On the Radar: Spring Break Security Alert
Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer
Baja is a hot spot for vacationers, and surfers – and a magnet for spring break. But it's also suffering from an image problem stemming from some very real safety issues. Dangerous drug routes to the United States run through the region.
With spring break just around the corner, the U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert aimed at tourists considering visiting many areas in Mexico, including northern Baja California.
Rosarito and Ensenada are two cities feeling the consequences. The mayor of Rosarito says the violence in surrounding areas is destroying business. He says his city is safe - yet he travels with armed guards.
Despite the State Department's warnings, and a growing list of victims, not everyone is listening. Thursday on 360° Gary Tuchman digs deeper. He'll talk to spring break travelers who have ignored calls to stay away.
Are they being brave – or foolhardy? What do you think? Would you take the risk?
See you at 10 p.m. eastern...
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Filed under: 360° Radar • Cate Vojdik |
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The idea of srping break is bask i the warm sun ,and swim in the ocean of blue water.It'a not to be loooking over your shoulder wondering wil i be struck down in the prime of my life by crimanlas who are drug lords. Thisa isa the place they are sending our jobs to here in Ontario when John Deere closes it's plant and they send all our resources jobs to this country to crime filled place? What is wrong with them !
Where to go??
What is the safest place??
Spring Breakers--–beware--your round trip ticket may default into a "one-way ticket."
To be honest, I think it's all coming down to the general public's inability to stay up to date with the warnings heeded to them via the news, and instead investing that time in studying the potential scenarios of the next episode of American Idol (no offense Simon).
My daughter is a junior at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She and her boyfriend had there spring break trip booked to Cancun, Mexico for some time now. She had worked so hard to save money to go and was not happy when we questioned her decision due to the violence in Mexico. Before she left, however, we grilled her about safety tips and to be aware of her surroundings & always with someone, even in the day. She left Monday & is coming home Friday and they have had absolutely no problems in Cancun. It's sad that we had to warn her of the dangers of the city, but when you think about it, isn't it the same as any other dangers she might face in large cities in the U.S.?
I wouldn't take the risk if the State department warned me away from the area. Just too many other places you could go to and be safe – you can always go to this area later when its safer. I wonder though how many will go and if they get into trouble claim ignorance of the danger there.