Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Captain Solo]

Looks like the New Generation and Sinaloa cartels are murdering each other to use Baja California to smuggle drugs, as the inland routes between Sinaloa and the US border are saturated and fiercely fought over.

http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-...htmlstory.html

Drugs are likely ferried over the 100 mile width of Sea of Cortez from LOS Mochis (El Chapo's home town) or Cuilacan, then driven up North via the single route connecting Cabo San Lucas, La Paz to Tijuana and Mexicali.

It's sad Los Cabos police chief Juan Manuel Mayorga was shot dead last week. He was probably resisting being bought to work for the cartels. Mexico has to clap down a lot harder on smuggling and possession of automatic weapons, and expands undercover and financial investigations into the cartels.

[Hargow20]

Thank for update. The crime trends are important because when there is more gang wars the street crime increases as well. Just use keep your guard up and use due caution all.

Zerohedge: "Mexico Suffers Deadliest Year Ever: Violence Hits Cabo, Tourist Havens".

"Local authorities near the beautiful tourist town of Los Cabos on the Baja California peninsula found six bodies suspended from three different bridges this week.

Authorities did not want to comment on the details surrounding how the men got onto the bridges, but Reuters suspects "drug gangs", who often hang the bodies of their murdered rivals in public for intimidation purposes.

According to official data in November, there were more murders in October in Mexico than any other month over the past 20-years.

The latest spree of violent crime has surged in Baja California, especially around the multi-national resorts of Los Cabos, with yearly visits attracting more than one million foreigners. To make matters worse, LOS Cabos police chief Juan Manuel Mayorga was assassinated last week, as the once calm resort town descends into chaos.

Hotel Prices in Los Cabos (as of 12-21-17) have collapsed amid the violence spiraling out of control in the area."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-1...tourist-havens

Good news: Cheap vacations and hotel rooms available now! Bad news: Bodies hanging from bridges may spoil your view of the scenic areas.

[Travv]

Zerohedge: "Mexico Suffers Deadliest Year Ever: Violence Hits Cabo, Tourist Havens".

"Local authorities near the beautiful tourist town of Los Cabos on the Baja California peninsula found six bodies suspended from three different bridges this week.

Authorities did not want to comment on the details surrounding how the men got onto the bridges, but Reuters suspects "drug gangs", who often hang the bodies of their murdered rivals in public for intimidation purposes.

According to official data in November, there were more murders in October in Mexico than any other month over the past 20-years.

The latest spree of violent crime has surged in Baja California, especially around the multi-national resorts of Los Cabos, with yearly visits attracting more than one million foreigners. To make matters worse, LOS Cabos police chief Juan Manuel Mayorga was assassinated last week, as the once calm resort town descends into chaos.

Hotel Prices in Los Cabos (as of 12-21-17) have collapsed amid the violence spiraling out of control in the area."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-1...tourist-havens

Good news: Cheap vacations and hotel rooms available now! Bad news: Bodies hanging from bridges may spoil your view of the scenic areas.

[Jicks]

Use google translator.

http://www.el-mexicano.com.mx/inform...les-en-tijuana

[SBeach25]

On the way in I avoided stamp by going through Mexico line. I don't want to fill my passport up on stamps each time. The Mexican woman the first time said I could buy that six month pass and avoid stamps. Not sure the details beyond that. Got patted down coming back to America on foot on a quiet night with no line. Not even 9 pm. Border patrol was grumpy. Didn't ask where I went as far as strip clubs, I had on jeans and t-shirt. He was so determined to find drugs as bas as the Mexican police but at least with the Mexican police I was ready for it. When this guy said to empty my pockets and put my hands up. I was shocked and when I didn't empty them in full cause I was fumbling my money he got all cranky like I'm a prison inmate.

The passport card will avoid any future crossings for stamps. As for the 6 month visa, if you plan on going more than 5 times in 6 months, get the visa. Its like $27 from what I remember and you can just walk over on the mexican line to avoid the delay when you enter PedEast. They will stamp the visa and no longer stamp your passport.

[Dg8787]

You can renew your Global entry card within 1 year ahead of your expire date. So I went ahead and did it early to make sure Tijuana chicas won't go crazy without their regular orgasms hehe.

Applied on line, paid $100, added another car for free. 1 week later I got a new GE card in the mail, good for another 6 years, no interview, no inspection required.

State Dept must be very happy with my culture exchange program with the chicas of Mexcico.

Thanks for the info that you can renew GE 1 year in advance. I had thought it was 90 days only. Just finished online renewal and it said they will notify me about coming in for interview.

[Artisttyp]

The CBP agent checked your passport and then patted you down on the spot?

It's happened to me before.

[Phordphan]

On the way in I avoided stamp by going through Mexico line. I don't want to fill my passport up on stamps each time. The Mexican woman the first time said I could buy that six month pass and avoid stamps. Not sure the details beyond that. Got patted down coming back to America on foot on a quiet night with no line. Not even 9 pm. Border patrol was grumpy. Didn't ask where I went as far as strip clubs, I had on jeans and t-shirt. He was so determined to find drugs as bas as the Mexican police but at least with the Mexican police I was ready for it. When this guy said to empty my pockets and put my hands up. I was shocked and when I didn't empty them in full cause I was fumbling my money he got all cranky like I'm a prison inmate.

