That's My Story

CAN YOUR CITY SAY THE SAME?

Originally Published the Week of Dec. 27, 2022 in Western Outdoor Publications

Tongue-in-cheek.  Are you safer on vacation than at home? 

Over the almost 30 years we have lived in Baja and run our Tailhunter Sportfishing operation, it’s not uncommon for us to get questions about safety.

Understandable. 

Mexico has that seemingly unshakable reputation of unmitigated lawlessness.  When you tell people you’re going to Mexico or you live in Mexico you here, “You’re going to…MEXICO?” “You live in MEXICO?”

(Their voices always go up on the world MEXICO!).

I might as well have said I like driving with my eyes closed or like swimming nekkid with pirhanas.

I won’t deny that there are some big issues, but it seems if a tourist has their watch stolen, it ends up on CNN. It’s an easy target.

And yes there’s violence.  But, what city these days doesn’t have issues with violence.  (Hello Chicago!)

We have friends in the U.S. terrified of visiting Mexico. 

But likewise, we have many Mexican friends afraid of visiting the U.S.  Can’t say I blame them.

This is because like U.S. media, Mexico TV broadcasts the robberies, mass shootings (is there ever a week this doesn’t happen in some mall, concert, school, etc), police issues, racial issues, riots, homelessness.

I wouldn’t want to visit either.

Every year for more than 3 decades, my wife and I do the fishing and hunting shows and expos all over the U.S.  A different show each week usually in some big convention center.

We’re there in our booth promoting our La Paz operation and thousands of people attend these events.

We usually do 10-14 shows over three months driving back and forth criss-crossing the U.S.

These have included shows in San Diego, Salt Lake City, Portland, Spokane, Boise, Phoenix, Denver, Bozeman, Seattle, Long Beach, Sacramento and many more.

There are some shows we will NOT be attending for the first time in many years simply because of the rampant crime we saw.  Some of it first-hand as we were victimized in one city and we saw a number of friends and fellow outfitters also victimized.

Openly.  In broad daylight.

We honestly saw more in 3 months on the road last year in the U.S. than we have seen in 30 years in Mexico.  And the police (many of whom are good friends told us) are largely powerless to stop it.

It was very sad and sobering.

So, you want to ask us how safe it is in Mexico. 

Well, I think there’s a reason it’s the #1 travel destination in the world right now.  Not just for Americans, but for international travelers as well.

Mexican destinations like Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and others are breaking attendance records for visitors.  Cabo alone hosted more than 3 million visitors this past year shattering previous statistics.

And here’s some interesting stats that just came out…

In Baja, homicides have dropped 95% since 2018.

Car theft is down by 74%.  Burglaries have decreased by an impressive 63% while street crime such as pickpocketing, muggings and violent theft have dropped by 52%.

I wonder how many American cities or states can claim those statistics.

Authorities attribute the drop to increased presence of law enforcement including police and national guard/ army.  They also point to increased funding for such activities plus U.S. support in terms of better training.

Logistical improvements as well have increased.  They have added much street lighting and security cameras are more prevalent everywhere.  More are planned to add an extra measure of security, especially in tourist areas.

Common sense is still the best security no matter where you go.  Don’t forget your brain just because you’re on vacation.

Don’t leave your wallet accidentally on the bar top.

Don’t go walking down dark alleys or doing things you shouldn’t be doing.

Don’t go flashing your jewelry or cash wad out in the open.

Same as you would at home. 

All that aside,  don’t let it stop you from going on vacation and enjoying yourself in Mexico.

That’s my story!

Jonathan

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Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004.  Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico  www.tailhunter.com.

They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront.  If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi.  It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

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Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

Website: 

www.tailhunter-international.com

Mexico Office: Tailhunter International, 755 Paseo Obregon, La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

U.S. Mailing Address:  Tailhunter Sportfishing, P.O. Box 159, Hewitt TX 76643

Phones: 

from USA : 626-638-3383

from Mexico: 044-612-14-17863

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Tailhunter Weekly Fishing Report:  http://fishreport.jonathanroldan.com/

Tailhunter YouTube Video Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLvdHL_p4-OAu3HfiVzW0g

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”