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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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 Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:15 pm Post subject: ALERT in Mexico DF/State-Public Transport!!! |
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There is an alarming and dangerous trend in both Mexico DF and Mexico State (can't comment on other areas).
Armed bands of 2-3 men board public transportation and proceed to rob all the passengers of their wallets, watches, cell phones, jewelry etc.
These robberies can take place at ANY time on-board ANY form of public transport including chicken buses, paseros, combi's, etc.
These attacks have been occurring with greater frequency and they can happen morning, afternoon, or night. Weekday or weekend.
Exercise caution when using public transport: Avoid wearing jewelry or watches. Hide cell phones. Remember the golden rule of living in Mexico: NEVER leave the house (hotel, apartment etc) with anything you are not willing to lose. Leave all important docs, passports, credit/ATM cards at HOME!
STAY SAFE!!! |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Got a link to a story on this new trend? |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
| Got a link to a story on this new trend? |
Let's see:
Many people I know in Mexico City have been victims.
I witnessed a bus robbery.
Drug war might not have reached the DF yet, but what we lack in drug violence is made up for with daily crime. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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The worst part about bus robberies is that there is little that can be done to not be a victim.
On the Metro, one can take many precautions to avoid getting pick-pocketed.
With taxis, again precautions can be taken or they can be avoided.
But with buses???
When 2-3 armed men jump on the bus and block the exits... Whatcha going do? |
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Spector
Joined: 23 Oct 2009
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Prof.Gringo wrote: |
The worst part about bus robberies is that there is little that can be done to not be a victim.
On the Metro, one can take many precautions to avoid getting pick-pocketed.
With taxis, again precautions can be taken or they can be avoided.
But with buses???
When 2-3 armed men jump on the bus and block the exits... Whatcha going do? |
What kind of scale are we talking about here though? If, for example, I were to take a bus to work five days a week for a year, what chance would I have of being a victim of an armed bus robbery? Would it be a 20% chance? 10% chance? |
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Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2041
Location: A World of my Own
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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I embedded the tailgate of my car into my forehead at the weekend. Now THAT'S dangerous!  |
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Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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Were you acting alone, or did you have an accomplice?  |
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the peanut gallery
Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 264
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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Damn American tailgates!  |
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gregd75
Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 360
Location: Tlaquepaque, Jalisco
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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Buses in London are fitted with protective shields because of the countless attacks against the bus drivers who used to have money. They also have radio communication with the police and security cameras.
Nowadays you buy your ticket before you get on the bus so the bus driver doesn't have money.
I was once on a night bus going from Trafalgar Square to Sutton, via Streatham and Brixton (two very not nice areas of London) and the bus was robbed.
I guess this can happen anywhere in the world.
Saying this, good advice from Prof. Gringo... don't wave things about like your i-pad or your i-phone 4 (version 3 is not so desirable so I'm told) and always remember that if you get robbed, you can always go to the street market (i think the name is el tapio or something like that in DF) and you can buy your stuff back!!!!!!!! |
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Isla Guapa
Joined: 19 Apr 2010
Posts: 1520
Location: Mexico City o sea La Gran Manzana Mexicana
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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If I were to take Prof. Gringo's latest warning to heart, I might never take a bus again in Mexico City.  Or maybe I've never been the victim of a hold-up on a bus because the ones I usually take are the nice ones that ply the route between Auditorio and the Zocalo. |
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Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2041
Location: A World of my Own
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Samantha wrote: |
| Were you acting alone, or did you have an accomplice? |
I guess that depends on your religious views! |
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Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| If I were to take Prof. Gringo's latest warning to heart, I might never take a bus again in Mexico City |
You need to be one step ahead of them. A bunch locals who own shops here were on a buying trip to Guadalajara a few weeks ago, when some robbers jumped on their bus just outside the big city and relieved them of purses, wallets, and anything not hidden. One woman said they take this trip regularly (apparently the bus was chartered) so they take precautions. She had a bunch of money stuffed in her sock, and a bunch more in her bra! The purse, which she quickly handed over, had just enough in it to be convincing. So take a tip from a local and pad your underwear with pesos, hand over a cheap watch, and a "fake" wallet (or let it be picked from your pocket) without an argument. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Spector wrote: |
| Prof.Gringo wrote: |
The worst part about bus robberies is that there is little that can be done to not be a victim.
On the Metro, one can take many precautions to avoid getting pick-pocketed.
With taxis, again precautions can be taken or they can be avoided.
But with buses???
When 2-3 armed men jump on the bus and block the exits... Whatcha going do? |
What kind of scale are we talking about here though? If, for example, I were to take a bus to work five days a week for a year, what chance would I have of being a victim of an armed bus robbery? Would it be a 20% chance? 10% chance? |
I am wondering if there was only a 10% or 20% chance of getting robbed on a bus in Mexico City, would that be acceptable? I think not.
People play the lottery every week with almost no chance to win. Folks have a fear of flying when air transport (in developed countries) is safer than crossing the street.
But the very real danger of a bus robbery, that's an OK and acceptable threat???
I don't think so. And the possibility of being a victim of a bus robbery is much more likely than being in a plane crash or winning millions in the lotto. As such, it must be brought to light.
Last edited by Prof.Gringo on Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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There are several ways to try and not become a victim, but again, very hard to say which bus or microbus or van is going to get hit next.
Decoy wallet is an old trick. Fill it with old ID's, expired credit/bank cards, business cards etc. Leave some small bills in it. It might just save your life someday.
BTW these attacks have all been on local transport in the DF/Estado de Mexico metro area. |
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notamiss
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 908
Location: El 5o pino del la CDMX
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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I personally know 2 people this happened to in DF. One took place about 10 years ago, the other a few months ago.
My anecdotal data don�t support a recent increase in frequency, but anecdotal data aren�t reliable for telling anything about trends in general.
What is the evidence for a recent increase?
Last edited by notamiss on Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:40 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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