Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

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expatsinmexico

Dec 12, 2011, 2:34 PM

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Safety

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Mexico including the Guadalajara area is getting all sorts of bad press here in the states. Nothing new but it has gotten worse here lately and the latest reports are about the Guadalajara area. My question is to the expats living in the Lake Chapala area, are you getting nervous and considering leaving? What are your concerns? Or are you generally feeling safe in the community? I would appreciate any information you can provide. Are people leaving? If they are leaving are they going to other expat location or just heading home? We are planning on making the move in March.

(This post was edited by bound4ajijic on Dec 12, 2011, 2:35 PM)

DavidHF

Dec 12, 2011, 3:10 PM

Post #2 of 26 (3211 views)

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Re: [bound4ajijic] Safety

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It's alway unnerving when a serious crime is committed close to home. We've been here (Ajijic) almost 7 years, came from Oregon, and we're not going anywhere. We feel safer here than NOB. This is a small community so any crime stands out and gets a lot of attention. We don't know of anyone heading back north because of crime. The recent upswing in crime occurs the same time every year, during the Fiesta San Andres, the patron saint of the village. If you want details of recent goings on both good and bad visit www.lakesidecrime.com

chinagringo

Dec 12, 2011, 3:35 PM

Post #3 of 26 (3198 views)

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Re: [bound4ajijic] Safety

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You might try the following sites with a great deal of discussion about safety:

http://lakechapalainfo.bigforumpro.com/
http://www.chapala.com/...ndex.php?showforum=6
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

stevebrtx

Dec 12, 2011, 5:43 PM

Post #4 of 26 (3161 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Safety

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Safety? - hey, no body told me and I was all over Guad today? I really haven't changed anything I do or have done for the last four years. Today the biggest threat was being run down by police escorts for the Virgin of Guadalupe, they came charging down Lopez Mateos with lights and siren wailing scattering cars and trucks.

I live by 3 rules when I go out, especially to Guad, drive with conviction like you know where you're going, never let them see fear in your eyes and spend money like you've got it - oh, when I take someone along rule #4 applies, no screaming in traffic, that's my job.
http://www.chapalaweather.net

expatsinmexico

Dec 13, 2011, 11:09 AM

Post #5 of 26 (3063 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Safety

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Thanks for the info..I do keep up on these forums as well. I am looking for a more personal response from people than what you find posted on most forums. I know some people are afraid to express their concerns or fear on forums because they are afraid of being attacked by those who have a lot invested in the Mexico and have an interest in people continuing to head south of the border. I am sure this is not the case on this forum group but, I do welcome any personal replys to this post from anyone who may be a little shy about expressing their feelings openly in this format. We are definately planning on coming down in March so just want the facts. Just trying to sift through the "crap" you are fed daily here NOB by the News Media. I truely think there is a conspiracy by the U.S. government and the press to keep Americans in the States working, not retiring and paying taxes and spending their money at home. I think it is mostly because of the power that is held in the U.S. by corporations including banks. A sort of "work till you die conspiracy". I just want the facts and I will hear anyone out especially those without anything to gain. Thank-you.

(This post was edited by bound4ajijic on Dec 13, 2011, 12:05 PM)

stevebrtx

Dec 13, 2011, 2:16 PM

Post #6 of 26 (3017 views)

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Re: [bound4ajijic] Safety

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Conspiracy? - ha, you'll fit right in. The only conspiracy NOB is for those in DC to get themselves reelected, they have zero interest in what we're doing. But, to each his own, we'll be here, come on down.
http://www.chapalaweather.net

Reefhound

Dec 13, 2011, 4:57 PM

Post #7 of 26 (2982 views)

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Re: [bound4ajijic] Safety

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Just trying to sift through the "crap" you are fed daily here NOB by the News Media. I truely think there is a conspiracy by the U.S. government and the press to keep Americans in the States working

Hmmm, then I guess the Mexican media SOB is in on it since they run the same stories and usually in much more gory detail. In fact, most of the NOB media stories I've seen have been sourced from or translated from the Mexican media.

stevebrtx

Dec 13, 2011, 5:12 PM

Post #8 of 26 (2979 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Safety

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Let me add something re: the 23 or 26 or whatrever bodies found in Guad a week or so ago that so shocked everyone, I checked immediately and found I wasn't one of them, nor was anyone I knew or was remotely acquainted with - passing that test I decided there was not a problem and I went about my normal life. I highly recommend the same response.
http://www.chapalaweather.net

expatsinmexico

Dec 13, 2011, 7:32 PM

Post #9 of 26 (2957 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Safety

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Thanks all of you for the information and insight about this subject. The crap I am referring to is not the particular details of what is happening but some commentators opinions of what needs to be done about it. They don't think we share a lot of the responsibility here in the US for Mexico's problems. If the product wasn't in such high demand by US consumers and it wasn't illegal they would all be out of business. At least the drug business. Also the lions share of the arms come straight from the U.S. They also paint a picture that the violence is distributed everywhere...hence my purpose in posing the questions to those of you that live there. Some even go so far as to suggest that the U.S. military needs to get involved. I have enjoyed traveling in Mexico for years and have dreamed of retiring there. For myself I'm not concerned but I would not put my wonderful wife in harms way for anything. Thanks again for your insight.

