Rosarito Beach mayor responds to U.S. agency's warning to stay away during spring break

The U.S. State Department has extended a travel alert for Mexican border towns and suggests that visitors to these areas exercise extreme caution because of ongoing violence involving drug dealers warring among themselves and police.

Now the Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has chimed in with a stronger warning that urges college students to avoid parts of northern Mexico during spring break.

This includes Tijuana and nearby Rosarito Beach. The latter town -- for decades a festive spring break party destination -- has not been a focal point for violence, especially in recent weeks. On Tuesday its mayor, Hugo Torres, responded with this message:

"For decades Rosarito has hosted hundreds of thousands of spring breakers without major incident. With additional steps we have taken, such as starting a Tourist Police Force, they will be safer than ever this year and we look forward to welcoming them and ensuring they again have a safe and enjoyable visit."

"The violence we have had down here has been mainly between organized crime factions -- and we have had almost none of that recently. Tourists are not and never have been targets."

To be sure, the U.S. agency's warning represents a devastating and possibly unfair blow to a city trying desperately to regain the confidence of tourists, who are its life blood. During my recent visit I saw few tourists but sensed no fear among hundreds of lifelong residents and ex-pats walking the streets.

Rosarito Beach will host a pro surfing event April 3-5, and a Cinco de Mayo celebration in early May. I, for one, hope both are successful, well-attended events, as this town could surely use a boost.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo courtesy of Rosarito Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau

Comments

[Samantha]

I have been going down to Rosarito for Spring Break the last two years and my friends and I have always had fun and no problems. You have to be smart and take your precautions just like you would anywhere- even here in the US. I mean, turn on the news and we hear about murder, theft, etc. at home too.

[Don]

I love Baja! Rosarito and Senoritas here I come!

[LASteve]

Yes that's the plan, college students getting stupid on cheap booze, stumble into the middle of a drug gang fight or two.

I wonder if any of these well educated children have ever heard of kidnappings for ransom...NAAAAH.

Party hardy, but before you go to Mexico, I'd like to take out some cheap life insurance on you, payable to me.

[TDore]

I grew up in San Diego and have spent more than 30 years enjoying Mexico w/ friends and family. In the last year alone, we've had a few of our friends (long-time lovers of Mex who know all the rules and how to be careful), robbed at gunpoint and left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They were run off the road and robbed of everything they owned and then escorted at gunpoint to where they thought they were going to be killed. They were left in the dark w/ nothing and scared out of their minds. I've also heard of police pulling people over and coincidentally another car pulling up at the same time to rob them, leaving little doubt in my mind that the police are in on it given they should never pull people over in an area that is well known for robberies. This, to me, makes "Tourist Police" a laughable concept. Being smart and safe doesn't help with either of those scenarios. We've chosen not to go to Mex until these problems are resolved. It's simply not worth it. We're heartbroken over this and miss Mexico so much. We also feel terrible that good, honest, hard-working people there are paying the price by losing their businesses, many family-run for generations.

[Maria Teresa]

I totally agree, violence is everywhere, is not just Mexico, lets put things in perspective. It is very clear that the problem is among gangs and drug dealers, if you don't hang out with them, there is not chance that you be in any kind of problem.When traveling no matter where, you must have certain precautions.

[Jon K.]

Umm... there has been 1,000 drug war related deaths in Mexico IN JUST THE LAST TWO MONTHS!

I know Rosarito would like our money, but... come on!

For God's sake, the CIA is talking about Mexico becoming the new Pakistan if they don't get this drug violence taken care of.

I know Mexico is close to California and a lot of Californian's have Mexican heritage... so they feel the need to defend Mexico for cultural reasons, but, we have to face facts: Mexico has never been a successful state ever since their independence from Spain... and it looks like things are getting worse.

[Jose]

Mexico is no longer the relatively safe place it used to be. The US is not even safe in places near the border such as Phoenix.

The US may have started the destruction in Mexico by criminalizing marijuana but Mexico is on track to finish it.

Part of what's going on now is Mexico is putting on a show hoping the US will fork over hundreds of $millions to help their crackdown. I hope they don't get a dime.

[Joe]

When you cross the boarder you leave evey god given right that you had on the other side of the boarder. I saw people dissapear on my last vacation there, (NEVER AGAIN). The Mexican goverment is a crooked as it gets I also saw people get drugged and robbed in thier own hotel rooms only to speak of it the next morning. As beautiful as the true Mexican people are to go there you do so at your own risk! In the current world wide depression Mexico has been hit hard and if you value your life stay the hell away! The just don't rob you anymore they kill you instead.

