited how much contact Mexican law enforcement can have with them.

[Hargow20]

I have noticed yesterday that they put up some new lights in the old shoppinglll by the pedestrian bridge. Not sure how long they have been there. But I am glad there is more lights there. Also noticed that some new video cams. The question is how often the police monitor the video cams. My impression is that video cams are not actively monitored by LE. There is video cam's on Roosevelt st in National city and on El Cajon blvd. The girls in NC ignore the video cam's for the most part.

[Sol12]

I wonder if he got permission from Mexico to carry. I was at a car wash in Cacho and saw an Audi SUV with CA plates. A guy got out and had an AR15 slung across his chest like he was ready for combat and could tell the muzzle brake was worn. I wonder if it was due to age of weapon or use. Also they ever solve that issue where the OC prosecutor / DA got in an argument with policia in Rosarito and then later found he flew off the second floor of the hotel he was staying at? News said he slipped off and over the balcony with mysterious bruising on his body. I would rather stay low key than bring attention on yourself.

That guy with the AR15 could of been a number of things but I'the guarantee that he wasn't any US officer with special permission to carry a gun in Mexico.

The guy I ran into definitely didn't have permission he had just heard things and didn't realize what a nightmare he would have had if he got caught with it.

They finally let the dumb American out of jail after a year for getting caught with a gun going into Tijuana.

Nothing ever happened with that the, they had an article a few weeks ago about it because it had been a year and the wife had pretty much moved on. To me I was more suspicious about her and if she had anything to do with it either by accident or on purpose. Many things didn't make sense to me. Also that whole thing about the police could of been a complete lie by her. The husband seemed to be very comfortable in México and if the police were looking to do something they would of done it then not come look for the guy at his hotel.

[KBToys]

It won't matter, Tijuana cops will assume it's fake and the chance of even getting talked to by Tijuana cops is slim. I don't think it would hurt to have it on him in general but seems unnecessary to me.

This question reminds me of one night sitting at the bar in CC sand an American guy was trying to talk to me and somehow it came up that he was a cop back in the US and he had brought us gun with him to Tijuana. He even showed me, I wished him luck but in my head I was wondering how dumb you'the have to be to bring a gun to Mexico but he was worried about the crime. The one thing I have always wondered since that visit is if he had problems with the US officials because this was after 9/11 and they had installed the metal detectors.

I wonder if he got permission from Mexico to carry. I was at a car wash in Cacho and saw an Audi SUV with CA plates. A guy got out and had an AR15 slung across his chest like he was ready for combat and could tell the muzzle brake was worn. I wonder if it was due to age of weapon or use. Also they ever solve that issue where the OC prosecutor / DA got in an argument with policia in Rosarito and then later found he flew off the second floor of the hotel he was staying at? News said he slipped off and over the balcony with mysterious bruising on his body. I would rather stay low key than bring attention on yourself.

[Hargow20]

I agree bringing a badge to Tijuana is unnecessary. You will not have any problems beyond being stopped unless you have drugs or doing something illegal. The key is to take your money out of your wallet if the cops do stop you. But even then the police have been searching far fewer tourists especially if you are on foot. This is one of the main reasons why I do not drive in Tijuana.

It won't matter, Tijuana cops will assume it's fake and the chance of even getting talked to by Tijuana cops is slim. I don't think it would hurt to have it on him in general but seems unnecessary to me.

This question reminds me of one night sitting at the bar in CC sand an American guy was trying to talk to me and somehow it came up that he was a cop back in the US and he had brought us gun with him to Tijuana. He even showed me, I wished him luck but in my head I was wondering how dumb you'the have to be to bring a gun to Mexico but he was worried about the crime. The one thing I have always wondered since that visit is if he had problems with the US officials because this was after 9/11 and they had installed the metal detectors.

[Jackie888]

Asking for a friend who will be traveling to Zona Norte with me next month. I've been several times, but his first. He is a retired cop, but still maintains a "commission" and badge. Is there any advantage or disadvantage for him to carry his badge with him? I don't think he plans to flash it around, but he thinks it might be helpful if there are any encounters with the local law enforcement.

If carrying a badge, he could have a bad day if stopped by a Mexican cop moonlighting as muscle for the cartel. And he thinks that your buddy is DEA since gringo cops has no jurisdiction in Mexico. Maybe your buddy should keep it simple and leave all official stuff home. Mexican cops may have dubious employers.

[Sol12]

Asking for a friend who will be traveling to Zona Norte with me next month. I've been several times, but his first. He is a retired cop, but still maintains a "commission" and badge. Is there any advantage or disadvantage for him to carry his badge with him? I don't think he plans to flash it around, but he thinks it might be helpful if there are any encounters with the local law enforcement.

