Crime, Safety, and the Police

[QUOTE=SeaBeeJoe;2592445]Your right I misquoted, what i meant to say is that 99.5 percent of Covid deaths are among the unvaccinated.

[URL]https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/breakthrough-covid-infections-show-the-unvaccinated-are-now-putting-the-vaccinated-at-risk[/URL]

When scientists developed vaccines to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, their vaccine candidates were judged effective based on whether or not people were hospitalized or died after getting immunized.

Even with delta, almost everyone who dies from COVID-19 99.5 percent of known cases are unvaccinated people, along with 97 percent of people hospitalized for the illness. That suggests that the vaccines are still highly effective, said USA Surgeon General and Dr. Vivek Murthy during a recent press briefing.

The CDC is counting vaccinated people who have been hospitalized or died from the coronavirus. Based on data available so far, that very rarely happens.[/QUOTE]I agree with that 100%. That's why I got the vaccine. And barring real complications, I do not understand the hesitancy some have. I stop short of supporting mandates. And showing how heartless I am, I don't lose a lot of sleep worrying about those that choose to avoid the vaccine. (Obviously, those with conditions that prevent them from getting the shot is painfully tragic.).

But I do think we were misled. Our politicians and our leaders all said this would end the pandemic. Reality is that it might slow the spread for a time but it is crystal clear that it will not stop it. I suspect we're heading to an annual flu shot type approach. And I'm fine with that. What I'm not ok with is forever altering our lives to masks and shutdowns. I will not be held responsible for deaths of those that don't want to help themselves, particularly when there is no real end in sight.

[QUOTE=Travv;2592309]Quote The outcome is basically the same as similar places where restrictions are imposed. ".

The country of Belarus, which imposed no legal lockdown at all throughout the entire pandemic, has released COVID mortality figures which are broadly in line with other nearby countries which imposed draconian lockdowns.

After authorities in Belarus refused to put their citizens under lockdown, the global media had a collective hissy fit, with one headline declaring, "One leader looks hell-bent on turning COVID-19 into a catastrophe for his country."

However, while managing to avoid all the negative impacts of lockdown, the outcome of Belarus' no lockdown policy is far from a "catastrophe..[/QUOTE]Very true! Now, I do think we need to be careful making comparisons between countries. Whether it is social norms, population density, etc. , there are a lot of variables. But yes, studies like Belarus and Sweden should be given consideration. But this is where politics get in the way. We all blame the "other side". That's more important than the truth.

Here again, I think we (as a people) feel like we have to do something. In reality, what did the shutdowns do? At the onset, I don't think it was a terrible idea. There were real shortage issues with ventilators and PPE. We quickly overcame that. That is about the only thing I'll give the government credit for in this whole mess. (And no, I'm not a big Trump fan.) But slowing the spread made sense early on. But that is all the lockdown did. Slowed the spread. It slowed the inevitable. And frankly, it robbed all of us of months and now years of, well, we all know. This is why I say we have have to learn to live with it. That's not a rosy picture. But I think it's more realistic than believing a shutdown or a mask will actually stop this.

Texas is ramping up sex sting with the new felony prostitution law.

They are catching a few of their own engaging in it. Soon most PD officers may be arrested.

[URL]https://www.ketk.com/news/crime-public-safety/15-men-arrested-in-texas-prostitution-sting/[/URL]

BrenShavia Jordan Posted: Oct 13,2021 / 09:15 AM CDT / Updated: Oct 13,2021 / 09:15 AM CDT.

McLennan county, Texas – The McLennan County Sherriff's Department held a press conference Monday in relation to the 15 arrests made by the Human Trafficking Unit.

7 men arrested in Smith County prostitution sting Two of the people arrested are former officers.

The McLennan County Sherriff's Department made all those arrests in just five days during a statewide effort with the office of the Attorney General and Texas DPS.

McLennan County Sherriff Parnell McNamara says they had the highest numbers of arrest made in the statewide effort.

"Houston had 14 individuals arrested," McNamara said. "So you have a city between two and a half and three million people that arrested less than McLennan County did."

As of September 1st, soliciting prostitution is now a state felony – making Texas the first state in the country to prioritize human trafficking this way.

"As of September 1st, buying sex is a felony. It's a very serious offense now, and no longer a misdemeanor," McNamara said.

Between October 4 and October 8, the McLennan County Sheriff's Office's Human Tracking Unit conducted a sex buyer operation online – leading to the arrest of 15 men.

8 arrested in Smith County undercover online prostitution sting.

Two of the men are former law enforcement – Officers Michael Bellis, with the Garland City Marshalls Office, and Willy Lopez, with Waco PD.

