qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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Please don't let this get out of hand. I have posted a poll question on my blog in hopes of gleaning some true "first-hand" information regarding victims of rving crimes here in Mexico. Please go to my blog and answer the question regarding "first-hand" crime. You can choose more than one answer.
If you have been a victim, post a detailed comment of the crime; who, what, when, where, why and how. I will be glad to host your information. Any hearsay reports or comments from my friends in Picadilly DoDang Bottoms will be deleted.
This information is extremely important as it will become a meter for rvers making the decision regarding their Winter trips South. Mexico is a great country to rv in and I would hate for anyone to miss out on the great sights, food, and fun. However, those who have been "first-hand" victims will help us in this process.
As of today, I only know of one auto theft which occured last year. Many things went wrong in the cause of the theft but the outcome and resolution by the Mexican insurance carrier were more than expected.
Thanks again for your understanding.
On edit, everyone who has rved in Mexico should answer the poll question. I have added the answer, "No, I have never been a victim of crime in Mexico".
* This post was
edited 10/02/08 08:09pm by qtla9111 *
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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bilmo
Fulltime
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Joined: 07/29/2006
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Guess close should count. We were visiting friends at the beach over Holy Week. The friend's wife was ill and we spent a lot of time trying to find medical help. Returned to the rig late and didn't put the generator away. It was chained to the ladder. Someone tried to take it, but woke us up and we chased them away (worthless dogs didn't bark!). Thought that was the end of it, but they came back in 15 minutes and tried again. If they had bolt cutters they would have made it, but were hacking their way through the handle. Locked it up and no problem.
Got an extension cord and 5 gal bucket taken in Veracruz. The bucket was protecting the extension cord from the rain. We all know that a 5 gal bucket is a business!
Got to see an armed robbery of the folks in the vehicle in front of us in Mexico City. Was so dumbstruck, forgot to take pictures of the perp--a taxi driver.
In that time we have had our generator, power washer and some clothing stolen in the US. Doesn't count being ripped off by various service type folks over that same time. All in all, still feel safer in Mexico. Practice situational awareness.
BillMoRex&Princess
'06 Chev D/A--'08 Cardinal 35 SB
Fulltiming since 8/93
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hopak
Point Reyes Station, Ca. / Crestone Co.
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Joined: 10/15/2004
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Good idea; could use a few more categories; i.e. eyewitness to a crime
etc.
I spent over 5 months & drove 7K miles last year. My first extended trip in Mexico. I managed to be in a couple of dicey situations (in addition to the usual shake downs by the trafficos in Toluca and Acapulco ). A holdup try on the road between Lake Chapala (just outside the town of Vulcanos sp?) and PV where a local drove up and warned us and got us on our way just as 5 men on horseback appeared out of the arroyo next to where we were stopped for a rest. Heard about 2 assaults and robberys from friends one with a knife(first hand accounts) and a second hand account of a highway robbery on the road near Morelia. I foiled an attempted pickpocket by a well dressed guy with a red baseball hat in the main market in Patzcurao. My truck was rammed by a drunk while sleeping at a Pemex and we witnessed a carjacking near CJ while crossing the border in April.
My wife and I had a fantastic trip overall. But the though of returning to Norther Mexico gives us pause. Definitely felt more secure and comfortable in the South. Too bad the North comes first.
Certainly not what I'd expect traveling in the US. Although our cities probably have an equal share of crime - Oakland Ca. for instance. Will I travel Mexico again - yes and will visit the Bahia this Winter.
A recent book worth reading for Mexico travelers in "God's Middle Finger" by Richard Grant. Can't vouch for the accuracy of reporting but a great read. And will give a real understanding of the drug trade and culture of the North.
