Mexico Flag day Dia de Bandera

Today is Mexico's Flag day or Dia de Bandera. Here you may read a bit of very interesting history of the Mexican Flag and why it was designed the way it is.

Tourism Safety in Rosarito Beach Baja.

The latest on Tourism safety in Baja and Rosarito Beach area specifically. The government and many of it's citizens are working hard to make sure tourist are safe in Baja. These improvements show the growing concern and actions that come from that concern by the Mexican Government. There has been a lot lately done in Los Cabos area as well to deal with the corruption and help make sure that all tourist are safe.

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.”

author Ron Raposa

ronraposa@hotmail.com

Another 5.0 Earthquake Shakes Border near Mexicali

Another in a series of moderate earthquakes shook the US/Mexico border area near Mexicali in Baja California. A 5.o struck at 02:41 PM PST and a second 4.7 at 5:28PM on February 19, 2008. The moderate earthquake is one of 4 quakes stronger than magnatude 5 since February 8th. This area is a highly active quake area, although, although most quakes are less than magnatude 4. Just north of this region, on the US side of the border near Anzo Borego, is Earthquake Valley, which has an average of 1 quake per hour, usually of insignificane proportions.

There are no immeadiate reports of damage
Magnitude 5.0 - BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

Foreign Press Touts the Baja California Peninsula as an Outstanding Travel Destination

The London UK Telegraph paints an encouraging picture for travel to the peninsula from Europe. The the Euro strong against both the US dollar and the Mexican peso travel to Mexico from Europe is a great value. European travelers find the luxury of beach front resorts in La Paz unbelieveably as 40 Euro per night with a Continental Breakfast in La Paz. Beach front condominiums are virtually on sale to European real estate shoppers and Canadians as well. The amount of European investment in Cabo San Lucas has been stunning over the last 5 years.
Mexico: The beauty of Baja California - Telegraph

Passport changes for traveling in Baja

Until recently, Customs & Border Protection (CBP) was saying that full implementation of the Westerrn Hemisphere Travel Initiative (also known as WHTI or the pasport law) could be as early as summer of this year. CPB now has posted on its website that full implementation will not take place before June of 2009.

That means that land travelers to Baja will not need to show a passport (or similar document) upon their return to to U.S. before that time. As of this past Jan. 31, a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) were required for U.S. citizens older than 18. On Feb. 1, applications for the less expensive passport card opened.

Additional details are available on www.cbp.gov

Ron Raposa,
Public Relations
Rosarito Beach

Valetines celebration at Passion in Cabo

From our friends at Passion and Noche magazine. If you sign up soon you may attend their Valentines celebration for free!!

Travel Warning for Baja California in Perspective

Looking at the Facts

This article contains links to the portions of the Mexico Travel Alert that apply to travelers of the Baja peninsula. Since September, 2007 there have been a significant number of stories in the US press regarding incidents involving Mexican travelers, particularly in Baja California ('norte' for the rookies) and that the government is ambivalent or even complicit in these attacks. Surf tours and even the Baja 1000 have expressed concern about returning to Baja.
It is important to put these events in perspective and to acknowledge the fact that government response has not only been immediate, but significant. Neither is it our intent to minimize the precautions travelers to Mexico should exercise to protect themselves and enjoy a fun and safe Mexican experience.

Taking precautions when traveling in Mexico
When traveling in Mexico as a whole and particularly in the border areas tourist should take reasonable precautions. Stay in well traveled areas, avoid driving at night and traveling alone. Do not seek out the most remote camping location or surf beach. Keep your wits, public drunkenness has long been a popular past time for gringos in Tijuana. This not only is a crime which invites a negative interaction with Mexican authorities but also may make you an easy mark for criminals.

Don't carry all your money and credit cards in one place. Put a believable amount cash in your wallet and secure the rest and possibly some of your ATM and credit cards elsewhere. (this technique handy in traffic shakedowns as well) If you are accosted, cooperate fully and don't try and be a hero. Report the incident at once.

'Cutting loose' in Mexico is the thing to do from Tijuana to Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. Tens of thousands come to Baja every week and enjoy a spectacular time. But Mexico, although the most popular foreign destination, is also culturally different from it's neighbors to the north, the US and Canada. Tourists should avoid standing out by apparel, behavior or the flash of cash.
North Americans tend to be a bit naive in foreign travel. We enjoy our secure infrastructure and abundant policing at home and fail to anticipate that the same resources don't exist in all countries. You need to be more keenly aware of events around you when traveling in foreign countries – lets face it, Americans stick out. and not always in a good way.

An important note: Carrying a firearm to protect yourself is not an option. The possession of a firearm and even ammunition can result in jail time in Mexico and is one of the items that military checkpoints are specifically checking for.

Doing the Math
From September to November, 2007 14 attacks were reported on tourists in the border region. During the same time period there were 27 tourist attacks in California State Parks.
A recent press report sited that more Americans were arrested by Tijuana police than in any other foreign destination city. Of course! Tijuana was the #1 foreign city visited by Americans, simply because of the ease of it. More than 60 million persons crossed the border into Baja California last year. That is more than 1500 times more than the number who visited London.
In 2007 352 people were murdered in greater Tijuana. However, compared to US cities of about the same population, Tijuana falls in the 'also ran' category with 17.5 murders per 100,000 people. This compares to a safer San Diego, on the other side of the line with 5 murdered per 100K. However, a great number of US cities have higher murder rates; like Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas and the winner (loser) New Orleans with more than 3 times the murder rate of Tijuana. Yet there is no travel warning for these cities?