"Lopez was a police officer the first time. He was on active duty when we caught him in 2018. Now we've caught him again," McNamara said.

The two undercover detectives, Joseph Scaramucci and Andrew Hermes, shared how they track the offenders leading to an arrest.

"We post ads on those sites and provide information for them to get a hold of us, and once that happens it's just chatting," Scaramucci said.

"As long as they keep buying, we're going to keep putting them in jail," McNamara said. "I am very proud of our guys. 15 people in five days says a whole lot."

He says the majority of trafficking is online – including social media – making it easier to locate the suspect.

"We've worked these cases all over the country, and it doesn't change were you're at," Scaramucci said. "The difference is were flipping more rocks then most agencies are."

Over the past six years, the Sherriff's Department has made over 600 arrests associated with buying sex.

"We have an effort, that I believe, is stronger than anywhere else. And I will put our unit up against anyone anywhere," McNamara said.

The Sheriff's Office also released this statement:

"We will continue to work diligently to eradicate human trafficking from our community, and hold those that purchase victim's accountable."

– MCLennan county sheriff's office.

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2616148]Texas is ramping up sex sting with the new felony prostitution law.

They are catching a few of their own engaging in it. Soon most PD officers may be arrested.

[URL]https://www.ketk.com/news/crime-public-safety/15-men-arrested-in-texas-prostitution-sting/[/URL]

BrenShavia Jordan Posted: Oct 13,2021 / 09:15 AM CDT / Updated: Oct 13,2021 / 09:15 AM CDT.

McLennan county, Texas The McLennan County Sherriff's Department held a press conference Monday in relation to the 15 arrests made by the Human Trafficking Unit.

7 men arrested in Smith County prostitution sting Two of the people arrested are former officers.

The McLennan County Sherriff's Department made all those arrests in just five days during a statewide effort with the office of the Attorney General and Texas DPS...[/QUOTE]Yeah, but big whoop! Whining about the USA Not having legal P4P in the US, is like whining about woketards in Cali, a waste of time. The reality is the people have spoken from there its up to you whether you want to live with it or not. I, and many other expats, could just as easily say the same thing about Thailand as in if only drugs were decriminalized, but they aren't and won't be any time soon. If you really need available working girls I'd suggest work on finding an occupation that allows you to live abroad like I did (almost 8 years now). Even while living abroad I lived in a couple spots where P4P wasn't good and I didn't stay there very long (S. Korea and Taiwan), simple as that. I do admit that with the US economy tanking and labor shortages going back to the states is somewhat enticing monetarily, not to mention great MJ and craft brews, but that also means dealing with woketards and having to actually put forth effort to bed even a fatty so at the end of the day its not worth the hit I'd take in quality of lifestyle. No place is perfect, you have to pick your battles. Just like with anything else.

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2616148]Texas is ramping up sex sting with the new felony prostitution law.

...[/QUOTE]I'm all in favor of discouraging Texans from having sex. There's already too many Texans in this world.

(ducking and running).

I knew a few Texans in the US government years ago. They were a bunch of horny guys, always talked about who's hot, who's not among the federal workers, and who got their hands on whom how many times.

I understand bible-thumping Texans drove Lyndon be Johnson to commit massive ground troops into the long and bloody Vietnam war. Texas oil men gave suitcases full of $500 to Howard hunt and G Gordon Liddy to carry back to Richard Nixon to buy congress votes to continue that war, apparently just to punish the Godless Communists.

Texas oilmen were spearheaded by George Bush Jr. To start the war in Irag to secure the oil supplies. Then Sec of Defense was Dick Cheney, and executive of oil service firm Halliburton.

While Texas girls are some of the nicest, sweetest, prettiest, I do have the impressions Texan are meaner and more extreme than mainstream America. Do you know why the Feds usually convene grand juries to arrest and prosecute major cases without precedents like Backpage? Yep. It's because Texas grand juries a far more likely to indict suspects than other less extreme states.

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2616969]I knew a few Texans in the US government years ago. They were a bunch of horny guys, always talked about who's hot, who's not among the federal workers, and who got their hands on whom how many times.

I understand bible-thumping Texans drove Lyndon be Johnson to commit massive ground troops into the long and bloody Vietnam war. Texas oil men gave suitcases full of $500 to Howard hunt and G Gordon Liddy to carry back to Richard Nixon to buy congress votes to continue that war, apparently just to punish the Godless Communists.

Texas oilmen were spearheaded by George Bush Jr. To start the war in Irag to secure the oil supplies. Then Sec of Defense was Dick Cheney, and executive of oil service firm Halliburton.

