Anyone Traveling to the US

TurboFreak said:
We always hear about travel warnings telling us to not travel to certain countries. Well here is an interesting twist. I spent Easter with a bunch of rabble-rousers in Ensenada Mexico and came upon the article below. :rock:

http://www.bajatimes.com/articlesDetail.asp?sid=732
Click to expand...

it was in our papers also... that so many US where "behind bars"... o well, doesn't surprize me knowing you members....:p :p :D
 
I think we in europe can all take responsibility for letting standards slip so badly in the colonies.Time to send over a gunboat to sort em out?:nurse:
 
The article is pretty silly really. The places that typical tourists would visit in the US are actually quite safe. There are dangerous areas, but I wouldn't expect to see tourists cruising Compton at 2 am either.

Yes, we do have a problem with the number of people in prisons. But most are in for non-violent crimes, in fact most are in for drug related crimes.

Don't get me wrong, I really love Mexico, have even thought about moving there. But the crime there is of a different sort. Tourists are targeted for crime. This past year there has been a real problem along the toll roads, fake cops are pulling people over and robbing them, or worse.

There is also a big problem with kidnapping in Central and South America. Like I said, the crimes are different, and usually more violent than here in the US. I don't think it is very likely that a visitor here will be accosted in Anaheim or Orlando.
 
Crime is everywhere not just in Compton, South Central and Inglewood. I live near the Soboba Casino and remember a crime spree here and other casinos where people hitting it big were being targeted and robbed. The same goes for criminals following rental cars from Hertz, Enterprise etc. because they suspected they were easier targets being that they were probably tourists.

Crime is certainly different in Mexico but most of its violent crimes are targeted at other drug cartels not its normal citizens or tourists.

BTW, those cops are most likely off duty cops not fake ones, lol. That makes it even worse in my eyes.

I have never heard/read of a Columbine/VA Tech happening in other countries. That is not to say it does not happen maybe I just am not aware of any.
 
Well, I'm not all that far from Soboba either, maybe 15-20 miles. And I can honestly say that there is no crime around here to speak of. Hell, I moved here about 6 years ago, and I have yet to lock my doors. To be honest, I wouldn't even know where to begin looking for the keys. I don't lock the cars when they are parked at the house either.

But I also do go to Compton at 2 am. And I have never seen anything there to be scared of either. It sure isn't anything like Hollywood or the 6 o'clock news (practically the same thing) would have you believe.

And there has been an increase in crimes against Americans in Mexico. They have serious law enforcement issues, which you touched on. Are there still soldiers posted on every corner in TJ? That says something right there about your safety and just how precarious the situation is. Again, I'm not personally afraid to be there, but I would have to give some serious thought to having my family there with me.
 
Since we're on the subject Barry, I will be arriving in Amsterdam Sunday April 13th as a stop over before heading to Norway for a month. I will try not to make it onto the world news because.. well... you KNOW us members.:D
 
Venom Power said:
Since we're on the subject Barry, I will be arriving in Amsterdam Sunday April 13th as a stop over before heading to Norway for a month. I will try not to make it onto the world news because.. well... you KNOW us members.:D
Click to expand...
Norway for a month? Sounds like a good trip. Though I'm not sure you would be able to get me out of Amsterdam LOL.
 
I have never been robbed by the police in the US. I have in Mexico. Maybe the difference is in corruption and reporting of crimes. I would rather live in a place where criminals are incarcerated than roaming in uniform.
 
OCBob said:
Well, I'm not all that far from Soboba either, maybe 15-20 miles. And I can honestly say that there is no crime around here to speak of. Hell, I moved here about 6 years ago, and I have yet to lock my doors. To be honest, I wouldn't even know where to begin looking for the keys. I don't lock the cars when they are parked at the house either.

But I also do go to Compton at 2 am. And I have never seen anything there to be scared of either. It sure isn't anything like Hollywood or the 6 o'clock news (practically the same thing) would have you believe.

