Crime in Mexico

[pappabee]

Originally Posted by jasavak

The information came from Don Juventino . We spoke at his sons funeral last Thursday. Some of the stories are not published in the paper . Juventino is 73 years old and has lived in Monterrey his entire life .

Things were much quieter a few years ago. Personally, I’m not really concerned about the drug trafficking cartels because I don’t see them as a threat to the ave
rage person.

The big problem is the thugs are not punished and get released to commit more and more crimes. Also, the criminals often carry guns and realize that 98% of the people they rob do not have guns .

Most of the "thugs" that you talk about are the same street gangs that you have to deal with all over the states. I really wish I had your blinders when you say that the cartels are not a "threat to the average person". The cartels are a threat to EVERYONE. Mexico is in a war and as in all wars there are Innocent casualties. The little boy who was playing in front of his house in Monterrey and was shot as part of a drug drive by, etc, etc.

Come on now, you got your "FACTS" from one person in Monterrey and you accept them as true? I'm not saying that those statements are not true. But getting one side of ANY situation does not make it a fact. I have asked many times for people who purport statements to be facts to please show your source. A 73 year old who gives very generalized statements does not make it a fact. It could very well be so, but you should supply more sources.

There have been stories of people who say that they have been abducted by aliens, does that make it true. Now if ten or fifteen people have the same story, then maybe it is true. Either that or they were all at the same beer partry.

[FHBOY]

Originally Posted by pappabee

Most of the "thugs" that you talk about are the same street gangs that you have to deal with all over the states. I really wish I had your blinders when you say that the cartels are not a "threat to the average person". The cartels are a threat to EVERYONE. Mexico is in a war and as in all wars there are Innocent casualties. The little boy who was playing in front of his house in Monterrey and was shot as part of a drug drive by, etc, etc.

Come on now, you got your "FACTS" from one person in Monterrey and you accept them as true? I'm not saying that those statements are not true. But getting one side of ANY situation does not make it a fact. I have asked many times for people who purport statements to be facts to please show your source. A 73 year old who gives very generalized statements does not make it a fact. It could very well be so, but you should supply more sources.

There have been stories of people who say that they have been abducted by aliens, does that make it true. Now if ten or fifteen people have the same story, then maybe it is true. Either that or they were all at the same beer partry.

FYI - see new thread - USAToday: Expatriates.

[tepetapan]

It is always the same story here in Mexico. The mother weeping, "My niño was a good boy, he never did anything to deserve being killed!" All the while knowning he (or she) was known to be out all night,no job, bringing home goods and money that can not be honestly accounted for, numerous cell phones and calls at all times, etc..
Don´t get me wrong, it happens everywhere. But in the news here in Mexico it is a event showing a weeping mother or wife. Are they all guilty of doing bad deeds? No, of course not. But odds are 98% are dead or in jail because they made the wrong choice in life and everyone in their family knew this was fact.
I do not feel sorry for them one bit. Live hard, die young. So sad, too bad.

[jasavak]

Originally Posted by pappabee

Most of the "thugs" that you talk about are the same street gangs that you have to deal with all over the states. I really wish I had your blinders when you say that the cartels are not a "threat to the average person". The cartels are a threat to EVERYONE. Mexico is in a war and as in all wars there are Innocent casualties. The little boy who was playing in front of his house in Monterrey and was shot as part of a drug drive by, etc, etc.

Come on now, you got your "FACTS" from one person in Monterrey and you accept them as true? I'm not saying that those statements are not true. But getting one side of ANY situation does not make it a fact. I have asked many times for people who purport statements to be facts to please show your source. A 73 year old who gives very generalized statements does not make it a fact. It could very well be so, but you should supply more sources.

There have been stories of people who say that they have been abducted by aliens, does that make it true. Now if ten or fifteen people have the same story, then maybe it is true. Either that or they were all at the same beer partry.

I understand that you want to protect the reputation of crime in Mexico , but things have become different . It used to be uninformed gringos making exaggerations about isolated drug related crimes , but now I hear the testimonies of many friends and relatives living in Mexico . They rip earrings from women waiting for buses , in most larger cities they now carjack in broad daylight , home invasions are now common , they murdered and tortured my Compadres friend , they smashed another friends mini market and stole all the inventory and 12,000 pesos he had stashed inside , they stole the copper tubing from the family home , they even steal copper tubing as small as 10 grams and watch the 600 liters drain from the tinacos .

I'm not saying crime is unbearable and Mexico is "dangerous" , it's just much worse ever before.