* This post was
edited 10/05/08 04:24pm by hopak *
2002 Dodge,diesel, 3500,4x4,auto/od,ex,cab, 01 Bigfoot 25c 10.5
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ALBQ
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Joined: 12/13/2004
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I marked the "No I was not a victim" poll but I just remembered that fateful night last year in Kino. I had left my Halogen Lamp out and the next morning it was gone. By Yiminy I was ripped off. I have been going to Mexico since 1980 by plane and for the last 16 years by rv feeling safe and secure. Inspite of the crime wave which swept me up last year I will be down there again come December a wiser, more cautious and more aware of my surroundings type of guy with a new Halogen Lamp which set me back $13 bucks US. Buy the way a friend of ours E mailed us that after we left a couple in the rv park had a new Halogen Lamp at their site.(I hope they bring it in at night).
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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We Lost 1 Bike which was Cable Locked to The RV , many Years ago at Los Cerritos on Baja. Other than that have Never had a problem Ourselves although do know of a couple of B&E's that happened to Friends! First one at Los Cerritos and the other at Las Jaibas in Mazatlan!
* This post was
edited 10/16/08 12:47pm by robatthelake *
Rob & Jean 90 Southwind John Deere/Oshkosh/Freightliner Class A Ford 460/ Toad 92 Tracker 2 wd 5sp Convert Still running Great!
" Everything in it"Still" Works"
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rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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Joined: 09/30/2006
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Marked, "No I was not a victim". The closest we have come is when a young lady in a Toll Booth tried to short us 10 pesos.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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Great. People are voting and we are getting some numbers. If you meet anyone on the road this weekend that has rved in Mexico encourage them to vote and/or leave their story. The poll will close next Monday night.
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Canadian Rainbirds
Vancouver Island (Winter: Mainland Mexico)
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Joined: 02/06/2008
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7 winters, almost 100,000Km, bike stolen from behind motorhome at Playa Escondida in Mazatlan a couple of years ago--stupid idiot forgot to lock it up! Side mirrors stolen from toad parked overnight on the street in Cuernavaca about 6 years ago (we had been staying atg the house there for 6 weeks! . Like this would never happen in Canada or the US--HA! Paid "infracion" directly to policeman twice (once at fault, once not) Probably won't pay again. Two years ago talked policeman in PV out of giving me a ticket! (he knew I was in the right) That REALLY probably wouldn't happen up here!
We leave for the south again in less than 2 weeks. See you on the road
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stanbnv
Goldendale WA, La Peñita de Jaltemba, Nay.
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Joined: 02/03/2006
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I marked "No I was not a victim", but the first time I went down in 2005, I did pay a 110 peso "fine" to a transito in Mazatlan for turning left against a red left arrow, (which I did, but didn't see it until I was already turning). It probably would have cost me a lot more NOB.
Stan & Linda
Loki & Hobo
06 Dodge 3500 CTD 6 sp Quad Cab Bighorn
04 Laredo 29GS
"The Chief Warrent Officer was unimpressed by everything and seldom spoke except to express irritation."Joseph Heller,Catch 22
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MurrayD
Calgary
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Joined: 09/13/2004
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I marked that I had been " forced" to pay a bribe that happened in Puerto Vallarta, but after I did that I recalled another incident last year in Guadalajara. My DW and I were attending a Spanish Immersion course in Guad and were staying with a wonderful Mexican family. The last night we were there, the parking in front of the house was all full, so I parked about a half block down and around the corner on a side street. In the morning when we were leaving, I noticed that the mirror (glass only) on the driver's side of my pickup had been stolen. On the way out of town I stopped at a GM dealership for a replacement and then noticed that the grill on my pickup had been stolen as well. The guys in the Parts Department said the mirror was not available in Mexico but they could go to a glass shop and get a replacement cut, although the built-in turn signal would not be on it. They quoted me 8500 pesos for replacements (mirror and grill), but said they could go to an aftermarket place and get cheaper parts (7000 pesos for both parts). I agreed (like a total idiot) and the parts Mgr left to get the parts. When he returned he had the grill and a replacement mirror COMPLETE with all the wires and turn signal. He said that would be an extra 1000 pesos and I agreed as I wanted the proper mirror. I probably bought back my own stolen mirror. 
So maybe I should have marked down that I was robbed twice...once by the thieves that stole my mirror and grill and once by an unscrupulous GM dealership!
* This post was
edited 10/03/08 07:49pm by MurrayD *
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