CanuckBob

Dec 13, 2011, 8:51 PM

Post #10 of 26 (2945 views)

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Re: [bound4ajijic] Safety

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I would recommend you go down, get a short term rental (3 to 6 months) and judge things for yourself. Everyone has a different perspective and a different tolerance for risk. If it feels too risky or dangerous you can pack up and go elsewhere very quickly. Personally I don't think it is any more risky than any big city NOB. Use the same precautions as you would visiting any major center.

Bob
Inside Lakeside
http://www.insidelakeside.com

don pedro

Dec 14, 2011, 9:22 AM

Post #11 of 26 (2878 views)

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Re: [bound4ajijic] Safety

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i've lived in the inner city in toronto.regina and edmonton.canada. here we live right on the carretera in a barrio called lourdes in the city of chapala in the municipality[county] of chapala. ajijic is also in the county but it is well known that you couldn't pay me enough money to live in ajijic which i call the gringo ghetto. so not because of any danger. we ferners in lourdes you could count on 2 hands but there are a few mexicans that can speak some english to varying degrees.
my wife walks everywhere around this town and takes the buses to the ghetto as well. after dark when we go out we walk.
i did a lot of research on various places[countries,etc] over a period of about 4 years. came here 11 years ago for a 3 week looksee. bought this house the first week we were here 5 1/2 years ago and we have no regrets. i've been coming to mexico since 1978 and my wife since about '85.
yes there is somewhat more crime around here but we ain't leaving. in edmonton i had a drug house right behind me and had to pull my shotgun out after one of the a-holes dared to come on my property after i took his pic buying drugs for the cops.
there was a cholo in this neighbourhood doing some graffiti and minor crimes. his relatives fixed him up and he don't live here no mo-SNORK!
the attached pic is from new years 3 years ago. the whole street was blocked of . it started at about 10pm and lasted until about 11am new years day. we left at 3 am and those toddlers were still there. we got a safe neighbourhood-eh!
http://chapalamexicoinfo.createforumhosting.com
naivete is a chronIc disease and by its very nature;the afflicted never know they have it.-SNORK!

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lamur

Dec 14, 2011, 10:52 AM

Post #12 of 26 (2851 views)

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Re: [don pedro] Safety

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Yup....three years ago we never worried about crime either.

don pedro

Dec 14, 2011, 12:41 PM

Post #13 of 26 (2832 views)

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Re: [lamur] Safety

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Yup....three years ago we never worried about crime either.

who is "we" and were are you talking about since you only pay short visits here like a typical tourist,lamur. my neighbourhood hasn't changed in the FIVE AND ONE HALF YEARS[5 1/2] we have lived here. the biggest changes on the north shore around here are a more prominent presence of narcos and a SLIGHT rise in the crimes against people just like NOB. just like NOB, some areas are worse than others. but not my barrio. in the overall scheme of things this place ain't so bad. mississippi is probably burning ain't it?
http://chapalamexicoinfo.createforumhosting.com
naivete is a chronIc disease and by its very nature;the afflicted never know they have it.-SNORK!

don pedro

Dec 18, 2011, 4:31 PM

Post #14 of 26 (2599 views)

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Re: [lamur] Safety

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one more fer ya lamur who doesn't live here. this is the posada on the crime infested street of mister crowe,chapala taken yesterday[not 3 years ago]. lookit how we are all quaking in fear-SNORK!!!
more pics of this dangerous event on the link below!
http://chapalamexicoinfo.createforumhosting.com
naivete is a chronIc disease and by its very nature;the afflicted never know they have it.-SNORK!

(This post was edited by don pedro on Dec 18, 2011, 4:45 PM)

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posada,calle mister crowe 007.jpg (153 KB)

whynotwrite

Dec 19, 2011, 7:19 AM

Post #15 of 26 (2533 views)

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Re: [don pedro] Safety

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interesting but I have not understood the whole "snork" thing so I looked it up.....found it in the Urban Dictionary.
" Verb: to drink something and have it come out your nose because you're laughing so hard."

Rolly

Dec 19, 2011, 8:05 AM

Post #16 of 26 (2517 views)

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Re: [whynotwrite] Safety

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More commonly, it refers to the rude sound made by Lily Tomlin's telephone operator, Ernestine.

Rolly Pirate

stevebrtx

Dec 19, 2011, 8:52 AM

Post #17 of 26 (2495 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Safety

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I almost said: "And Pedro, equally and intentionally rude, but then that's his schitck" - but, this being the Christmas season of good cheer I decided to be charitable and just say "well, there he goes again and may the Ho Ho be all over him for all to see".
http://www.chapalaweather.net

Martygraw

Dec 19, 2011, 10:34 AM

Post #18 of 26 (2468 views)

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Re: [don pedro] Safety

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I mean, look at the Avatar, is this someone you would want to meet in a dark alley at night?, never mind live close to him. Merry Christmas, snork!

joaquinx

Dec 19, 2011, 1:33 PM

Post #19 of 26 (2446 views)

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Re: [lamur] Safety

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http://www.miamiherald.com/...through-retiree.html

Crime sends chills through retiree oasis in Mexico. Is it getting worse?
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.

