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englishtou · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 47 Location: mexico city

Hi,I lived there until about a year ago,and plan to come back. What have been some of your experiences with security or the lack of....any tips??Thanks,Frank

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Will sound strange, but I was comparing safety stories with another poster earlier today. I feel much safer in Mexico City than other places in Mexico. For me, having so many people around is what gives that security. I know the city and the culture well and don't frequent the areas in the east that are unsafe. Chilangos are warm, approachable, and helpful people.

Here, I've never had a fear being out late at night. A lot of it boils down to who you are though. No one has ever messed with me because I don't look like someone to mess with. Sounds overly simplified and maybe naive, but 6 years and a bit later, not a single problem....not even anything like Johnny T's Aguascalientes experiences.

Tips? Mind your surroundings. Know that the vast majority of people are not out to get you or your wallet. They are too busy just being regular people. And the one guy who is looking to get you or your wallet? Just don't be a victim...such folk prey on the weak.

englishtou · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 47 Location: mexico city

That`s what I remembered when I was there before! And it`s really interesting because there really AREN'T many police for the number of people there.....and they're usually chatting,not terribly busy!!

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject:

I have never had a problem with security here in the DF. Not once. I am a big guy though. 6'2" tall and on the heavy side. That might help a little. I also don't dress or act like a tourist. What does that mean? I wear collered shirts, khakis or nice jeans. Leather shoes polished. I don't carry around a Spanish pharse book (get a pocket one if needed) or a Lonely Planet: Rob me, I'm a tourist! guidebook. I don't sling a camera around my neck. I don't walk around bad areas at night or get drunk. Pretty much common sense stuff. I feel safer here then in any large US city. I've said that before and I'll say it again.

Gary Denness · Guest

You know, I feel safe in DF. I hear all the stories, but every time I step out the front door, the birds are singing, the people smiling and the leaves fluttering in a pleasant wind!

I don't get paranoid, and other than the normal sensible precautions don't give 'safety' much thought. I feel safer here than back in London, where you're one wrong turn from a senseless punch in the face from some drunk outside a chippy.

But then there are those stories....in the last year 4 security guards got shot dead just down the road, a man with his kid got shot dead during a car jacking, SWMBO's dad and brother got held up at gunpoint, her friend had her car taken off her while she was still in it.....maybe perception and reality have just, fortunately, never met?

Incidentally, has anyone noticed that most Mexicans in DF have either never been robbed, or have been robbed a load of times? Maybe there is something in the 'Born Victim' theory after all!

Just a last point on my personal perceptions....the safest I have ever felt was in the Yucatan peninsular and up in the Copper Canyon. The least safe Acapulco (understandable I guess - a lot of drunk peeps!) and Guadalajara. Maybe I was just in the shady part of town; I don't know it terribly well.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

I agree with the canadian. I feel safer in the middle of NYC than I did in Hays, Kansas, where a kid just blew away 6 people outside his middle school gym. This would never happen in NYC because noone would get away with it, there's too many people packed all around and no where to escape.

bradwelljackson · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 75 Location: Shakhty, Russia

I lived in Mexico City for 10 months, 4 months of that time in Torres de Padierna. I passed through many neighborhoods that I was told were dangerous. In fact, I was even told they were the most dangerous (Neza, Cuidad Azteca, the area around Constitution 1917, Tepito). I am an ectomorphic (euphamism for wimpy) person. I never, and I mean never, needed to worry about any danger.
I loved Mexico City and its people. As a matter of fact, I used to be strongly anti-immigration until I met the citizens of D.F. I was very happy there and will never forget how good the people were to me. I can only hope to be so lucky to return one day. And believe me, safety will be the last thing on my mind.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:06 pm Post subject:

I am a short woman (5'2") but don't look particularly vulnerable. That could be why though I've made many long-term visits to Mexico City since 1966, when I was 20, I've never felt in danger or have been even mildly concerned about my safety. Of course, when I was (much) younger and slimmer and didn't have gray hair, I was sometimes approached by young men looking to pick up a "gringa", but nowadays even that isn't a problem.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

I haven't spent a lot of time in el DF but I've never once felt threatened or uncomfortable, any more than you would anywhere else. Just use your common sense and you'll be fine.