Sorry But True

[Annie MC]

I have been traveling to Puerto Nuevo/Rosarito/TJ for the past 30 years and continue to travel down on weekends to visit my friends, shop, eat, and get away.

It was like a ghost town in TJ right before the holidays. On President's weekend, there were visitors all over the streets and things looked good at many of the hotels too! I visit with many U.S. citizens who have made this coast line their home, and they travel every day across the border to work and shop for things they need.

They have no fear and think the U.S. media is out of control with their descriptions of what is really going on.

I have traveled the world and you must always be careful where ever you go. Heck I lived in LA and near Washington DC and there are neighborhoods there I would never visit because of the crime!!

I also remember all the gang shooting in LA. Should we stay away from there too?

For years I keep hearing these stories about so called "Friends" who have disappeared - babies stuffed with drugs - but it seems in all my travels and reading of local newspaper there is nothing on record about these babies.

But don't we have our share of missing people here in the US?? Don't we have our own crimes and criminals on the loose? Do you know how many murders have been committed in some of our own major cities?

Do we remember the Italian mafia all over our country about 30 years ago??? Did we stop going to New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas??

Come on folks this is no different then September 11th, when we told people not to stop flying because that would let the terrorists win. Did we all stop visiting New York?

Well if you stop going to Mexico - who wins? Not the innocent businesses and hotels in Rosartio where no violence has occurred. And not you - the public who loves Mexico. It will not be the Mexico you once knew if you don't get down there soon and support the people.

The killing are the cartels killing each other! This is because the government IS trying to do something!!! Yes there is corruption - but things are changing. Have we not had our own corrupt police problems here in the states? Come on - there are movies about it. Get your head out of the sand my fellow travelers.

And there have been no American's killed in Rosarito except for one gal who had a drug record, who was with two cartel associates, and they were 20 miles inland from Rosarito on a road only used by drug runners. But the headlines would have made you think Mother Theresa was killed in the lobby of the Rosarito Hotel!

I am a member of the media and I am shocked at the careless reporting being done. The media makes you think one shooting was down town Rosarito. All those beheaded people - cartel associates. And they were found again, many miles inland.

The shoot out that was supposedly in TJ was in a remote part of town that tourists do not have any reason what so ever to be in. Bottom line - if you are not meeting with the cartel, don't get too drunk to take care of yourself, stay in safe tourist locations, and stick with your friends, you will be just fine.
This is a good rule to follow wherever you travel!

As for the rape and robbery of the surfer and his girlfriend further down the coast - that is a true story. But one incident and they were in a remote area, alone??

I would like to talk to all of these people who have "friends" who disappear in Mexico - I just dont believe it. They never seem to have the facts of these stories, complete with names. It usually turns out it was a friend of a friend!

Yes there are kidnappings too, but again not tourists!!!

Travel, be smart, don't drink and act like a fool, don't drive drunk, after dark, or without Mexico insurance and you should be just fine and have the time of your life.

And wow what a deal you will find at the hotels and the restaurants are waiting for all of you. They have been praying for this spring break!!

I am telling you there has never been such great deals as you will find right now! Hotel/Spa treatments practically free. Anything you have ever wanted to buy is on sale right now.

What are you waiting for -- Adios amigos

[Working Gringa]

I'm always amused when people say "Things are horrible in Mexico". This is such a gross exaggeration. Mexico is a country that is almost as big as the United States. There are cities all over Mexico that have nothing going on like what apparently is going on in Ciudad Juarez and other towns along the border. As many people before me have said, if you don't get involved with drug cartels and narcotraficantes, you have no more to worry about than you would in any part of the United States. Maybe less.

We have lived in Merida, Yucatan for more than seven years now and I am safer here than I ever was in Los Angeles or New York.

There's no reason to stop coming to Mexico... if you are used to going to border towns and want to avoid those, try another part of Mexico. It is a beautiful and varied country with a lot to offer.

[BC FAN]

it seems that all the crazies come out when one speaks of Mexico, about how they were stripped down to their socks.. Really.. I know that bad things happen everywhere but the way the media, the government is treating this is absurd. There were more murders per capita in New Orleans last year than in TJ.. What about a travel warning about Mardi-Gras.... Opps sorry that would be bad for business. How about the US ban the sale of Semi Automatic Guns that wind up being smuggled into Mexico... Opps...Sorry that would be bad for business.. Is this really anything more than politics??