DavidHF

Dec 19, 2011, 2:16 PM

Post #20 of 26 (2431 views)

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Re: [joaquinx] Safety

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Only the NOB press is getting worse. This error filled article is old news. It fails to mention that the perps are in custody.

Yacatecuhtli

Dec 19, 2011, 2:42 PM

Post #21 of 26 (2421 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] Safety

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Meanwhile SOB they are reporting:

(full article here http://jalisco.milenio.com/cdb/doc/impreso/9082004)

Homicidios intencionales al por mayor se registraron durante el fin de semana en Jalisco donde nueve personas murieron. Jocotepec destaca entre los lugares donde se cometieron los crímenes.

La ola de violencia en la Ribera de Chapala se recrudeció durante noviembre y los primeros días de diciembre, ya que se han registrado al menos 8 muertes violentas, algunas con tintes del crimen organizado.

El caso más reciente ocurrió ayer en el kilómetro 104 de la carretera Guadalajara-Jocotepec, donde yacían los cuerpos de dos hombres que no fueron identificados.

Una de las víctimas tenía en la boca una toalla sanitaria, mientras que el segundo, tenía la cabeza cubierta con una venda y ambos presentaban contusiones además de las heridas por proyectil de arma de fuego.

Las autoridades localizaron más de 50 casquillos calibre 9 milímetros y 38 súper en la escena del crimen.

Homicidios en Ribera de Chapala
• 9 de noviembre.
Carlos Quintanilla Flores, su esposa, Anaís del Carmen Díaz Raygoza y su hija, Renata, de dos años fueron acribillados a tiros cuando viajaban en una camioneta por calles del centro de Chapala.
• 12 de noviembre.
En la brecha La Mesa, en el poblado El Molino, apareció el cuerpo de un hombre con heridas por proyectil de arma de fuego.
• 20 de noviembre.
Un supuesto pleito entre miembros de dos familias de El Molino culminó con la muerte a tiros de Enrique Ruiz Pérez, cuyo cadáver quedó en una plazoleta de Jocotepec.
• 22 de noviembre.
Atado de pies y manos así como a un costado de un mensaje escrito en cartulina fue encontrado el cadáver de un hombre en la carretera entre el poblado El Molino y el fraccionamiento Roca Azul.
• 29 de noviembre.
Un cuerpo envuelto en bolsas de plástico en color negro fue abandonado en una brecha que conduce al poblado El Molino, presentaba balazos.
• 29 de noviembre.
En Ajijic, un hombre de origen canadiense fue asesinado a tiros adentro de su domicilio, el móvil al parecer fue un robo.
• 3 de diciembre.
Los cuerpos de tres hombres adentro de bolsas de plástico fueron abandonados a dos kilómetros del poblado El Molino.

! Al pan, pan y al vino, vino !

DavidHF

Dec 19, 2011, 3:33 PM

Post #22 of 26 (2404 views)

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Re: [Yacatecuhtli] Safety

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Errors in their reporting include saying the man murdered in Ajijic was Canadian. He was an attorney from New York. Better to look at www.lakesidecrime.com

Vichil

Dec 19, 2011, 3:46 PM

Post #23 of 26 (2395 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] Safety

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Seemed that they forgot to report the 2 cab drivers that were murdered in Novembre and a few other things.. there is no accurate reporting of anything and no follow up so no point even worrying about it.

stevebrtx

Dec 26, 2011, 7:16 AM

Post #24 of 26 (2120 views)

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Re: [Vichil] Safety

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I have a tradition of exploring somewhere new on Christmas day, so this year I decided to go to Ixtlahuacan del Rio on the Zacatecas hwy N of Guad, I was mainly interested in seeing the river gorge. I decided to let the GPS get me across Guad, so I hit "GO" and we went. It took me just E of Centro on Independencia, out to the N Periferico and on out to the gorge. I poked around the town when I got there and headed back. On the return I took a right on Artesanos and told the GPS to take me to Chilis on the Chapala Hwy. It routed me all the way across town through neighborhoods I'd never seen before, around traffic circles (I hate those) and sure enough, we ended up at Chilis which I forgot was closed on Christmas.

The point being that I drove totally across Guad without hesitation or feeling any discomfort whatsoever. In 4 years of wandering around this general area only one time have I ever felt uncomfortable and that was last Christmas day in the village of San Juan Evangelista on the S side of Lake Cajijitlan, that day I got a few looks that kept me moving along.
http://www.chapalaweather.net

johninajijic

Dec 27, 2011, 7:47 AM

Post #25 of 26 (1992 views)

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Re: [bound4ajijic] Safety

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My Canadian friends have just told me that the Canadian news media is pushing Ajijic and Mexico as "THE" place to retire.

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