 -Border Town Security Questioned
U.S. travelers warned after incidents
By Logan Hawkes
A rash of crimes in recent years directed against U.S. visitors to Texas-Mexican border towns has raised concerns over personal safety for the thousands of Americans who cross international bridges daily to shop local markets, visit medical/dental clinics or enjoy the culture and flavors of Mexico.
UPDATE
U.S. Embassy in Mexico City Issues Travel Warning
As this article was being published, our office received an email bulletin from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, a travel warning for U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico, especially the U.S.-Mexico border region.
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In spite of intense efforts on both sides of the border to curb incidents of crime against visitors, recent reports from Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, indicate the threat level has risen from moderate to high for U.S. citizens in recent weeks.
For many tourists who brave border crossings, what starts out to be a casual day trip to experience international culture and enjoy the abundant shopping and entertainment afforded by these border cities turns out to be a nightmare of extortion, car-jacking and robbery, with more than a few incidents resulting in abduction and even physical violence and homicide.
While the Mexican border cities of Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa have been the prime communities in recent years where tourists were most at risk, recent reports from Matamoros indicate the problem has spread south all the way to the Gulf.
In Matamoros a group of five teenagers are being held in connection with the recent car jacking and murder of 65-year old Consuelo Ortiz of Brownsville. The woman and a friend were visiting Matamoros Aug. 7 when the incident happened. According to Matamoros police, the youth, all between the ages of 16-20, followed Ortiz to her car in a paid parking lot, pulling a gun and choking the woman with a belt. The gang placed Ortiz's body in the trunk and later dumped it in the Rio Grande River.
Police say the teens admit car theft was the motive but say the woman's death was not intended. Police report the group are also suspect in a chain of other crimes in the neighborhood where the murder occurred.
In another incident in the border city, Rigoberto Rodriguez of Brownsville was found dead Aug. 17 in a vacant lot in a residential area of Matamoros. The man, a permanent resident of the U.S., had just returned from a work project in Florida. Police say they believe Rodriguez was murdered after trying to sell his truck to a Matamoros man.
In the most recent incident to cross our desk, an 87-year old retired U.S. citizen was kidnapped by what the victim believes to be Matamoros police officers. The Valley resident, who prefers to remain anonymous, reports he had driven across the border and was traveling along 5th Street (Calle 5th) on Sept. 9 when a uniformed police officer wielding an automatic rifle "pounded" on the hood of his of car. The officer pulled the man from the car and performed a body search.
A patrol car arrived on the scene and the victim was forced into the squad car and taken to a soccer field and detained while uniformed policemen intimidated him, demanding his ATM card and pin number.
The elderly victim, apparently using his wits, reports he began telling the officers that he was suffering from multiple health conditions including a weak heart and cancer, and says he became vocal about his concerns. The "police officers" were apparently taken back by his actions and reportedly began reassuring the victim that "everything will be all right."
Finally the officers let the man go after he gave them all the cash in his wallet, about $70.00. One of the officer's allegedly warned the man "When you come back, bring $500.00."
While similar incidents have occurred in border towns along the U.S.-Mexican frontier, U.S. State Department officials are warning the number of crimes are increasing. And so apparently are the seriousness of the offences. Where once a $10 bill would discourage a would-be thief to take the money and run, modern hijackers are aiming for more.
There have been reports of U.S. citizens held for up to three days while thieves used their ATM card to extract the daily maximum amount. In most instances the victims of theft are eventually released.
But there is growing concern that younger offenders and more organized criminal elements are getting into the game and the risk of more violent crime is increasing.
Unless swift and serious attempts are made by Matamoros officials to provide better security and maintain better control of their own police officers and/or those posing as officers, WinterTexans.com is recommending that winter visitors avoid crossing into Matamoros this year.
While crime and corruption are a problem on both sides of the border, bold and blatant hijacking and larceny by the hands or in sight of police officials would prove to be a quick death to the cross-border tourist market. Mexican border towns have long benefited from milling winter visitors who provide a solid base for the local economy. Losing that income would result in significant impact.
Recognizing the need for increased safety and awareness, nearby Nuevo Progreso has apparently gone the extra mile to assure the safety and security of U.S. visitors by stepping up police patrols, placing uniformed street guides, or tourist police, on the sidewalk to offer information and security for visitors. The same should be expected from other border towns interested in attracting winter visitors.
Traveling across the border into Mexico remains high on our list as a great way to experience cross culture exchanges, to save on medicines and other consumer goods, and to experience the sights, sounds and flavor of neighboring communities in colorful and historic Mexico. But U.S. citizens are warned to take precautions, like traveling in groups.
Here are some of the do's and don'ts for crossing the border:
 Avoid troublesome communities where incidents happen regularlyCarry a small amount of cash that can be lost in the event of trouble
Leave your ATM and credit cards at home, or ask your bank to restrict use outside the U.S.
If confronted by crime, remain calm and don't appear agitated or act fearful. Politely insist on seeing "the Judge" or police chief
Stay in well populated areas and avoid dark streets and alleys
Try to cross back into the U.S. before 9-10pm
Always let someone know you are crossing the border and where you are going.
Walk across the bridge and/or take a taxi from an area where there are several taxis for hire. Pick your driver and vehicle with care.
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Rio Grande Valley
