El Tiburon
Guest
"smart criminal"-oxymoron
Totally agree ...If one wants to feel safe about rocky point, look at it this way. The cartel does not want to create waves in penasco and they are ok going about their business without affecting the tourism industry (that is just bad for business). In most cases when you hear about a big bust like the one we had, it was probably done because someone was no longer part of the team and it was authorized from up above. One thing we can all agree on is the method it was done under was not ideal for tourism (it sounds like the local authorities were kept in the dark).
Looking back, I just tell myself that these events are few and far between when it comes to being so open, so I will continue about living my life. No different that cartels or drug lords who own and run tourist areas in the Caribbean or islands around Asia, they don't want a target on their back so do their best to be as low key as possible (its called being a smart criminal).
I agree that the military action probably was necessary, but I fear for the fallout from it towards tourism.
We had Christmas dinner with our extended family (26 people), the adults ranged in age from late 20's to mid 60's.
They all asked us about the Shoot-out, (since we have a house in Cholla) and how we felt about it.
We responded that it was sad that it happened but necessary and that we will continue to travel to
Mexico as usual with a bit more caution, pay a bit more attention.
We polled the 15 adults and only 5 said they will continue to visit RP. (all under 30)
Almost all the 40+ people said they were done with Mexico and all have been there numerous times in the past 3-5 years.
The mentioned Canada, The USA and the Caribbean as places to go instead.
I was very surprised all from the "we are done with Mexico answers" I wonder how this is going to play out.
Any other members have similar scenes from their holiday gatherings?
My brother and two of his friends and their families are headed down next week for two weeks. They have raw property about 30 miles east of town. They pretty much have their heads in the sand and didn't know basic facts about what happened other than what was reported in the news. They made the usual comparisons to crime in Phoenix ignoring population differences & lack of statistics. Most of these people are gun nuts like me and carry concealed so I'm surprised they feel so safe unarmed where now they know what could potentially happen. Odds are even if they have another gunfight they won't hear it where they are so they won't be deterred I guess. Plus they have a vested interest as they are still fighting for a bank trust for their property and are $100k invested. Everyone else I know made gave up on Mexico in the last decade or so as I have. I can do Hawaii for the same amount I usually spend on Mexico and now I have a timeshare in Tahiti which greatly reduces my costs to visit there.I agree that the military action probably was necessary, but I fear for the fallout from it towards tourism.
We had Christmas dinner with our extended family (26 people), the adults ranged in age from late 20's to mid 60's.
They all asked us about the Shoot-out, (since we have a house in Cholla) and how we felt about it.
We responded that it was sad that it happened but necessary and that we will continue to travel to
Mexico as usual with a bit more caution, pay a bit more attention.
We polled the 15 adults and only 5 said they will continue to visit RP. (all under 30)
Almost all the 40+ people said they were done with Mexico and all have been there numerous times in the past 3-5 years.
The mentioned Canada, The USA and the Caribbean as places to go instead.
I was very surprised all from the "we are done with Mexico answers" I wonder how this is going to play out.
Any other members have similar scenes from their holiday gatherings?
Sub you kill me. 1st, I had no idea people still buy timeshares (for that I say sorry to hear of your recent purchase, hopefully the free night at a Hilton was worth it).My brother and two of his friends and their families are headed down next week for two weeks. They have raw property about 30 miles east of town. They pretty much have their heads in the sand and didn't know basic facts about what happened other than what was reported in the news. They made the usual comparisons to crime in Phoenix ignoring population differences & lack of statistics. Most of these people are gun nuts like me and carry concealed so I'm surprised they feel so safe unarmed where now they know what could potentially happen. Odds are even if they have another gunfight they won't hear it where they are so they won't be deterred I guess. Plus they have a vested interest as they are still fighting for a bank trust for their property and are $100k invested. Everyone else I know made gave up on Mexico in the last decade or so as I have. I can do Hawaii for the same amount I usually spend on Mexico and now I have a timeshare in Tahiti which greatly reduces my costs to visit there.