30 of the murders in the region involved government anti-drug officials and police. These numbers and gruesome methods horrify Americans - but this is a war. Most of these were new federal officials sent to clean things up. There were others who's allegiance to which side was in question.

Like in the rest of Mexico, kidnapping Baja California increased last year. Twenty six US residents were abducted in the border area last year. Again, looking at the huge numbers of happy Baja visitors, that is half the number of people struck by lightening in the US last year!
Kidnappings for cash of foreigners is rare, as they have no idea what you are worth on face value. Two real estate representatives that were recently rescued by Mexican authorities were abducted by a very amateurish crew that failed to remove the license plates from the abduction vehicle, resulting in the arrest and rescue. These kidnappings are not the work of 'trained paramilitary groups' as some press reports would have you believe.

The violence against US border agents makes prompt and colorful headlines in the US press. Rather, this should have been anticipated, when you squeeze a profitable business like the drug cartels which are, supported by American dollars, the bad guys are likely to push back. In looking at the statistics, there was no evidence that ANY innocent US citizen had been randomly killed in drug violence.

What is being done...
Make no mistake, the government of Mexico is well aware of the importance of US investment and tourist dollars in the development of Baja. Within days of the tragic events of November, the federal government began moving as many as 2000 troops to the region to combat the drug violence and corruption. Nearly half a million dollars was allocated to fund anti crime work in December alone.

The Mexicans of the region have shown they are tired of the cloud of violence impeding their growth and prosperity. Two new mayors elected in the region had combating the crime issue as major platform planks. Recently elected Mayor Torres has appeared several times on San Diego television to outline the steps that are being taken to make Baja travel safer and more enjoyable.
Patrols have been increased dramatically in the tourist regions of Tijuana, Rosario Beach and Ensenada. Military checkpoints now check southbound vehicles as well as those headed north.
Several arrests have been made since November associated with the highway robberies of tourists.

Several arrest have been made in recent weeks involving those suspected of kidnapping two American real estate representatives.

There has been no evidence that links any current member of Mexican law enforcement to any of the violent incidents against tourists.

There has not been an additional incident reported in Baja California since late November and there have been no reported attacks of this kind in Baja California Sur.

Travel safely, use your head and enjoy the warmth of the Baja sun and the people of this amazing peninsula. As the real numbers show, the odds of a successful and pleasant stay in Baja is overwhelming favorite bet.

The Motivation for Misinformation
There are certain publications that seem to be beating the anti-Baja drum, not the least of which being the San Diego Union Tribune. From quashing press releases from Mexican government offices working to improve the situation to rehashing and rewording stories that are months old, there would appear to be a concerted effort to give Baja a black eye. Every time the issue sees to fade from the headlines these certain publications bring it to the forefront again.

Why? Perhaps it is because billions of dollars are at stake. The Baja Real Estate investment flood must be hurting someone's pocket book. Could it be that those SoCal real estate interests which make up a huge portion of these publications revenue are applying pressure to keep spending at home?

The pressure may be coming from even a higher level. A few years back the US administration used similar anti-tourism tactics to pressure Mexico into selling additional crude oil to the US at prices set nearly a decade before. Tourism and foreign investment are critical in the continued growth of Mexico and both are heavily dependant on public perceptions to flourish. The answer may be as simple as to keeping every US travel dollar at home – to support a floundering US economy.

5.1 Minor Earthquake Shakes Baja California

A moderate earthquake rumbled in Baja California Friday night, at 11:12 PM PT a 5.1 quake was centered southeast of Mexicali. Although this area is prone to quakes, most are around 3 on the Richter scale. This shaker was felt as far away as Phoenix and San Diego on the US side of the border and Ensenada and San Filipe in Mexico. No significant damage has been reported although there were some temporary power outages.

Tijuana Safer than many US Cities

For a city of it's size, the murder rate in Tijuana, Baja California, is not particularly high. In fact, Philadelpha, PA had more than 25% more murders last year as did Tijuana. Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, is about the same population as TJ. Crime wears on Tijuana, San Diego - USATODAY.com

New Power plants planned for Baja to support growth

With the growing population of Baja California there will be a tremondous need for additional electricity. For use by the increasingly affulent population of Baja California, particularly the border areas, there will be a need for greater infrastructure to support the homes amnd jobs that are being created in the region Power plants planned for Baja

California Media Continues to Beat Dead Horse about Baja Cali

Baja California Plagued By Crime Wave Aimed At Tourists - News Story - KNBC Los Angeles

In an obvious attempt to stem the flow of American dollars south of the border to Mexico's Baja California, the California Media continues to rehash old news. In a vain attempt to scare Americans from Mexico travel and investment Us Media and particularly southern California Media keep bring up this story of tragic incidents, some of them as much as 4 months old every time they fade from the news. Partly because the advertisers to these media outlets (SoCal Real Estate interests) see far too many dollars disappearing to a sounder investment in Mexican real estate.

During the same timer perid that these 13 incidents took place. (most of them on tourists doing foolish stuff) 27 similar attacks occurred in California State Parks. Last year 353 murders took place in Tijuaa. The same year, in a city of nearly identical size, Philadelphia 467 murders took place, yet we don't see travel warnings posted for the city of Brotherly Love do we?

Travel safely, use your head and stay out of the drug mule business and you wil most likely have a wonderful trip to Baja.

Baja California Plagued By Crime Wave Aimed At Tourists - News Story - KNBC Los Angeles