The CBP agent checked your passport and then patted you down on the spot?

[Captain Solo]

For me Tijuana is way too hot and gritty in the daytime without the sexy appeals of night time. Friday left HK and got to the border at about 1 PM.

There were long lines of cars waiting, but SENTRI lanes were moving fast with the exception of the bus lane to the right. The bus lane was blocked by a red Mini Cooper being stopped and inspected by 4 CBPs right after it entered the US, passed the border demarcation bumps. CBP was going through her trunk. A poor girl was sitting in the car. Her face grew long in extreme desperation, like she was thinking of spending the next 10 to 15 years of her life in prison.

A CBP pair slowly escorted her car into the secondary inspection hangar. Looked like they got information and was waiting for her. I felt really sad for the poor girl. Lots of informants and ugliness go on near and across the border. One can easily be set up and get crushed in the criminal system. If you ever get a glimpse at the massive and frightening organizations the federal government has put in place to fight terrorists and smugglers, you would never want to fuck with federal law enforcement.

I got to the booth. The bearded CBP guy asked if I had anything to declare and quickly waved me through. Total wait time at the border was 10 minutes. I suspect the Fed already secretly nominated me for a medal as the most law-abiding citizen of the year hehe.

Mid day Friday, the line of cars going South on I5 to Mexico for the long weekend stretched out about 5 miles, inching along at about 10 MPH.

[Captain Solo]

Average crossing time 15 minutes day or night, week days or week ends.

Re. WombatEd2 With that card, when you're driving, which line do you go through? Ready Lane, SENTRI, or?

[WombatEd2]

You can renew your Global entry card within 1 year ahead of your expire date. So I went ahead and did it early to make sure Tijuana chicas won't go crazy without their regular orgasms hehe.

Applied on line, paid $100, added another car for free. 1 week later I got a new GE card in the mail, good for another 6 years, no interview, no inspection required.

State Dept must be very happy with my culture exchange program with the chicas of Mexcico.

With that card, when you're driving, which line do you go through? Ready Lane, SENTRI, or?

[Captain Solo]

You can renew your Global entry card within 1 year ahead of your expire date. So I went ahead and did it early to make sure Tijuana chicas won't go crazy without their regular orgasms hehe.

Applied on line, paid $100, added another car for free. 1 week later I got a new GE card in the mail, good for another 6 years, no interview, no inspection required.

State Dept must be very happy with my culture exchange program with the chicas of Mexcico.

[MongerHunger]

Is it safer to walk from revolucion in order to not be telling the cabbie that you've at least 120 dollars on you? When they here Hong Kong they assume on average you have 250 dollars on you. I wonder if its bad idea. If you walk from revolution you can get jumped. For 2 dollars its worth their time to jump you.

Breakdown your cash to smaller bills before crossing the border. Also make sure you get some pesos too before crossing over. Why would you tell a cabbie about any amount of money that you have? That's your business. Who assumes people at HK have $250 on them at any given time? Where are you getting this information from? I think that you are too paranoid. Just relax, move methodically and deliberately, be certain and decisive, add chicas, mix / stir, consume and have fun.

[Hargow20]

The pedestrian bridge is fairly safe. I have only had one incident where this one guy walked behind me and demanded money from me in all my years of crossing the river. Luckily he only got $20. The main thing is to try and walk with other people and constantly look to see who is behind you. There is video cameras on the bridge, but not so sure how often the cops monitor them.

I'll add my 2 cents. I won't wade into the fantasy vs. Fact. But I will relay my story. I'm a guy who has never traveled to Tijuana with anyone else. More often than not, I walk to ZN, over the bridge. Granted, I'm a big guy. By Mexican standards, I suppose 5'11" is tall. I'm also a bit overweight (& wonder if that makes me more or less of a target).

I would just ditto what was already said. Keep your head on a swivel. I've never seen anything like 7 rateros jumping someone. I had one incident personally, where I was certain I was going to be mugged by 2 guys. I followed advice I read here and kept one eye on the back of my head. So I saw it coming. I turned and walked towards them (my thought was. OK at least going to know what's coming). I looked them right in the eye and they backed off.

My point, be aware. I'm 100% certain they were going to jump me if I didn't face them. (This was near the ZN side of the bridge, about 9 PM. Between Piri and Revolucion. Not my smartest move!

[Dcrist0527]

I'll add my 2 cents. I won't wade into the fantasy vs. Fact. But I will relay my story. I'm a guy who has never traveled to Tijuana with anyone else. More often than not, I walk to ZN, over the bridge. Granted, I'm a big guy. By Mexican standards, I suppose 5'11" is tall. I'm also a bit overweight (& wonder if that makes me more or less of a target).

I would just ditto what was already said. Keep your head on a swivel. I've never seen anything like 7 rateros jumping someone. I had one incident personally, where I was certain I was going to be mugged by 2 guys. I followed advice I read here and kept one eye on the back of my head. So I saw it coming. I turned and walked towards them (my thought was. OK at least going to know what's coming). I looked them right in the eye and they backed off.

My point, be aware. I'm 100% certain they were going to jump me if I didn't face them. (This was near the ZN side of the bridge, about 9 PM. Between Piri and Revolucion. Not my smartest move!