While Texas girls are some of the nicest, sweetest, prettiest, I do have the impressions Texan are meaner and more extreme than mainstream America. Do you know why the Feds usually convene grand juries to arrest and prosecute major cases without precedents like Backpage? Yep. It's because Texas grand juries a far more likely to indict suspects than other less extreme states.[/QUOTE]Well they stole Texas from Mexico after being invited to homestead it by them LOL. Only in America!

Sam Houston and his 800 militias defeated the Mexican army, about 1500 troops with cavalry and artillery, under General Antonio López de Santa Anna in a fight that lasted only 18 minutes. Santa Anna was still in his underwear screwing some girls in his tent when Sam Houston assaulted his camp and routed his troop.

Texans are very tough people, but the girls are very beautiful, nice, sweet, proper.

[URL]https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/battle-of-san-jacinto[/URL]

On April 21, 1836, during Texas' war for independence from Mexico, the Texas militia under Sam Houston (1793-1863) launched a surprise attack against the forces of Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (1794-1876) at the Battle of San Jacinto, near present-day Houston, Texas. The Mexicans were thoroughly routed, and hundreds were taken prisoner, including Santa Anna. In exchange for his freedom, Santa Anna signed a treaty recognizing Texas' independence.

There's a post today on facebook group Tijuana insider. A black guy was killed the sister said Halloween night or the next day either in HK or outside. Killed by his friend though she's saying. But she's looking for information as doesn't believe it. Anyone with info to tell her should look at Tijuana insider group on Facebook. He was staying at HK hotel.

I was walking around the Zona Wednesday between 2:30 and 4 after walking over from the San Ysidro train station. Kept my head on a swivel- no problems over the long bridge- others were walking there and some vendors were selling things on both ends. In the blocks between the bridge and the Zona, there were a few sketchy guys, mostly single, who may have been on drugs, but I stayed away and they did not approach me. In the Zona, it was fairly busy. Multiple chicas on every block- some very cute and a few over 40. Did not go in any of the clubs- just walked around shopping for the one and found her. Afterwards, walked around the same blocks a couple more times thinking of round two but decided to head back to the US. I was dressed very plainly in jeans and blue jacket and just smiled at everyone as I walked around. Got a lot of smiles back and some psst pssts. I turn onto Coahuila and hadn't walked 20 feet when a police car pulls in ahead of me and two male police get out of the car slowly. I am continuing to look straight ahead and they point to me and say something in Spanish. I tell them no hablo and then one says in English- put your hands on the car. So I do. They start pulling everything out of my pants and jacket pockets and put it all on the hood next to my hands. They are not finding anything because I don't have anything. I am watching every hand go in every pocket so they are not trying to plant anything on me. Then they start the BS. "A camera saw you walking around with a friend. Where is your friend?" Me- I am here by myself. "Do you have any drugs?" Me- no. "no pills?" Me- no. They make me take my cell phone cover off. Then I get- "where are you from?" "what is your occupation?" "where are you going now?" I have been totally calm this entire time and cooperative and they have nothing. So then I am told to be careful if walking back to the border by myself and they let me go.

This is not my first time in Tijuana or doing what I was doing. But what I was left with is- I think I was the only gringo in the Zona for that time period who was walking around outside. And I believe that someone must have called the policia to tell them there was a gringo walking around. Which means we are targets no matter how we act. Every other chica was on a cell phone. Or maybe they do have some cameras watching the area. Just don't have any drugs on you, especially pills. My money was left alone and I made it back safely.

[QUOTE=Stinger;2636525]I was walking around the Zona Wednesday between 2:30 and 4 after walking over from the San Ysidro train station. Kept my head on a swivel- no problems over the long bridge- others were walking there and some vendors were selling things on both ends. In the blocks between the bridge and the Zona, there were a few sketchy guys, mostly single, who may have been on drugs, but I stayed away and they did not approach me. In the Zona, it was fairly busy. Multiple chicas on every block- some very cute and a few over 40. Did not go in any of the clubs- just walked around shopping for the one and found her. Afterwards, walked around the same blocks a couple more times thinking of round two but decided to head back to the US. I was dressed very plainly in jeans and blue jacket and just smiled at everyone as I walked around. Got a lot of smiles back and some psst pssts. I turn onto Coahuila and hadn't walked 20 feet when a police car pulls in ahead of me and two male police get out of the car slowly. I am continuing to look straight ahead and they point to me and say something in Spanish. I tell them no hablo and then one says in English- put your hands on the car. So I do. They start pulling everything out of my pants and jacket pockets and put it all on the hood next to my hands. They are not finding anything because I don't have anything. I am watching every hand go in every pocket so they are not trying to plant anything on me. Then they start the BS. "A camera saw you walking around with a friend. Where is your friend?" Me- I am here by myself. "Do you have any drugs?" Me- no. "no pills?" Me- no. They make me take my cell phone cover off. Then I get- "where are you from?" "what is your occupation?" "where are you going now?" I have been totally calm this entire time and cooperative and they have nothing. So then I am told to be careful if walking back to the border by myself and they let me go.