Lets see.. The US gives the gangs there money via endless consumptions. American Gun Runners.. opps dealers sell the weapons to straw players that smuggle them into Mexico.. Then there is the border, which is a multi billion dollar business (supplying jobs, cars, weapons..on and on) to fight the un winnable War On Drugs...

As the saying goes.. Folllow the money..

Mexico is having its problems because the US gave it to them. THis is not any different than the gang wars going on in East LA, Riverside and other areas of the US... Yet the US can feel better about themselves when they deflect rather than reflect.. This is a sad commentary about the US living off the reputation of past generations.. where hard work was expected not the exception.. Wake up. Help your trading partner grow TOGETHER.. The current path is only going to make Mexico resent the US more than ever.. This is a COMMON PROBLEM..

Tourists continue to come, continue to have fun.. This is not about Tourists. I have lived in Baja for 20 years..

THis is another sensationalized media event...
What a shame.

[Tio Foncho]

AnnieMC writes: "I would like to talk to all of these people who have "friends" who disappear in Mexico - I just dont believe it. They never seem to have the facts of these stories, complete with names. It usually turns out it was a friend of a friend!"

Perhaps you should read this then, Annie. It is about Karen Wright, who went missing in San Felipe on 2/9/2009. Her car with her dogs inside were found. Her family is desperate for news about her. There is a reward offered. There has been no US news coverage of this. It is not even discussed in San Felipe.

http://www.sanfelipe.com.mx/news/katskorner22feb09.html

"On a sadder note, Marcia Stewart, sister of Karen Wright, who went missing on February 9, 2009 has sent a photo of Karen. Marcia said Karen spoke with her mother between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. last Monday and she said she would be leaving that day for home in Merced, I believe. If anyone has seen Karen Wright or if you have any information which would help locate her, the family is offering a reward. Karen drives a white Hummer. Here is the contact information: 530-894-6119 and 530-521-9640 - Email - skeeterm@sbcglobal.net."

[a regular person]

The war taking place in Mexico is due to our Mexican goverment is trying to stop those drugs to reach USA, USA is the largest drug market in world.
I am so concern how light the US socitey treat drugs on their normal life.

I know many US cities and have traveled to your country many times and I see lack of concern on these regards since your younghood is hungry to use them as well as your adults.
This is the problem.

Our concern is that we as Mexican with families and jobs to protect are questioning how many thousands tons of drugs can easily get in to the any US strests without problem.
How come the most powerful country in the world is no capable to stop them in the border?

The only answer, is the level of corruption in the US side as well.

I have never hear that US capture an American Authority because the amount of of drugs passing easily from one side to another.
The other point is, why to have such a war, when the main affected is the honest people from Mexico because the Amercian society needs such amount of drugs to live a life.
Why all the guns found in Mexico are sold in the US that kills our people, why the US is having business with these guns, why americans are selling them so easily to be used against us??

What is the US doing to reduce the drugs compsuption and to be able to control the thousands of distributors on your side that for sure are not only Hispanics.

This problem is created because of the tremendous needs of drugs in your day to day life.
Think about it, your are part of the problem, be part of the solution. Our country will win this war and our people will have a better life eliminating drugs from our lives, and You where are going to get them?

[BeSafe]

Mexico is not a safe vacation choice period! 30% of all non-natural deaths of U.S. citizens outside this country occur in Mexico. To read personal Mexico vacation DEATH stories, many written by heartbroken family members as well as stories written by victims that "survived" their Mexico vacation visit:
WWW.MEXICOVACATIONAWARENESS.COM

[Dr Sherri Tenpenny]

Rosarito is a separate city on the coast, miles from Tijuana. I have been living here since September, 2008 as the Executive Director of Sanoviv Medical Institute (www.Sanoviv.com). I can assure you that this city is not the "epicenter" of drug wars and crime as it is being portrayed by the news. The Mexican people here are very helpful and kind. The US government is giving this very large and beautiful country a bad name and an unfair rap.

For example, last week, my car broke down in the middle of a busy intersection at 6pm. No one honked or gave rude gestures as they drove by and many total strangers stopped to help. I doubt that would happen in the US. Notably, I was not robbed, shot at and no one tried to kidnap me.

Most people do not realize that Tijuana has a population of nearly 2.5 million. The News talks about "border towns" and people imagine a population of less than 200,000. They visualize a poor Mexican shanty town with streets resembling a "shoot out at the OK Corral." Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Cities in the US that are similar in size to TJ include St Louis, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Miami. I am sure drug-related crimes and murders occur there every day. Does the News tell people to avoid Miami? Of course not. And one person reportedly shot and killed at a kiosk in Mexico City does not mean millions are at risk. That is unnecessary fear-mongering.

