Baja Bible School - Is TIjuana Safe?

[ninjabeatzkill]

And yes innocent ppl have been killed over here. Right now its a war between the government and the drug cartels. Right now a lot of cops are feeling the wrath.

[silverbajabible]

Hey ninjabeatz, thanks for the comment. I have talked with six leaders of others non-profit organizations that have worked with thousands of visiting volunteers in the last year, and none of them or their volunteers have seen anything happen. I imagine that a few innocent people have been caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, but that happens in every city. We have people who are literally scared to death to come here, THAT fear is naive - mexican friends I have talked to agree with me.

[skittles8768]

I seriously think that either 1) you're lying about not knowing anyone who's been affected or 2) you never leave the ministry. I live in socal and we were talking about what's going on in TJ in one of my classes and a LOT of people either knew someone who had been kidnapped (for ransom) or killed (one person's sister's friend was kidnapped from a bar and had her body stuffed with drugs that they tried to sneak back into the US). I was really suprised because I didn't know things were THAT bad.

[silverbajabible]

Skittles - unnecessary ad hominem. Lets stick to the facts about probable danger. Kenn Morris from Crossborder Business Associates has a well-researched report from late 2008 (at the peak of violence) that says Tijuana is safer than New Orleans.

This year, 2009, the murder rate is almost half of last year's so we're closer to Baltimore or Detroit by my calculations (36 to 38 per 100,000)

[AburraHeat]

@silverbajabible Hi man.

Hmm I'm not sure about Cross border BA I think they're a questionable source for murder rates, actually they abuse FBI data and take it out of context.

The murder rate for New Orleans is, in fact, almost half Tijuana's and the other US cities are safer too, it's also true TJ's violence is possibly more targeted I just differ with the murder comparing. I can send you the FBIU report if you're interested.

Thanks.

[fac3308]

It is what you make of it. if you go to LA and act like a idiot or mess with drugs your bound to get your behind handed to you. Its all fear tactics and racism. Commen sense, love, and respect prevails and its universal. Most Mexican nationals are loving people. i go their once a month.

[GringoHunter]

@skittles8768 Well im not defending this guy ,but i live just a few blocks from were this Church is located and i was raised here the only time i ever seen a shoot out and people getting killed was back in the 80s in the US!!! a guy went in to a San Ysidro CA, McDonalds and killed a few ppl and then shot him self he was a Veteran from the VIETNAM WAR.

I live in a peacefull neighborhood and life goes on, DO NOT belive what the media feeds you.

[ninjabeatzkill]

Hey I live in Tijuana 2. Dude, I think u guys are being 2 naive. There are places u go and places u don't go. You have 2 live here 2 understand. Yes the news like 2 sensationalize things but I've lived here and its not a nice place 2 live right now. You can't really enjoy yourself cause your always paranoid and shit. I guess my point is don't be so naive and just wait for things 2 calm down.

[hungryhippos41]

I'm visiting tomorrow with mexican friends (I live in Chula Vista), is it safe? we're just getting mexican candy, food and stuff. Is it safe?

[silverbajabible]

Hi hungryhippos41.

With regular prudence, if you're just an innocent tourist and not connected to drug trafficking then you're not placing yourself in harm's way to be in Tijuana. I don't go walking around alone late at night, but I don't do that anywhere else either.

The main issue for visitors here is petty theft which is pretty easy to avoid if you keep your wallet in a smart place, don't leave things in your car, etc.

In my opinion, this video is still current for May 2009

[hungryhippos41]

ok thanks, I'm going at 11 and leaving at 4 or 5. so not late at all. thanks. my mom is understandably worried, but I'm trying to tell you I'm not involved with drugs or anything so I'm safe, thanks.

[DdKen7]

Your the man!

very helpful!

i might live here this fall.

[AbdAlNour]

thank you, very helpful!

[silverbajabible]

No problem! If you're interested, we're doing a whole bunch more - light-hearted videos of life here in Tijuana. Going to coffee shops, exercising at the sports complex, running to the grocery store for an apple fritter. : ) The name of the series is "Tijuana Life" and its being posted by the user "furrycloud". This is a side of Tijuana that most visitors don't get to see!

[photonfarms]

Well done, I think we should be VERY careful how much we trust the news media... which sells product placement ads heavily and unashamedly and thereby stands to profit greatly from sensationalizing news stories and praying on people's fears. I am praying that your video gets viewed by all the parents who are considering not allowing their teens to go to Tiajuna this year solely because of the sensational stories they have been getting fed by market driven news media agencies. Praying for you!!

[silverbajabible]

Thanks photonfarms - and thanks for your prayers. We have several groups and quite a few summer staff coming down this summer to work with us. God is really blessing us in that way.

[benjaminponder]

Great video, Dan!

[silverbajabible]

Thanks Ben!