FYI- BAJA NORTE VIOLENCE.

[GHI]

Family of 4 here currently traveling through Central America in a rental. Stopped at a tourist attraction the other day to watch some crocodiles under a bridge. It took exactly 12 minutes from parking until the attempt break in of my vehicle.

The 40 yr old male who offered to watch our vehicle was on his walkie talkie almost immediately after we walked off. I know we’re targets and am very aware of my surroundings so I waited and observed just out of sight.

I kid you not a G-wagen pulled up to block the view from the roadway while the walkie talkie guy pulled out his burglar kit. I yelled out “hey” while running toward them. Thankfully they left in a hurry.

Replacing my Redoxx backpack might have stung a little bit, but losing my glasses and contacts were not an option. I didn’t hesitate. Just reacted as I’m sure these 3 fellas did. I’m certainly second guessing my international travels.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Until you can legally carry down there you have no defense. I know, it doesn't make it right, but what's your options?
Mexico, not much different than Compton or Chicago.

 

[gator70]

I never stated it was safer. I stated it is easier to defend yourself in the U.S., mainly because you can legally carry a firearm. More of course goes into self defense, but it certainly helps.

No reason to get overly emotional about this, I only stated a fact.

Would you be safe with a firearm against multiple meth infused men with firearms who had already killed Mexican nationals?

I doubt a firearm protects you, unless you are trained military.

 

[Wyo37]

Would you be safe with a firearm against multiple meth infused men with firearms who had already killed Mexican nationals?

I doubt a firearm protects you, unless you are trained military.

I would at least have a chance to fight back. Especially if there were multiple assailant.

I am not saying carrying a firearm is the end all for self defense. Situational awareness and good decision making matter more. But training with and carrying a firearm is a part of personal safety.

Even the possibility of having a gun could be a deterrent. Do you think those suspects in Mexico didn't feel confident knowing their victims were surely unarmed? Of course they knew the victims probably didn't have a firearm.

 

[gator70]

I would at least have a chance to fight back. Especially if there were multiple assailant.

I am not saying carrying a firearm is the end all for self defense. Situational awareness and good decision making matter more. But training with and carrying a firearm is a part of personal safety.

Even the possibility of having a gun could be a deterrent. Do you think those suspects in Mexico didn't feel confident knowing their victims were surely unarmed? Of course they knew the victims probably didn't have a firearm.

I think the armed suspects had encounters more than once with someone who had a firearm and they were very skilled at killing. Peers in Mexico in those circles carry firearms.

 

[Mike McMullen]

I would at least have a chance to fight back. Especially if there were multiple assailant.

I am not saying carrying a firearm is the end all for self defense. Situational awareness and good decision making matter more. But training with and carrying a firearm is a part of personal safety.

Even the possibility of having a gun could be a deterrent. Do you think those suspects in Mexico didn't feel confident knowing their victims were surely unarmed? Of course they knew the victims probably didn't have a firearm.

There wear 3 guys, all in there 30's all fit, there were 2 guys and a girl trying to get the tires/truck? My guess is the three surfers though they had a good chance of winning. Pure speculation on my part.

 

[Mike McMullen]

For surfers/ campers/ Baja explorers "in the know"...

Anywhere along the coast between the border and El Rosario de Arriba has been considered "no mans land" for remote camping since the late 80's! Almost every Baja "horror story" has happened in that stretch!

If you have to remote camp in that region:

Be out of view of any heavily traveled double track!

Keep to yourself. DO NOT party with locals ( mostly fishermen and low wage farm hands from the local huge co-op farms).

Travel with a scary big dog!

Make sure at least one in the group stays sober at night, and if locals pull into your camp... Pull out your Wrist Rocket and load 3/8" ball bearing!

Most of the murders have happened when the campers were in view at night by "meth heads" that want your cash or something of value to trade for their next bindle. The best way to handle situations like this is make things go "sideways" for your intruders, before they make it go sideways for you!

The Federal Police in most cases are just curious. They have gotten quite professional in the last 20 years or so and want you to feel safe and welcome in Mexico. If you want to "get on their good side" at the check points, hand out pairs of well made socks (trumps old Playboy's now that they have the internet).

This is mostly right on. I was by myself solo on the beach, kayak fishing last year. I posted up by a a old hotel (Now closed, but had stayed there in the past) place for a couple of nights. I did it as the lizard voice was saying it was bad and I should run.
I still go to San Quintin there are plenty of places to stay for free that are 80% + safe. I love the area and have people that I know there, even if i don't stay with them we stay in touch.

Stuff I don't do anymore when I am solo in Baja:

No camp fires.I want to become invisible QUICK.

If I see autos or boats at night, I am not there. light out, head down.

