With all of the problems in northern Baja, especially lately aroung Rosarito, it has really hurt the tourist industry----and it looks like the government authorities are responding----a very good thing!
Even though as they state, the crimes have not extreme against visitors, it really is about perception--but this still should help
Rosarito police update
FYI:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 22, 2008
Rosarito Continues Major Police Upgrades and
Improvements for Resident and Visitor Safety
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO---The new city administration here is continuing with major police department changes to improve security for its 140,000 residents and more than one million visitors a year.
“Crime is not rampant in Rosarito and we have had very few crimes involving our visitors,” said Mayor Hugo Torres. “But any is too many and, although we have many fine officers, we have had a problem with police extortion.”
The ongoing effort will include creation of a special Tourist Police Force and a special ombudsman’s office, which will be available around-the clock to assist visitors with any complaint or legal problem.
Torres took office Dec. 1, after a decisive victory in a mayoral race in which he pledged to make security and police reform top priorities.
Torres, the principal owner of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, was a leader in the vote for city hood in 1995 and was appointed its first mayor for a three-year term. This time in office, he has vowed to make it the model city he always hoped it would become.
Among the new administration’s actions to date:
• Jorge Montero, a 41-year-old former Army captain, has been brought in as police chief
• In December, all the city’s 150 officers were disarmed so their weapons could be tested for possible crime involvement and they were also sent for polygraph exams
• Military and state and federal police were brought in as replacements during the screening
• At least four former officers have been fired. One, a former deputy commander, has been arrested in connection with a December assassination attempt on the new police chief
• Officers’ salaries have been raised 15 percent, with the opportunity for a 25 percent monthly bonus for good performance
• Academy training will be required of new officers
• A 12-member Tourist Police Force will begin operating in about a month in areas heavily frequented by visitors. Officers will have special uniforms and patrol cars and their chief will work from the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Ricardo Moreno, a former federal police officer and state prosecuting attorney, has been named ombudsman. His job is to assist visitors with any problems. In case of a crime occurring, he will fill out paperwork for them so it can be reported. He and support staff will be on call 24 hours day
“Before, it could be difficult for people to report crimes at the state office because of language barriers,” Moreno said. “Our office eliminates that problem. People can always reach us through the Rosarito Convention & Visitors Bureau, which will always be staffed.”
Torres said the current perception of crime problems in Baja exceeds the reality, largely because of the highly publicized and visible crackdown by authorities on organized crime.
“But,” Torres said, “the situation needs to be improved and we’ve made great gains. It is a challenge, but with the support of state and federal authorities we will continue to do so. We look forward to showing our many friends and visitors the new Rosarito.”
Supposedly, the Military has been dressing up as Police officers and committing crimes against the Tourists. Conversely, men dressed as soldiers lately have been taking shots across the US/Mexico border at our Border Patrol agents!
Northern Mexico has, apparently turned quietly into the largest costume party in the world!
We are heading for Northern Baja from the south over the next couple of weeks. It will be our next major stop after Bahia de los Angelas. We intend on staying a couple of days. We'll give our impressions when we get there. Although I'm sure there are problems of this nature in the Baja we haven't seen any in the last couple months of our journey. The couple of times we had contact with police they were helpful and courteous. Thanks for sharing the info.
Rocmoc, since you live in Arizona you must have your head buried in the sand if you have not heard about these issues. 253 Mexican Army incursions into the United States have been documented. And before you say this is "heresay"...the sources I quote here include the New York Times and the United States Congressional Newletter. The area commander of the United States Border Patrol Agency also is quoted. The United States Marines stationed in Camp Pendleton, San Diego have been placed on alert as well. When a Foreign country invades or shows the threat of invading the United States, taking hostile actions against Americans...it is very serious. I choose not to spend my American Money in Mexico! And Americans traveling there are seriousily in denial if they think they are safe and secure traveling in Mexico.
I guess this topic will soon be closed, but I would like to state that I live within 8 miles of the Rio Grande river (Rio Bravo, as they call it 9 miles south of here). I, too, have read the Judicial Watch piece previously, and it's very disconcerting, to say the least. Apparently, the drug smugglers have paid the grossly underpaid military to provide backup for their smuggling activities and this certainly argues for placement of some armed military along certain areas of the border, especially in the Arizona border.
I also note that the NY times link given by fordsooperdootydieselsmoker presents you with an article from 1913 when we were having some problems with General Huerta's men. We sent a fellow by the name of Black Jack Pershing in to take care of this problem. Good response, I would say.
It would be a good idea to quote a source more reliable than the NYT. Also, the last link takes you to a site operated by my congressman, Ruben Hinojosa. He quotes part of the Judicial Watch article and there's a blog operated on the site that allows anyone to post there who has an opinion…or an agenda.
Not very good neighbors sometimes. I believe Robert Frost wrote a poem in which he said, "Good fences make good neighbors."
Wm. W. Thompson, PhD
Professor of Marketing
UT-Pan American
Edinburg, TX
fordsmoker, was not trying to be combative. Information is always better and more believable when the sources behind the info is listed.
I am on the border and can say what is reported is not always accurate. In 5 years we have had ONE incursion and USA government officials reported they could not be sure if it was Mexican Army or drug cartel dressed in Army gear.
I will leave you with one thought, not met to be combative but to generate free-thinking. What government agency ever reported improvement so as to eliminate itself?
Thank you for listing your sources and have a GREAT day!
fordsooperdootydieselsmoker wrote: Rocmoc, since you live in Arizona you must have your head buried in the sand if you have not heard about these issues. 253 Mexican Army incursions into the United States have been documented. And before you say this is "heresay"...the sources I quote here include the New York Times and the United States Congressional Newletter. The area commander of the United States Border Patrol Agency also is quoted. The United States Marines stationed in Camp Pendleton, San Diego have been placed on alert as well. When a Foreign country invades or shows the threat of invading the United States, taking hostile actions against Americans...it is very serious. I choose not to spend my American Money in Mexico! And Americans traveling there are seriousily in denial if they think they are safe and secure traveling in Mexico.
You know, there have also been incidences of the US Border Patrol crossing the line in pursuit. It happens and good neighbors use diplomacy when they can to resolve these types of issues.
The history between our two countries has many more instances of the US invading Mexico than the reverse. In fact, during one of these invasions we acquired a good portion of the southwestern US by invading and surrounding Mexico City with troops until they "agreed" to sell AZ, TX, NM and CA to us for a bargain price.
We live in a glass house up in the US, we should stop throwing stones. We should especially shut up about invading other countries illegally.
It's hard to share something nice with others without someone coming along and knocking it. So much hatred around the world.
I found the OP's article hopeful. Things do improve and get better. Thanks goodness all countries aren't alike. It would make for a pretty boring world. I couldn't imagine only having two choices; McDonalds or KFC (yuck).
I just read an interesting article about all the Americans buying in Baja and all the great investment, money and opportunity they bring with them which shows in the local economy.
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