Yesterday, I arrived at about 4:30 by taxi on the sidewalk opposite my hotel. Three local police vehicles were out and front with lights on. There were also about eight fully armed policemen standing near the front door. Considering the reports of Bandits with Badges and my own encounter, I didn’t want to cross the street. However, standing on the street, travel bag in hand, I felt like a target standing there.
The vehicles left, but others replaced them. My money and critical documents were in a difficult to reach place, so I crossed the street and into the gauntlet with some confidence that most of my capital was safe. There were a number of glances in my direction, but nothing more than.
This was the fourth time this year that I have stayed here, so the staff is getting to know me. (Also, I scatter tips around, so they make an effort to remember.)
The bellman is a friendly sort and speaks English well. Of course I inquired about the police convention outside.
He said that there is a SWAT team and a number of officers from Mexico City staying at the hotel and that it is completely safe. They were there to crack down on local police corruption. I was shocked. The Mexican government cares about the locals ripping off the Gringos? Grain of salt time.
However, after concluding a lovely six-hour session with ATF2, I walked her to her Uber about midnight. There was a buzz of activity and a number of marked police vehicles from outside the area parked and moving on the street.
While I have little faith, maybe…just maybe there is an honest effort to reduce the corruption and harassment. I am here for two more nights. This will be interesting.
wow!!! I'm coming back down next week to Zona Norte. I hope they are cracking down on the bandits with badges...