When a local shows up at camp uninvited I start listening to that lizard voice, I have left a couple of camps at sunset to be away after dark.

I no longer believe in Baja Karma. If you know than you know.

Stuff i still do:

Remote camp in Baja, I have doing it for 50 years.

I am giving to my charities with my time and money. (Maybe a little karma?)

Get to know the locals, go to the baseball, football, games they are very cool, You will make dear friends even you don't speak much Spanish.

I'll collect toys, (McDonalds happy meals from friends) Cheap balls, Paper and pens and art stuff and school supplies for kids.

Fishing stuff the locals. Yard sale rods and reels, no crap. Hooks, line, lures.

Meet people with a open hand and a smile.

I have a deep love of Baja and it's people. I will look at it with caution, but I will not let other peoples fears determine how I live my life. I'll let fate decide the rest.

 

[Wyo37]

I think the armed suspects had encounters more than once with someone who had a firearm and they were very skilled at killing. Peers in Mexico in those circles carry firearms.

I'm not going to argue with you.

If you don't want the capability to defend yourself, cool. Don't.

 

[gator70]

In the high desert east of Bakersfield California is a very rural land and few land owners. The Mexican cartel moved in, forcefully bought out the land owners, with ultimatums. They built many grow farms. The California Sheriff refuses to go to this area because they get machine gun fire upon them. It is so bad, the Californian officials are considering the national guard to clean this up. My point here is crime is not a Baha exclusive. And any citizen with a handgun is easily outnumbered. Many of the cartel groups are very close to "paramilitary" trained. (or experienced)

I often thought how could I defend myself in a situation. I found simple smoke bombs, and a $300 rechargeable flamethrower, fairly small and easy to handle that shot out 35 feet of intense flame. Now, I may be foolish, but one single handgun will do little to protect me.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Appears to me you have toy self defense against high powered weapons, a losing battle.
Might be safer in baja.
Humorous not funny, sheriff dept refusing to uphold laws..priceless.

 

[Ace Brown]

Time to call in Harry Callahan.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ozarker]

I found simple smoke bombs, and a $300 rechargeable flamethrower, fairly small and easy to handle that shot out 35 feet of intense flame.

I checked Harbor Freight, Granger and Amazon, no flame thrower available. Just where do you get one for $300? And if it is a DIY thing, please provide instructions.

As far as a handgun, I'll use my 9mm, 15 shot, so 3 bad guys shouldn't be much work.

I don't speak "Mexican" Spanish, all I can say is hello, bye and pass the salt, so I have no business down there, besides, I'd rather go to Hawaii! If I need to play in a sand box there are plenty north of the border. No desire to go there.

 

[gator70]

flamethrower - I never tried it

 

[hankgs]

SPANISH / CRIME

Ensenada industrialists express concern about insecurity after attack on surfers​

by jesalgarcaMay 6, 2024

By Alejandro García/THE BAJA POST
The industrialists of Ensenada, members of the National Chamber of the Processing Industry (Canacintra), expressed their concern about the high-impact crimes, robbery of businesses, vehicles and homes registered in the first quarter of the year, since they alter the tranquility of the population and reduce the confidence of investors to launch projects.
Ragnar Gutiérrez Abarca, president of the organization, indicated that in the case of high-impact crimes such as intentional homicides, 35 occurred in the first quarter, in addition to another 6 that occurred between April and so far in May, among which the 4 bodies found in the vicinity of the Santo Tomás delegation.
Among these, he said, are the bodies of the three tourists who had been reported missing and who had allegedly been shot to death by criminals in that area.
He considered that after what happened with the surfers, coupled with the confrontation between national criminal gangs, some areas of the economy such as tourism and other business areas could be affected.
Through a press release, I stated that it was thanks to the publication of that unfortunate event that they were found with some speed, but it is not the same case as the around 7 thousand missing people reported by the different search groups that operate in the entity. that also need to be found.
«We are also concerned about shoplifting, which totaled 111 cases, 51 during March alone; to home habitation, 161; automobile, 360; and robberies with violence on public roads, 222, all in the first quarter of 2024, plus those that have been accumulating," said the leader of Canacintra in Ensenada.
Gutiérrez Abarca expressed that the concurrence of the three federal, state and municipal government powers is urgent, so that there is an effective fight against crimes and reduce the rates of impunity that prevail in almost the entire country and of which Baja California does not. It is exempt.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Similar to the US, the governments all across this country are aware of the bad actors, and there are many, but choose to ignore until revenue or tourism is affected. Then, the narrative becomes ' we've seen a rise ' or, 'we've noticed more frequent gang activity.. same old story.. maybe people have too many rights.