The crimes here truly are Mexican against Mexican. In 2008, nearly 30 million Americans safely crossed the border through San Ysidro. The "crimes" they were involved in were petty theft, fender benders and a few bar brawls. I hope to help set the record straight.

[AnnieMc]

So sorry to hear about Karen Wright. I know of another San Diego woman kidnapped from my town and found in San Felipe. But many people are murdered in our own country each year.

But is Mexico really that much more dangerous than other countries? Does one not need to travel with care where ever they are? The US media is messed up and I am one of them so I can say this. Many people do not like traveling in third world countries and will never like them no matter what. So there are many writer who are biased too.

The organization that sent out the travel warning has acted irresponsibly and should be taken to the table for how they handled this situation.

The following came from the media relations office and website of the FBI. These are figures for 2007.

This does not included those who go missing in OUR country.

Many people go missing here and in the US. Check out the FBI website for the number of people murdered int he US. These are the 2007 figures.

Baltimore there were 355 murders, Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlngton area 718, Detroit 915, Houston 496, Las Vegas 157, LA/Long Beach/Glendale 1805, Miami/Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach/Baton Rouge area 1,004 murders!, NY/N NJ/White Plains 1,412, Philly 1,069, DC area 797, and San Juan 573!

Well how about we not visit NY LA Philadelphia, Florida, and DC and issue a few travel warnings???? You have heard from US citizens who live there. Life is basically pretty nice for those living across the border on the beautiful coastline.

So if you hate Mexico - stay home. But please try and see this situation from both sides. Many, many terrible things happen here too! The good people must stick together.

Travel smart, safe, and often.

[Cory Visser]

I read, and for the most part, agree with what the Mayor of Rosarito Beach has to say. Since I visit Rosarito, San Quintin and Ensenada numerous times a year, and have found the people to be extraordinarily friendly and helpful. The media does indeed hyperbolize the situation.

For me I almost enjoy the media bashing the travel to Mexico, this keeps fewer folks off the fishing grounds, and more fishing for me in uncrowded conditions, which I reaalize is selfish on my part?

Also the border crossing is ridiculous, and if their were more tourists this would only get worse. Also I realize that this is a US customs issue, not Mexico's. Yet Mexico could bring pressure on the Customs folks to improve the crossing situation, particularly for frequent crossers, if they so desired?

The single biggest issue Mexico faces, particularly in Baja, but certainly in all of Mexico, is the corrupt police force. If a US citizen felt they could go to the police and be treated fairly, this could change everything. However, Mexico's policy of your guilty, no matter what, almost in all events, and circumstances, with the extreme cost to get out of trouble, unclean, filthy, unsantized jails, mistreatment of victims, inmates, etc. preclude most from even tempting fate.

I do know those who have been victimized by the criminals and corrupt police in Baja, and they no doubt will never ever return to Mexico. they got beat up, came close to being murdered, lost their trucks, boat and all fishing gear. Of course that can happen in the USA too, how about all the car jackings that occur? Banks and stores robbed frequently. Murders on a daily basis, etc. It happens so often in the USA, unless particularly gruesome, most crimes make only the back pages of the newspaper or even mentioned in the TV news casts.

Mayor Torres, if you can fix the corrupt police situation, and improve the border crossing, you will indeed see more tourism.

I agree it is just as unsafe in East LA, after midnight, as it is in Tijuana, Ensenada or Rosarito beach, but at least you can go to the police for help, in Mexico you cannot!

Maybe some one can pass this along to the Mayor? I'd love to hear his response. I know it's risky, yet my desire to enjoy the fishing pleasures in Mexico, and the good people keep me coming back. I do sincerely feel for those that are financially devastated by the corruption and crime that continues to occurr there. Nothing good ever occurs on land after midnight, traveler beware!

My two cents worth.
Cory

[Alex]

I agree that we as travelers should be informed of the things that are happening in Mexico (even though I think the media is exaggerating and being misleading, to say the least). However, the other day I got an email sent to my school email about the Bureau of ATF saying that we shouldn't go down for Spring Break. I was so pissed off and this ruined my entire spring break!!! I've been going to Mexico about 2-3 times a month and everything's always been calm. The govt giving people information is fine, but telling us not to go during Spring Break (arguably the safest time) is a straight up slap to the face to people like me.