Now some people want to give Sampson all the credit for making TJ safe once again. And in case you don't know Sampson and a group of mongers met and had a storm group think session where they brought up ideas in a prostitution bar...how to make TJ safer from chokeholding rateros. ( I think all meetings should take place in a prostitution bar)
One of those things some members wanted to do is set up a 'sting" where a monger decoy would go out there as bait, and when the rateros take the bait, the members would simple beat the shit out of the ratero!
I think I helped nix that idea, when I brought up the point I'd hate to be those guys when the rateros gang retaliated against them in the bars where they hang out.
So what the group did was sent out emails to the tourist director in Tijuana who seemed to take their concerns seriously. Later they tried to met with the chief of police, but that was canceled. But later I now understand they did meet Leyzaola, Secretary of Security of Tijuana and some issues were address.
Now one member of the group, not Sampson tried to give Sampson and the group credit for making Tijuana safe once again!
So since I sent my own letter of concern to the tourist board. I asked Arturo Martinez from the tourism office, if the group met with them and the chief of police, and he did say Sampson and the group did met with the group, and some issues were address, but he also said the ball is in their court? Whatever that means? That probably means if they want to set up a neighborhood watch programs, they could but they are on their own to get merchants to sign on their program???
Martinez also knew or suspected this group were mongers from the US, and said, " we definitely do not promote this kind of tourism, but since they are visitors in our country and state, we have the obligations to assist the best way possible."
Here is what I think. First of all I have nothing against Sampson, or what he tried, the email and meetings were a good idea, and you have nothing to lose.
But I also don't think much will be accomplished as TJ been a corrupt and semi-dangerous place for years, and no small group is going to be able to clean up TJ just because they are upset a few of them got mugged.
However, what I didn't like is a few members of Sampson's group would want to get involved, and then claim credit, and later try to make the claim TJ is now safe. ( I'm not into fairytales)
I also didn't like this lesbian gringa from the rich suburbs start going all hysteria over the choke hold stories and started to view Sampson and the committee as heroes on white horses, and people shouldn't say anything negative towards their efforts.( I don't need heroes on white horses)
So now you have fairytales, white horses, and ranting lesbians!
That's just asking too much of me to not make comment on this whole issue.