This is not my first time in Tijuana or doing what I was doing. But what I was left with is- I think I was the only gringo in the Zona for that time period who was walking around outside. And I believe that someone must have called the policia to tell them there was a gringo walking around. Which means we are targets no matter how we act. Every other chica was on a cell phone. Or maybe they do have some cameras watching the area. Just don't have any drugs on you, especially pills. My money was left alone and I made it back safely.[/QUOTE]You are overthinking it big time.

It's Christmas and you are a white (I assume) gringo walking the Zona. It could have been you or anyone else. They were just looking to roll up on someone to see what they could get from you. It happens to most mongers in the Zona. Carry On.

[QUOTE=Stinger;2636525] This is not my first time in Tijuana or doing what I was doing. But what I was left with is- I think I was the only gringo in the Zona for that time period who was walking around outside. And I believe that someone must have called the policia to tell them there was a gringo walking around. Which means we are targets no matter how we act. [/QUOTE]Sure it does not mean you are paranoid?

[QUOTE=Stinger;2636525]I was walking around the Zona Wednesday between 2:30 and 4 after walking over from the San Ysidro train station. Kept my head on a swivel- no problems over the long bridge- others were walking there and some vendors were selling things on both ends. In the blocks between the bridge and the Zona, there were a few sketchy guys, mostly single, who may have been on drugs, but I stayed away and they did not approach me. In the Zona, it was fairly busy. Multiple chicas on every block- some very cute and a few over 40. Did not go in any of the clubs- just walked around shopping for the one and found her. Afterwards, walked around the same blocks a couple more times thinking of round two but decided to head back to the US. I was dressed very plainly in jeans and blue jacket and just smiled at everyone as I walked around. Got a lot of smiles back and some psst pssts. I turn onto Coahuila and hadn't walked 20 feet when a police car pulls in ahead of me and two male police get out of the car slowly. I am continuing to look straight ahead and they point to me and say something in Spanish. I tell them no hablo and then one says in English- put your hands on the car. So I do. They start pulling everything out of my pants and jacket pockets and put it all on the hood next to my hands. They are not finding anything because I don't have anything. I am watching every hand go in every pocket so they are not trying to plant anything on me. Then they start the BS. "A camera saw you walking around with a friend. Where is your friend?" Me- I am here by myself. "Do you have any drugs?" Me- no. "no pills?" Me- no. They make me take my cell phone cover off. Then I get- "where are you from?" "what is your occupation?" "where are you going now?" I have been totally calm this entire time and cooperative and they have nothing. So then I am told to be careful if walking back to the border by myself and they let me go..[/QUOTE]This is normal. Or routine if your not Latino looking. I guess, to put it simply, yeah race does matter. The non Latino guys are gona get rolled by policia in that area anyway. I've never been stopped in Playas or rest of Tijuana. But in Zona norte probably 4 times. Walking around the block more than once makes you stick out even if your are Latino. The police told you about the camera so that you don't try and harm them. They don't want a incident of violence going down that will have to be explained to the boss. They just want to get money out of you specifically for having a Viagra which they assume half the guys have. He wanted to charge me for having a Viagra I told him sorry bud Viagra not illegal. The 1st time I got rolled I was angry. Now I consider it part of the experience. What were your plans if 2 dudes with a knife demanded your money on the bridge? Walking that bridge, is about the worst place in zona norte to be walking. The bus is 10 pesos.

Stinger,

I have been pulled over in my car 5 or 6 times, searched, but I stood my ground and policias never touched me up or stole from me.

Policías profile skinny guys wearing shabby dark clothes like drugs addicts or dealers, less likely based on races in or in other factors. If you look like their profile, you are more likely hassled. Just change your looks they will leave you alone.

Know your rights, protect your cash and valuables and enjoy la zona.

Well, I wasn't really complaining too much about it here. I was kind of mystified and was trying to warn anyone else that might be in the Zona for the first time and might have some pills. I did not know there was a bus, though I knew I could ride the taxis. I used to come down 20 years ago and I have always walked both ways (in the daytime). Where do you catch the bus and what does it say on it? Thanks.