It won't matter, Tijuana cops will assume it's fake and the chance of even getting talked to by Tijuana cops is slim. I don't think it would hurt to have it on him in general but seems unnecessary to me.

This question reminds me of one night sitting at the bar in CC sand an American guy was trying to talk to me and somehow it came up that he was a cop back in the US and he had brought us gun with him to Tijuana. He even showed me, I wished him luck but in my head I was wondering how dumb you'the have to be to bring a gun to Mexico but he was worried about the crime. The one thing I have always wondered since that visit is if he had problems with the US officials because this was after 9/11 and they had installed the metal detectors.

[Scbb1]

Was he a US cop or Mexican cop,

Asking for a friend who will be traveling to Zona Norte with me next month. I've been several times, but his first. He is a retired cop, but still maintains a "commission" and badge. Is there any advantage or disadvantage for him to carry his badge with him? I don't think he plans to flash it around, but he thinks it might be helpful if there are any encounters with the local law enforcement.

.

[RexRiver]

Asking for a friend who will be traveling to Zona Norte with me next month. I've been several times, but his first. He is a retired cop, but still maintains a "commission" and badge. Is there any advantage or disadvantage for him to carry his badge with him? I don't think he plans to flash it around, but he thinks it might be helpful if there are any encounters with the local law enforcement.

[RexRiver]

I never said the AMPS were legal, just open for business. Get on some of the USA Escort forum sites and you will see what I'm talking about. Are you at risk of getting busted? There's always that chance. Are you at risk of getting assaulted or killed in Tijuana? Also a possibility. There is nothing in life that is a certaintity, but death and taxes. I pay my taxes and death awaits me. In the mean time, I intend to life!

FYI, my knowledge of the AMPS is not just reading about them on sex forums!

[Sol12]

Well we all know why the airlines feel confident those flights will be booked, at least 1 way, to Mexico. I bet there 99% empty going back.

I understand what your implying but Mexico is cracking down on migrants flying into Tijuana. Just got back from GDL and Mexican Immigration officers were checking ID of the passengers before getting on the plane at the gate. Also the normal immigration when you come thru Tijuana was making everyone show ID also.

Last year coming back my flight had a good number of very poor looking Chinese immigrants on the plane that weren't being allowed into Tijuana at the airport but I just walked by so not sure if they were sent back or had to pay the guys off.

I would be surprised if the planes empty going back since lots of business men are looking to do more business with Mexico. Also it's still easy for legit tourists to visit the US since the US has decreased the number of flights from China. Also the flight that's supposed to start in April will go from China to CDMX. But when leaving will stop in Tijuana but they didn't specify for how long. Something about the high altitude of CDMX not allowing the plane full to make it directly to China. So it has to stop in Tijuana and I think get full of fuel to make the long return.

I think the flights starting in June will be directly to and from Tijuana but it was supposed to start last year but keeps getting delayed.

[Dogers69]

Well pretty soon you might see those Chinese tourists roaming thru HK again because they are bringing that flight back this year. Hopefully as soon as April for one and the other one I read about before was supposed to come back in June if I remember correctly.

Well we all know why the airlines feel confident those flights will be booked, at least 1 way, to Mexico. I bet there 99% empty going back.

[Sol12]

I used to see Chinese tourists that flew directly from China to Tijuana but those are long gone since the pandemic.

Well pretty soon you might see those Chinese tourists roaming thru HK again because they are bringing that flight back this year. Hopefully as soon as April for one and the other one I read about before was supposed to come back in June if I remember correctly.

[Dogers69]

AMPS are illegal in the US so they're pretty much not an option.

I saw on the news thwres more AMP then Starbucks in USA. China mafia is involved with the operations. For instance I am in suburbs east coast there's Asian massage parlors every shopping center. I once realized a tiny 3 store shopping center on the highway was actually a mini zona norte. All 3 offices had their own types of woman Latino Asian blacks LOL. And.

[Sol12]

Mexico is deploying 240 more national guard soldiers in Tijuana to control crime. !!

Would be interesting to see where the soldiers will patrolling.

https://news.yahoo.com/more-national...204020316.html

Well the Tijuana papers didn't have much to say as far what exactly they are going to do. Claim it's for public safety but things have been pretty calm for the most part besides some attempted hit on a high ranking drug leader. Also says that they are for relief so some soldiers that have been in Tijuana for awhile might be getting rotated to somewhere else.

Personally I'd guess that they will be mostly used to help keep migrants from crossing the border. They've had problems close to PedWest where they are building a new wall and migrants have been using that breech as a spot to cross. Read last week they had 100 cross in a big rush. They even threatened to close PedWest down again if it couldn't be secured. They are also having problems with more migrants crossing in the eastern part of the city closer to Tecate.