Just received this message from our outfitter in Baja...
Subject: Relevant Information from SECTURE (Secretary of Tourism)
In order to create a better environment for visitors to Baja California, we are pleased to share a few of the actions that are taking place in coordination with authorities from the three levels of Government in order to assure a safe and pleasant stay for travelers to our State.
First of all, it should be underlined that Baja California maintains a very welcoming and positive attitude towards visitors, the same that historically has made us one of the preferred destinations for tourist from the United States and from all over the world.
While in the latter part of 2007 a number of isolated incidents took place, corrective undertakings where implemented by the authorities which have proven to benefit those who travel in our State. A good indicator was Easter and Spring Break vacation, as expectations where surpassed when over 380 thousand national and foreign visitors traveled throughout Baja California without an incident worth mentioning.
Among the efforts in place, the following should be mentioned:
Starting on Avenida Internacional and along the border zone of Tijuana a tourism assistance effort with motorcycle guides to orient our visitors is ongoing everyday.
Our Visitor Assistance Hotline 078 was improved. This toll free service provides visitors with information and assistance when necessary 365 days a year.
We now have sixteen Visitor Information Centers available throughout the State.
We have produced and are distributing over two million "safety tips" brochures that include a map as well as useful information for our visitors.
We have upgraded and in some cases relocated our offices in order to be closer to visitors and provide better service.
We are maintaining a closer working relationship with law enforcement agencies as well as the highway patrol to disseminate useful information and to assure they provide timely assistance to visitors when necessary.
Bilingual operators are now available at our Emergency Phone Line 066 which can also be accessed once here from any US cellular phone, by dialing 911 or 112 from European cellular providers.
We increased the roadside assistance service provided by the "Green Angels" .
A new internet link is available on our website
www.discoverbajacalifornia.comso that our visitors may describe their Baja California experience. This space is available to for , suggestions and even complaints..
In so far as the City Authorities are concerned:
The new Tourism Police is now in service in the city of Rosarito Beach.
Also in Rosarito Beach, a citizen watch group was formed with 300 volunteers to oversee that visitors have a pleasant experience while there.
In the City of Tijuana, law enforcement presence has been addressed and drastic measures are in place to prosecute police officers that act unethically.
In the City of Ensenada a training program has been implemented focused on bilingual tourism police officers.
This has been a summary of some of the important actions that we have implemented to assure our visitors a pleasant stay while in Baja California.
For additional information please visit our web page at
www.discoverbajacalifornia.com
The criminal activity regarding the shootout between criminals, the Japanese business man are very unfortunate but not related to tourist visiting Baja California and the case of the local couple that were robbed and the wife rape, very unfortunate but is not a recent event, it happened late October of 2007 in Cuatro Casas south of the state, all levels of government and society are doing all to insure a safe and fun Baja California Experience, proof of that is that since November of 2007 there has been NO incidents that involved tourist, specially in tourist destination, the Tijuana-Rosarito-Enseanda corridor , the Wine Country Trail and federal highways, all of the people of Mexico are committed to a better and safe county, Baja California is part of this important effort and have results in this matter,
Please feel free to contact me at your convenience is you have any questions or are in need of assistance during your visits to Baja California, we will contact Mira Costa College to inform them about the actual situation regarding tourism in our state, and hope they can continue their program to the wine country and other great destinations available to all visitors.
Arturo Martinez Esquer
Deputy Director of Visitor Assistance
State Secretariat of Tourism of Baja California From the U.S. please dial:
(011 52 664) 973 0424
www.discoverbajacalifornia.com 
I remember when a "check point" was a building in the middle of no where with some fat ass mexican with a 357 shoved in his pants 
God created the fishing pole to keep the truely gifted from ruling the world.
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