And there has been an increase in crimes against Americans in Mexico. They have serious law enforcement issues, which you touched on. Are there still soldiers posted on every corner in TJ? That says something right there about your safety and just how precarious the situation is. Again, I'm not personally afraid to be there, but I would have to give some serious thought to having my family there with me.
Click to expand...
One of my sisters lived in Vail Ranch near Red Hawk(Temecula) and the other lived in Bear Creek(Murrieta) then later La Cresta and I worked in Wine Country off Anza in Temecula and even in those areas had crime. I live in San Jacinto/Hemet in a relatively new development and I had my lighted reindeer stolen and damaged right from my front lawn. While on vacation I left my truck at my mothers house which is about 10 miles away in a newer development(2-3 years old) and they stole my truck. That same day they stoled my nephews car(He left it running while he went back into the house for his wallet at 5 A.M.).

The soldiers were not around probably because of Easter weekend but they were only there to capture drug lords not stop everyday type crimes. Usually there is a check point guarded by soldiers on the toll road leading to Rosarito but they were not there. I feel extremely safe there.

I have been to other countries and can tell you that Mexico is not the only country to have armed soldiers on street corners. I remember seeing them in Rome too.


:eek:fftopic: I think if we legalized certain drugs we would be better off. A lot of crimes are committed by people wanting to buy drugs plus we have to feed and shelter them in jail after their convictions which costs us millions.:dontknow:
 
luvsrt said:
I have never been robbed by the police in the US. I have in Mexico. Maybe the difference is in corruption and reporting of crimes. I would rather live in a place where criminals are incarcerated than roaming in uniform.
Click to expand...
My friend was beat and robbed by a Polish police officer in uniform while visiting relatives in Chicago. But then again Chicago and New York officers still take bribes so corruption is more prevalent there.
 
I live in Canyon Lake, and I am telling you the truth when I say I don't even know where the keys to my house are, and I have never locked the doors.

I have never heard of a cop in uniform just beating and robbing anyone, either. And take my word for it, I'm no fan of cops, that's just hard to believe. I'm not calling either of you a liar, it's just that I have never heard of anything quite like that. I've seen cops do some pretty shady stuff, but never straight up strong armed robbery hehe.

And there in part is my point. Something like that happening in the streets of Chicago is very hard to believe. Had you said it happened in TJ, no one would doubt it. Because anyone that's ever been there knows it does happen there, it's a fact of life. In fact, I had heard that the reason the soldiers were on the corners in TJ was to keep the cops from robbing tourists and working with the cartels.

I'm sorry. I really mean no offense to Mexico, when I said I love it there I meant it. But there is no way in hell that anyone can convince me that the US is a more dangerous place to visit than Mexico is. Or any number of other countries. I can't imagine there are many places in the world safer to travel to than the US. I'm sure there are some, maybe Canada, some European countries, not sure where else there might be any though.

I just think the article was run of the mill anti-Americanism. It's pretty rampant these days. And yes, there are many Americans that are more than happy to join in for some strange reason. Self loathing maybe? Anyway, I'd bet dollars to donuts that is the category that the "author" of this article falls into.
 
The fact that so many are in prison in the US should be a positive in the article if it were unbiased. We lock up the criminals in the US. In Mexico, the police are the criminals and I know that from personal experience. It is well known to all living in a border town that you might get arrested and robbed at any time when you go to Mexico. We all knew to hide the majority of our money in case we were questioned by police. Me and many friends were robbed by police many times in Mexico.

Of course no one is in jail in Mexico. The country can't afford to jail people. It costs a lot to feed and house inmates. Besides, the cops are the criminals as I said. I am not afraid to visit Mexico, even with my family. I know it will just cost me some cash and I will be fine. The Mexican cops are mostly harmless thieves. They just want your cash. No one I know was ever injured by the Mexican police - robbed yes, but not injured other than a little mental anguish.

The article reeks of anti-americanism. Most likely, it was written to try and stimulate the Mexican economy by getting Mexican people to spend money in their own country.

