Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Phordphan]

Hi Country John and others,

I have been wanting to go to Zona Norte for a few years now and I've finally decided that its about time to make the trip. I've been reading all the safety guides, forum posts, etc and I wanted to make sure I have everything lined up before I ventured down south.

Just to be extra safe I wanted to check this with you guys:

1. If I stick to the "well established" clubs (Hong Kong, Adelitas, Chicago), is it safe to purchase bottled water and food? Any chance of THE CLUB trying to drug/harm you?

2. "Entering Mexico On Foot" and using taxis, how do you pick a legitimate taxi vs a scammer?

3. Cell phones & Safety? Keep them at home or bring them?

I'd figure the safest way is to follow the guide, park in the states, walk into mexico and take a taxi to the club and walk straight in. Once in the club, you SHOULD be relatively safe right? I mean the chances of getting kidnapped, mugged, drugged or hurt in any way is very slim correct?

1. Yes. No.

2. Pick a yellow cab. Sit in front. Tell them where you want to go. Do not take no (or some excuse) for an answer. Pay $5, NO MORE.

3. Unless you really need to call someone, leave it at home. If you take it, keep an eye on it. Loads of chicas have "lost" cell phones, etc., from customers. I don't mean that they steal them, just that loads of customers leave them on the table, in the booth, etc., and forget them.

Go easy on the paranoia and you'll be fine...

[Dialtone777]

Hi Country John and others,

I have been wanting to go to Zona Norte for a few years now and I've finally decided that its about time to make the trip. I've been reading all the safety guides, forum posts, etc and I wanted to make sure I have everything lined up before I ventured down south.

Just to be extra safe I wanted to check this with you guys:

1. If I stick to the "well established" clubs (Hong Kong, Adelitas, Chicago), is it safe to purchase bottled water and food? Any chance of THE CLUB trying to drug/harm you?

2. "Entering Mexico On Foot" and using taxis, how do you pick a legitimate taxi vs a scammer?

3. Cell phones & Safety? Keep them at home or bring them?

I'd figure the safest way is to follow the guide, park in the states, walk into mexico and take a taxi to the club and walk straight in. Once in the club, you SHOULD be relatively safe right? I mean the chances of getting kidnapped, mugged, drugged or hurt in any way is very slim correct?

[Dornyone]

Not...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJmmScwbQvo&feature=player_embedded#!

[Sound7]

Uncle Sam Advice for TJ

http://tijuana.usconsulate.gov/citizen_services.html

[Sound7]

Volume 16, Number 5–May 2010

Research/ CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/16/5/757.htm)

Latent Tuberculosis among Persons at Risk for Infection with HIV, Tijuana, Mexico

Richard S. Garfein, Rafael Laniado-Laborin, Timothy C. Rodwell, Remedios Lozada, Robert Deiss, Jose Luis Burgos, Jazmine Cuevas-Mota, Paris Cerecer, Kathleen Moser, Maria Luisa Volker, and Steffanie A. Strathdee
Author affiliations: University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA (R.S. Garfein, T.C. Rodwell, R. Deiss, J.L. Burgos, J. Cuevas-Mota, S.A. Strathdee); Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico (R. Laniado-Laborin); Patronato Pro-Comité Municipal de Prevención del SIDA, Tijuana (R. Lozada); Instituto de Servicios de Salud Pública del Estado de Baja California, Tijuana (P. Cerecer, M.L. Volker); and San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services, San Diego (K. Moser)

Because there is little routine tuberculosis (TB) screening in Mexico, the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) is unknown. In the context of an increasing HIV epidemic in Tijuana, Mexico, understanding prevalence of LTBI to anticipate emergence of increased LTBI reactivation is critical. Therefore, we recruited injection drug users, noninjection drug users, female sex workers, and homeless persons for a study involving risk assessment, rapid HIV testing, and TB screening. Of 503 participants, the overall prevalences of TB infection, HIV infection, and TB/HIV co-infection were 57%, 4.2%, and 2.2%, respectively; no significant differences by risk group (p>0.05) were observed. Two participants had TB (prevalence 398/100,000). Incarceration in Mexico (odds ratio [OR] 2.28), age (OR 1.03 per year), and years lived in Tijuana (OR 1.02 per year) were independently associated with TB infection (p<0.05). Frequent LTBI in marginalized persons may lead to increases in TB as HIV spreads.

