Crime in GTO, posted today on SMA "bulletin board"

[Doyle Phillips]

"The Embassy personnel refused to speculate if the rising tide of serious
crime in San Miguel and Guanajuato would cause an official warning by the
State Department about traveling in this part of Mexico, as it has in parts of
Michoacan."

4a Visit by U.S. Embassy Security Detail Wed Mar 26, 2014 12:32 pm (PDT) . Posted by: gerie.bledsoe Yesterday security personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City visited
SMA to meet privately with individuals who have been victims of a crime and
to meet in open session with a group of U.S. citizens at the Biblioteca.
They also met with the local "district attorney" at the Ministerio Publico,
the state agency in town that investigates crimes and brings suspects
before the judicial system for prosecution.

The security detail, which included two men who are responsible for the
safety of U.S. diplomats in Mexico and for preparing information for the State
Department´s travel advisories strongly recommended that U.S. citizens
take all steps necessary to protect their persons and their property.


They stressed that victims of robbery or home invasions should NOT resist,
but to be passive. To resist, they said, may well result in a serious
beating or shooting. They ask, are your things really worth it, no matter how
invaded you feel? When asked, they strongly advised against using a firearm
for defense.


In a private session they heard the details of several serious cases of
muggings, beatings, and home invasions. They were especially appalled by the
severe beating of several senior citizens.


The security detail was emphatic about one thing. All crimes should be
reported to the Ministerio Publico within 72 hours and then to the U.S.
Consular agent in SMA, Ed Clancy.


--victims should report crimes to the Ministerio Publico, even if they
doubt the efficacy of the process.

--the crime should be reported in great detail: everything that the
victim can remember, especially any violence or threats, identifying marks on
the bad guys, times, places, stolen goods. The more detail the better,
because it gives the investigators more leads and makes it more difficult for
them to drop a case.

In some case, the Ministerio can send out a mobile unit, where the victims
can make the report, and the investigation can begin immediately at the
crime scene.


--individuals who are reporting a crime should specifically ask for an
investigation of the crime

--victims must also ask for a copy of the complaint (denuncia), the
statement they made and signed