Rosie, what did you think about the negative article in the newspaper about Tancitaro? Is it accurate or do you know? That type of publicity is not good for R.P. I would not be surprised if there weren't a U.S. conspiracy or U.S. business conspiracy to ramp up negative publicity to keep people on this side of the border to have the money spent here. We hope to hear from you soon. Saludos, John K.
Hi John, I did some research on the article. There are some discrepancies between the truth and what the author would have people believe, although organized crime in that region is a bigger problem than it is here in the northern part of Mexico.
It’s important to note that the distance between RP and the city of Tancitaro, Michoacan is like that of Phoenix to Chicago or New York. The city officials did resign, but there is a You Tube video swearing in their replacements, including a young, pregnant woman. The author of the article would have the reader believe that the council resigned, leaving lawlessness in their place…not true at all. Yes, they quit, but others were put in their place.
In the video, a young man, having just taken the oath, is asked by a reporter if he is scared. His answer: “One must always be careful, but it is our duty to do the right thing.”
Earlier today, I stopped by The Point restaurant to visit with owner German Palacio for a bit. There were Americans there from Minnesota. They expressed their consternation at the media reports when we are sitting here enjoying a beautiful day without any threat whatsoever of violence.
One of the reasons I am feel safer in Mexico than in the States, is that crime is so random there. A courthouse, gym, church, mall or school can easily be the scene of a lunatic attack. In the States, small towns are as likely to have a mass shooting as a large city. The randomness of it is frightening because there is no way to protect oneself. That type of crime is virtually unheard of in Mexico.
The recent carjacking events here were troubling because they targeted Americans. This is unusual, and the perpetrators were quickly caught.
Throughout Mexico, when a foreigner has a problem, it can usually be traced to irresponsible behavior. Not to blame the victim, but drinking too much in the wrong places, flashing money or trying to score drugs is a good way to get yourself hurt anywhere. Americans hear daily about the crime happening on their block and don’t worry because it’s in “the bad neighborhood”, even though that bad neighborhood is only a couple of miles away. Puerto Penasco has to answer for the crime that happens thousands of miles away in southern Mexico.
Organized crime in Mexico is the biggest problem this country faces right now, just as it was in the U.S. in the early part of the 20th century. Mexico’s government was formed later than that of the U.S., and it is going through some of the same type of violence that existed then. This was also seen in Italy, Colombia, and several other countries. Organized crime has not been totally eliminated in those places, but rather calmed to a somewhat more peaceful existence with decent society. I have no doubt that Mexico will also come out of the current situation, but in the meantime, am glad we're in Rocky Point, where we are as safe and secure as one can be in this day and age.
Please remember that Rocky Point remains the only city that I know of where a team of bilingual volunteers is available 24/7 to assist tourists with whatever help they might need. This service is provided free of charge to anyone visiting our city.
I hope I’ve given you some good points to pass along the next time someone is talking about the crime here. Thank you for the opening...