Tuberculosis (TB) is endemic to Mexico. The national TB incidence is estimated to be 16.2 cases/100,000, but regional rates, particularly along the United States–Mexico border are much higher (1). Baja California, which shares a border with California, has the highest incidence of pulmonary TB in Mexico (57 cases/100,000), which is >3× the national average (2). Furthermore, California and Baja California have the highest incidence rates of all the border states in their respective countries (1). Transmission of TB from high-prevalence countries to low-prevalence countries, such as the United States, poses a major public health concern. Tijuana, the largest city in Baja California, Mexico, lies ≈20 miles south of downtown San Diego, California, and these 2 cities are loosely separated by the busiest land border crossing in the world, with >90,000 passenger vehicles crossing in both directions daily (3). As a possible consequence of this close binational association, San Diego has a slightly higher incidence of TB than California (8.4 per 100,000 and 7.0 per 100,000, respectively) (4,5).

Otherwise healthy persons with dormant or latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) have a 10% lifetime risk that dormant mycobacteria will become active and cause TB. Persons co-infected with HIV and LTBI have a risk for TB reactivation of 10% per year (6). Consequently, TB is a leading cause of death worldwide among persons co-infected with TB and HIV (7). Although HIV prevalence in Mexico is lower than that in the United States, Tijuana is currently experiencing an emerging HIV epidemic (8), with increasing prevalence observed among high-risk groups such as injection drug users (IDUs) and female sex workers (FSWs) (9–11). The potential for rapid HIV transmission among IDUs in Mexico is highlighted by findings from Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez (a border city south of El Paso, Texas), which showed that 95% of IDUs in these cities had antibodies against hepatitis C virus (a marker of unsafe injection practices), and most IDUs had self-reported risk factors for sexual or parenteral exposure to HIV (12). Thus, there is concern that increased HIV incidence would result in LTBI reactivation among IDUs who spread active TB to other populations, which would lead to a more generalized epidemic.

Overall, IMO, the amount of ladies is down in the Zona is down from last year.

On the weekends, HK seems to have the largest number of women, and lookers, during the day. AB & Las Chavelas pick up at night, and on occasion Bar Tropical and Chicago Club will have a good looking lady, ......

Health & happiness.........

[SuperSteve]

Overall, IMO, the amount of ladies is down in the Zona is down from last year.

I haven't noticed that much of a difference since the infamous bust though. It does seem that the street scene is down, but not due to the bust, as far as I can tell.

On the weekends, HK seems to have the largest number of women, and lookers, during the day. AB & Las Chavelas pick up at night, and on occasion Bar Tropical and Chicago Club will have a good looking lady, or two. The other bars, for me anyway, have been mostly misses, but with cheap drinks.

I was with my amigo who has been doing TJ for many years, many times a year, is fluent in Spanish, and has a stable of favoritas that he sees. This past weekend, none of his usual favoritas were working.

The Zona is in a constant state of Flux, but you can always count on there being some very hot Latina's working.

Health & happiness.........

[Gilgamesh]

busted last night around 3am. many girls without health cards, and some ****. the inspectors took between 40 and 60 girls. some of you might be receiving texts from your girls for bail money, it's probably true. i'll do a drive by later but someone might be there now and able to update or correct this post.

the bust was shown on telavisa this morning at 7am.

country john

hey cj i'm wondering about the ratio since the bust. does anybody have any idea? i've been there many times and hoping to be there early may. hoping for summer beauties to be reloaded by then.

[Bunky]

TJ is a border town with its typical Mexican crime rate which might match the crime rate of certain US cities like Detroit and South Central.