All that being said, we certainly have crime in the US. Nowhere else do kids shoot up their schools and classmates. We Americans have too much time on our hands and just have it too good in many ways. These kids feel no sense of self because they are handed so much. Everything comes too easy in the US. We don't really know what hard times are for the most part. None of these kids that shoot up the schools had much of a rough life. They feel like nobody's and want to make a name for themselves. It's sad. Our society has it's own problems for sure but I would rather struggle with too much time on my hands and a lack of meaning in my life than have to fight for my life every day to survive as many in other countries do.
 
All very interesting..Lets face it..the world has crime..doesnt matter where you go, what time of day, you might find it..It as at many different levels..If you ever get more than 3 people in a room for any length of time, sooner or later someone will come up with a way to get something from another person..
I believe people are generally good, but turn due to environment, or some imbalance..I know people who are borderline psychotic, downright mean, but would still have them over for dinner..
 
Isn't Canyon Lake a private gated community? If so that is probably why there is no crime.

BTW, I think the Baja Times is owned/operated by Americans living there since it is written in English. I know there are a lot of retirees and snowbirds living in Mexico.
 
OCBob said:
You talking about me Matt?


hehehehehehehhehehehe
Click to expand...


mmmm..cooouulllddd beeee rrraaabbbbiitttt...lol..
I aint askeered..I had Mikey using my toilet for 3 days last year..lol
 
OK, Here is my 2 cents :D

As a police officer, I receive information about "Violent" Crimes in this country as compared to other countries in world, quarterly. These are crimes that are "Reported". Based on the info., the United States is the "most" violent contry in the world. We do incarcerate more than others, that is "reported." The punishment for crimes in the United States is less severe than other countries. We have something called Probation and Parole which is not heard of in other countries. This allows for repeat offenders, which drives our crime stats up. Our judicial system is extremely slow compaired to other countries. Most definetly our jails are extremely more human than most.
Some countries require the families to support the family member incarcerated. If they dont, then he will probably die. We enjoy our freedoms and that comes with a cost. I cannot provide any stats of crimes committed against US Citizens versus Crimes committed against foreign tourist.
I will say this, I dont care what country you visit, Its not wise to piss off the police in countries outside of the US. The punishments are severe.

Have a good day :D
 
Georgia Ken said:
OK, Here is my 2 cents :D

As a police officer, I receive information about "Violent" Crimes in this country as compared to other countries in world, quarterly. These are crimes that are "Reported". Based on the info., the United States is the "most" violent contry in the world. We do incarcerate more than others, that is "reported." The punishment for crimes in the United States is less severe than other countries. We have something called Probation and Parole which is not heard of in other countries. This allows for repeat offenders, which drives our crime stats up. Our judicial system is extremely slow compaired to other countries. Most definetly our jails are extremely more human than most.
Some countries require the families to support the family member incarcerated. If they dont, then he will probably die. We enjoy our freedoms and that comes with a cost. I cannot provide any stats of crimes committed against US Citizens versus Crimes committed against foreign tourist.
I will say this, I dont care what country you visit, Its not wise to piss off the police in countries outside of the US. The punishments are severe.

Have a good day :D
Click to expand...
:rock: It is not wise to piss off any here either.
 
Right out of the headlines today. I can't remember the last time I saw 2000 troops with machine guns guarding the entrance to Disneyland. hehe
*****************************************************

The Mexican government has ordered 2,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in response to a wave of drug-related violence that is blamed for 200 deaths since January, officials announced Thursday.

The troops are expected to depart Friday. The majority will be near the northern border of Mexico, in Juarez.

Juarez sits across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas.

Officials said the violence in Mexico has increased in large part to competing drug cartels.

"In this battle we will show that no criminal group is capable to resist the strength of the Mexican government," Interior Minister Juan Mourino said at a news conference Thursday.

Defense Secretary Guillermo Galvan said 2,026 soldiers, 180 military tactical vehicles, three airplanes and more than a dozen drug detection devices would be employed in the military operation.

"Violence, and this needs to be stressed, generates organized crime of drug trafficking," said Mexican Attorney General Medina Mora. "It's not in any way a sign of strength, but a sign of weakness, deterioration and decomposition."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Support Us

Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Random Media

IMG 0232
truck 010
my 3 loves
after
Back
Top