My closest brush with crime in Mexico City was one day when I was coming out of the subway, and I saw a guy who was very well dressed in the trendiest clothes listening to his iPod, wearing sunglasses that were probably worth more than the suit I was wearing and the laptop I was carrying put together. Within about 5 seconds someone had approached him from the front, and someone else from behind, and stripped him of every last item of value he was carrying.
I had been carrying a briefcase and wearing a suit, but I guess these thieves know what they’re doing; although I was dressed for a business-type job, they could tell I really didn’t have items that would be worth anything to them.
For a place that has a reputation for being unsafe, I’d say it’s pretty impressive that during 2 years, this was my closest brush was crime – especially considering I lived in some not-so-nice neighbourhoods.
While I definitely been lucky, and had some excellent “guides” (my wife, friends, etc.), I think it’s also safe to say that a good way to avoid robbery in Mexico City is not to carry things worth steeling. Dress in regular clothes and leave the valuables at home.
With that rule of thumb in mind, I think that it’s also safe to say that it’s no more dangerous to be in Mexico City than in just about any other large city. People get nervous simply because of the city’s size; there are definitely places best avoided, and a common sense is needed, I would say this is even more true in cities like Detroit. According to Wikipedia, Mexico City isn’t as safe as “highly developed western European cities such as Frankfurt or Barcelona but is safer then cities such as Moscow or Washington DC.”
Lonely Planet listed Mexico City as one of its “Top 8 places to (safely) visit in Mexico now,” saying:
“There really is no more fascinating city in the world than Mexico’s misunderstood capital. With a population of over 21 million (and a crime rate about a third of Washington, DC’s), Mexico City had a serious scrub-up for its bi-centennial, and now some places like mariachi-filled Plaza Garibaldi are considered (like Times Square in New York) safe enough to be a ‘Disney version’ of its former gritty self.”
Mexico City has many beautiful places to visit, and my advice to travellers is definitely worth going; travellers need to use common sense (as anywhere else) but can go there with confidence that they will be fairly safe.
Great post Jacob! For whatever reason petty crime in large cities is one of my main interests at the moment. I've seen my share in my travels throughout Europe - although I've never been a victim, not yet at least!
ReplyDeleteElaine - Personal interests don't really need justification. I also find the stories, stats, how, where and why of petty crime in large cities intriguing - hence this post. As I said in this post, I've also never been victim (at least not yet, as you say.) Perhaps that's why we find it interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Jacob, Mexico City is a great place to visit. You have to be careful with some places and of course not to go where is dangerous at nights...
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