Quote CASA
"....my lovely bride of 32 years has traveled to Tijuana with me many times as well and does not worry about my safety anymore that she would if I was going to Chicago, New York or Salt Lake City...."
"Despite your efforts to be cynical coupled with a touch of overreaction, Tijuana is as safe as any large city in the US. While I’m not suggesting that you visit Avenida Revolution late at night by yourself, I am telling you and others that, AS A TOURIST, visiting Tijuana is no big deal."
That darn US government ....
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
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This information is current as of today, wed Jul 16 2008.
Mexico
April 14, 2008
This Travel Alert updates information for U.S. citizens on security situations in Mexico that may affect their activities while in that country. This supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated October 24, 2007, and expires on October 15, 2008.
Violence Along The U.S.-Mexico Border
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Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal justice officials, and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region. In its effort to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens are urged to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.
Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with heavily-armed narcotics cartels have escalated to levels equivalent to military small-unit combat and have included use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. Confrontations have taken place in numerous towns and cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California, and Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements there cannot be predicted.
Armed robberies and carjackings, apparently unconnected to the narcotics-related violence, have increased in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. >>>>Dozens of U.S. citizens were kidnapped and/or murdered in Tijuana in 2007. Public shootouts have occurred during daylight hours near shopping areas.
Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles.
U.S. citizens are urged to be especially alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. While Mexican citizens overwhelmingly are the victims of these crimes, this uncertain security situation poses risks for U.S. citizens as well. Thousands of U.S. citizens cross the border safely each day, exercising common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas of border towns during daylight hours. It is strongly recommended that travelers avoid areas where prostitution and drug dealing occur.
Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. There is no evidence, however, that U.S. citizens are targeted because of their nationality.
U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance.
FYI
About one and a half years ago on Calle International, the street that parallel the US border Mrs Miller and I were involved in a Mexican Police shoot out in the middle of the day. Mrs. Miller was driving - She slammed on the brakes, some how shut of the engine. I grabbed her covered her body with mine as the battle ragged on the street a few feet away After what seemed like eternity and the exchange of a number of rounds an individual was apprehended. After the individual was securely in custody the Mexican Police did not demonstrate the restraint of the Americans law enforcement authorities
Every one including my wife immediately started their engines and departed the scene ...For the Mexicans another day at the office... for us a cardiac event. It was not fun!
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