The original poster was clearly asking whether it was safe to visit the Zona Norte, not whether Tijuana in general was a dangerous place. I responded to the question he asked. Mr. Seven's non sequitur regarding the crime rate generally in Tijuana, and his comparison to Detroit and Los Angeles, is inapposite. Even accounting for the fact that English is not likely Mr. Seven's mother tongue, his latest missive merely continues his practice of reducing the signal to noise ratio here.

[Sound7]

I have listed the links for future reference to address the EQ concerns in TJ. When Easter event occured power loss was experienced all the way to LA county in some localities.

Link 2 & 3, take it on face value.


1) http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Maps/115-33.html
2) http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Ameri...pared-to-Haiti
3) http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...ake-today.html

[Sound7]

Bunky: "Tijuana is Perfectly Safe"

Since when? TJ is a border town with it's typical Mexican crime rate which might match the crime rate of certain US cities like Detroit and South Central.

Does that make TJ a perfectly safe town?
No.

Should one visit TJ?
One can during the day time and maximize personal safety.

All you need to do is read the Brockton O'Toole FAQ. Follow your plan to park on the U.S. side and cab it back and forth to the zona norte. If you stick to the Adelita Bar and the Hong Kong Club you don't even need to cross the street. Go on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night to find the best selection of girls.

Regards,

Bunky

[Bunky]

All you need to do is read the Brockton O'Toole FAQ. Follow your plan to park on the U.S. side and cab it back and forth to the zona norte. If you stick to the Adelita Bar and the Hong Kong Club you don't even need to cross the street. Go on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night to find the best selection of girls.

Regards,

Bunky

[SuperSteve]

haven't been to Tijuana in 15 years. How safe is it for a middle aged, pudgy, balding, gringo type guy these days. The plan is to catch a cab to the Zona on the other side of the gate then catch another back to the border a few hours later. Should I believe all the news reports that say its too dangerous, or have they blown the situation out of proportion?

Thanks,

Flyinhi

I am a fat, old dude, gray haired, gringo. I am in TJ about twice a month. I feel very safe in TJ. Does that make it safe, probably not? Just keep your wits about you, and don't get overly drunk.

Last weekend I walked from the Zona to the Ticuan Hotel, Ave. Revo & Calle 8, at 3 AM. I felt safer than it has been due to all the clubs closing at the same time, 3AM. There were thousands of people out on the street. I would suggest that most take a cab though. I had just had a very interesting session, and had to work off some left over testosterone that she didn't get. Give me a young naked woman that I can have s*x with, and I sure as sh*t don't feel 62. LOL

IMHO, do not let the cab drivers talk you into going to the other strip clubs (many will try). With the plan that you have lined out, you should have no problems. Stay on Coahuila at the clubs in the Zona.

Health & happiness...........

[One Wing Low]

There are a lot of older guys hanging out in the alley all night, waiting for their favoritas to show up. Never had problems.

Too many people hanging out. You wont be painted a target for anyone...

If in fear, go and hide in any of the clubs. They have security staff and hired policia to protect their clients...

haven't been to Tijuana in 15 years. How safe is it for a middle aged, pudgy, balding, gringo type guy these days. The plan is to catch a cab to the Zona on the other side of the gate then catch another back to the border a few hours later. Should I believe all the news reports that say its too dangerous, or have they blown the situation out of proportion?

Thanks,

Flyinhi

[Robert St]

Who in their right mind would want to travel to Mexico these days? With all the great travel destinations, why Mexico? Hell, if you want to screw a chica, just look in any direction in the USA.

Please address! Legal brothel in California without "sting operation" or ROB service with price $60 for service and $12 for room (total $72) and I`ll not travel to Tijuana!

[Bubble Sortie]

Who in their right mind would want to travel to Mexico these days? With all the great travel destinations, why Mexico? Hell, if you want to screw a chica, just look in any direction in the USA.

People who don't have much money or time. Not everyone can afford to go overseas a lot, so it's nice to have a relatively local destination to get a quick fix for an affordable price.

I can't speak for everyone else, but the reason I don't go for US chicas is because it takes too much time and effort. It is way easier to just bang chicas for money with ~99% chance of success than it is to try to court chicas the old fashioned way.