Border crime near Columbus? (Deming, Hope: how much, home, vs.)

[conny_oly]

We will be visiting Deming in a couple of weeks and will be going into Mexico at the crossing near Columbus. Should we be at all concerned?

[gabygirl]

I don't think so. I went there appx. three weeks ago with my family, crossed on foot, parked right near the border gate (there's a big, huge lot there = free). It was a Sunday afternoon, went to the "Pink Store", had some wonderful food & did a little bit of shopping all at that Pink Store. The Pink Store is only a few feet away from the border, so it *felt* pretty safe. It was a short/sweet visit though, I don't think there's much too see in the town itself. There were lots of US tourists there enjoying their meals & drinks, some in large groups. THAT being said, I have read/heard that there has been in the past gunshots fired between the rival parties over there (law enforcement vs. drug dealers).....**probably** not that close to the border though, just my opinion...

I'm not planning another visit anytime soon, but I don't think I would be deterred just for a brief trip only to the Pink Store, not much further.

After we were done, we walked back to the border & a long-ish line of cars crossing into the US was starting to form. We showed our US passports to the CBP officers at pedestrian, declared our trinkets and souvenirs, and went on our way home. Your call, but I wouldn't worry too much; just be cautious. Hope that helped!

[highdesertmutz]

Originally Posted by conny_oly

We will be visiting Deming in a couple of weeks and will be going into Mexico at the crossing near Columbus. Should we be at all concerned?

Has Pancho Villa been resurrected yet?

http://history1900s.about.com/cs/pan...anchovilla.htm

http://www.hsgng.org/pages/pancho.htm

[conny_oly]

Been there, done the museum,LOL!!

[conny_oly]

Isn't the Pink store great for bring back gifts & FREEEEE MARGARRRRRITA"S??!!!! Thanks for your opinion, it was helpful, didn't think it would be bad, but if you watch the news, you never know what to expect. Thanks again!!

[ajzjmsmom]

This is only my two cents worth. My hubby is a Border Patrol agent in the El Paso sector which encompasses all of NM as well. I asked him today when he got home if he would recommend a trip into Columbus. His answer was absolutely not. That is where the violence orginated and they actually had several police officers from there flee into the US seeking protection. I am sure there are alot more instances that I don't know of. I do know they warn our agents not to go into Mexico and if they do to be very vigilant and aware of your surroundings. While it is very doubtful you would be the direct target of the violence the person who is maybe in the same place you are and unfortunately the drug dealers don't seem to care who else gets killed. You can take it for what it is worth to you. I tend to trust my hubby since there is nothing that happens in our sector that he doesn't know about.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by ajzjmsmom

This is only my two cents worth. My hubby is a Border Patrol agent in the El Paso sector which encompasses all of NM as well. I asked him today when he got home if he would recommend a trip into Columbus. His answer was absolutely not. That is where the violence orginated and they actually had several police officers from there flee into the US seeking protection. I am sure there are alot more instances that I don't know of. I do know they warn our agents not to go into Mexico and if they do to be very vigilant and aware of your surroundings. While it is very doubtful you would be the direct target of the violence the person who is maybe in the same place you are and unfortunately the drug dealers don't seem to care who else gets killed. You can take it for what it is worth to you. I tend to trust my hubby since there is nothing that happens in our sector that he doesn't know about.

I think that's good advice. Every border patrol agent I've ever talked with can tell about things that happen out there that never make it into the news (almost like we're not supposed to know).

There are some desperate people crossing over the illegal ports of entry, people whose criminal backgrounds would never allow them to have a legitimate border crossing visa.

Chances are -- yes -- you won't run into one, and the same holds true if you were to wander around Ciudad Juarez, one of the most violent cities in the world right now and not run into trouble but how much do you need to tempt your luck?