[jasavak]

A story with a twist :


While driving in the Zeta territory , my friend's father had his pickup carjacked by two young thugs claiming to be part of the Zetas gang . Later , the older gentleman was walking the highway miles from the next town , when an SUV stopped and asked him why he was walking . He replied : " The Zetas stole my pickup "

They laughed " Zetas " ? Nosotros somos las Zetas . They explained to him that the Zetas do not jack cars in this area . They proceeded to town and there was his pickup with the two thugs sitting on the ground next to it . Is this your pickup ? Are these the thugs ?

They gave him his pickup back and told him Zetas don't steal .

[pappabee]

Originally Posted by jasavak

I understand that you want to protect the reputation of crime in Mexico , but things have become different . It used to be uninformed gringos making exaggerations about isolated drug related crimes , but now I hear the testimonies of many friends and relatives living in Mexico . They rip earrings from women waiting for buses , in most larger cities they now carjack in broad daylight , home invasions are now common , they murdered and tortured my Compadres friend , they smashed another friends mini market and stole all the inventory and 12,000 pesos he had stashed inside , they stole the copper tubing from the family home , they even steal copper tubing as small as 10 grams and watch the 600 liters drain from the tinacos .

I'm not saying crime is unbearable and Mexico is "dangerous" , it's just much worse ever before.

First of all why would I want to "protect the reputation of crime in Mexico"?? I have no axe to grind either way. What irks me is when people make exaggerated statements that are supposed to be facts and they have nothing but hearsay to back them up. Or in your case it seems that you have taken crimes from as much as a year ago and banded them together as if they happened within the past few months. That is not correct.

We all know that crime has increased over the past few years but it has increased all over the world. So by singling out Mexico you are doing those of us who live here a disservice. You don't live in Mexico and you get your information from many sources none of them are first hand.

Please continue to post your comments but add your sources and the dates. I can tell you about the kid who was killed by a cop in Austin two years ago and the cop was given a slap on the wrist. It has very little import today. And we are talking about now not the distant past.

[jasavak]

Most of the information is first hand. Crime is not increasing “everywhere “in the world. However, it is increasing in Mexico and most of the crimes I mentioned took place this year.

I guess I get more information because I speak the language and have family in Mexico.
Also, our property is not located in a isolated expat enclave.

[tepetapan]

Originally Posted by jasavak

I...., but now I hear the testimonies of many friends and relatives living in Mexico . They rip earrings from women waiting for buses , in most larger cities they now carjack in broad daylight , home invasions are now common , they murdered and tortured my Compadres friend , they smashed another friends mini market and stole all the inventory and 12,000 pesos he had stashed inside , they stole the copper tubing from the family home , they even steal copper tubing as small as 10 grams and watch the 600 liters drain from the tinacos .

I'm not saying crime is unbearable and Mexico is "dangerous" , it's just much worse ever before.

That all sounds like Chicago except the media does not report it much since it is an everyday happening.
p.s. like a thief cares about 600 liters of water draining out,

[jasavak]

Originally Posted by tepetapan

That all sounds like Chicago except the media does not report it much since it is an everyday happening.
p.s. like a thief cares about 600 liters of water draining out,

Two weeks ago , the thief stole a tiny piece of pipe worth a few cents , but my Sister in law lost her 600 liters that was worth more than that and had no water . It's just an irony .

[mickisue1]

Originally Posted by pappabee

First of all why would I want to "protect the reputation of crime in Mexico"?? I have no axe to grind either way. What irks me is when people make exaggerated statements that are supposed to be facts and they have nothing but hearsay to back them up. Or in your case it seems that you have taken crimes from as much as a year ago and banded them together as if they happened within the past few months. That is not correct.

We all know that crime has increased over the past few years but it has increased all over the world. So by singling out Mexico you are doing those of us who live here a disservice. You don't live in Mexico and you get your information from many sources none of them are first hand.

Please continue to post your comments but add your sources and the dates. I can tell you about the kid who was killed by a cop in Austin two years ago and the cop was given a slap on the wrist. It has very little import today. And we are talking about now not the distant past.

I recall reading safety tips for women traveling in MX, over a decade ago: Don't wear conspicuously expensive earrings, they'll be ripped from your ears. Rent a small, inconspicuous car.

There was a distributor with my company who was very high in our marketing plan who was kidnapped and murdered.

But that was 10 years ago.

Would you like to hear about the four year old who was holding his mom's hand, on his birthday as she was about to put him in the family car, who was picked up and thrown across the street by an unlicensed driver, doing wheelies on a motorcycle?

That happened last Saturday, in a quiet residential district in St. Paul. He's in a coma. His little cousin, born on the same day, who was going to have a joint birthday party with him, told the police when they arrived that her cousin was dead.

Can MX be dangerous? Yes. Can it be shockingly, unexpectedly dangerous? Yes.

As can it be, anywhere.

Whether the current violence is a sign of worse to come, or the dying gasps of an under culture ruled by drug lords remains to be seen, doesn't it?