I'm on the same page... There are too many other cities and remote areas for the cartel to easily hide in. Distant ranch's , larger cities like TJ, Nogales, Mexicali, Hermosillo etc...For sure no need for cartel to live in a small American tourist area ( hard for cartel to blend in there and very easy for anyone to rent the place next door to him and take him out ). Pretty stupid to stay in Sandy Beach when you think about it. I would also have to believe that he knew he was gonna be killed and he figured no one would kill him there. Other cartel members now are probably not going to make that same home address mistake in the future. They now know that living at a place like that doesnt guarantee their safety...I think your missing the whole point. You say "there are now job openings to replace the bad guys" Yes drug lords will always be in Mexico but not BASED in a small tourist town like RP. The Mexican military made it VERY clear to all future drug lords RP & tourist areas will NOT be your home. Maybe big cities like Jaurez, Tijuana & Mexico City yes but RP & tourists areas no, no, no....You say "it could have been easily accomplished" Disagree completely, a job like this is never easy. The bad guys decided to make it make it very difficult & the Mexican military did what they had to do wiping out every bad guy and not harming anyone else.
Sometimes it takes a STRONG message and a heavy hand to keep the peace for years to come. I am very glad the govt is protecting RP. Over the last few years the cartel situation has been trending back towards the way it was for decades w/ minimal issues & violence and one cartel domination. Its not quite there yet but it is heading that way. The Mexican govt knows this & is clearly setting the proper boundries for the cartels drug route operations.
Like someone said on this forum "Rocky Point Strong!" Life goes on & the Mexican govt has shown they have our back & they are willing to do whatever it takes to keep RP safe..
Mike, Penasco is in play and serves many purposes now that the Costera is finished to the border.You pretend to miss the more complex picture.My guess is you know as well as some of us Penasco is in for some shakey times but in the end will be OK.Shooting hotels up with helicopter gunships is not the answer.I'm on the same page... There are too many other cities and remote areas for the cartel to easily hide in. Distant ranch's , larger cities like TJ, Nogales, Mexicali, Hermosillo etc...For sure no need for cartel to live in a small American tourist area ( hard for cartel to blend in there and very easy for anyone to rent the place next door to him and take him out ). Pretty stupid to stay in Sandy Beach when you think about it. I would also have to believe that he knew he was gonna be killed and he figured no one would kill him there. Other cartel members now are probably not going to make that same home address mistake in the future. They now know that living at a place like that doesnt guarantee their safety...
I'm on the same page... There are too many other cities and remote areas for the cartel to easily hide in. Distant ranch's , larger cities like TJ, Nogales, Mexicali, Hermosillo etc...For sure no need for cartel to live in a small American tourist area ( hard for cartel to blend in there and very easy for anyone to rent the place next door to him and take him out ). Pretty stupid to stay in Sandy Beach when you think about it. I would also have to believe that he knew he was gonna be killed and he figured no one would kill him there. Other cartel members now are probably not going to make that same home address mistake in the future. They now know that living at a place like that doesnt guarantee their safety...
You obviously weren't here but back in the day I was always saying that the Cartel would be moving into Puerto Penasco as the drug war heated up in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. What happens when you squeeze a something on both ends? It moves to the middle and now it's here.I'm on the same page... There are too many other cities and remote areas for the cartel to easily hide in. Distant ranch's , larger cities like TJ, Nogales, Mexicali, Hermosillo etc...For sure no need for cartel to live in a small American tourist area ( hard for cartel to blend in there and very easy for anyone to rent the place next door to him and take him out ). Pretty stupid to stay in Sandy Beach when you think about it. I would also have to believe that he knew he was gonna be killed and he figured no one would kill him there. Other cartel members now are probably not going to make that same home address mistake in the future. They now know that living at a place like that doesnt guarantee their safety...
LOL....Do you have any common sense? Criminals want to blend in, they want to NOT get killed or caught, they want to be surrounded by people they know and can trust, they want to keep making lots of money and not screw that up, they DONT want to piss of their boss or the govt........ITS A LITTLE HARD TO DO THAT in a tourist resort when you have strangers & new people checking into the units next to you, across from you, behind you every few days. (are these strangers cops? are they dea? are they other cartel that wants them dead? )MikeHeadinTheSandCartelAdvisor
Ever stop to figure you have "no need to live in a small American tourist area" either? But you do...along with lotsa folks. You know why? Cause it's 'nice' there...
These cartel guys make billions-millions of dollars....do you really think they want to live in some hole in the wall- small ranch-town? What good is all that money if you can't spend it?
DUH