High crime rate in Mexico warrants building a wall

By James Lambert

Sadly, the US media barely reports the escalating crime rate south of the border. Mexican officials tell us that in 2017 murder rates in Tijuana exceeded 1,500. Homicides in the country in 2017 were 25,339. Mexico's violent murder rate is now more than double that of the United States, (and the U.S. population is greater than three times larger). According to a Newsweek article from 2017, the murder rate in Mexico has reached a record high, but no one will talk about it. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) report states that "Mexico is now the second-deadliest conflict zone in the world after Syria."

Most U.S. news agencies report their alarm when the murder rate in Chicago exceeded 900, (as in 2017), implying that more gun control will solve the problem. Illinois already has in place some of the most restrictive gun control laws in the nation. It certainly appears that the media's agenda (as with the Chicago murder rate) is to encourage more restriction on gun ownership there and elsewhere.

But now we have a city on the Mexican border that is significantly smaller in population than Chicago where the murder rate is almost double. Yet, do you hear the American media making much noise about this? Even the Obama administration occasionally put out warnings to young people during spring break to avoid Tijuana and other Mexican border towns due to high crime rates. (The violence in other Mexican tourist destinations such as Cancun has escalated as well).

This problem is certainly another good reason to support a border wall. Clearly high crime rates in Mexico necessitate protection of our borders. Yet the media and liberal Democrats continue to pile on President Trump regarding any suggestions of the U.S. building a more secure wall along our commonly shared border.

The dominance of the drug cartels in Mexico together with corruption in government is further illustrated by the tragic number of murders of their reporters. Since 2005 there have been 32 murders of journalists in Mexico. These were brave correspondents who dared to report the truth regarding Mexico's levels of crime and corruption.

A few years ago, I talked to several construction workers who made regular trips to Baja California (just north of Ensenada, Mexico) to surf. They have discontinued these trips as vehicle burglary along the beach; robberies and car thief are so out of control that it has become impossible to park a car there. It is not uncommon for tourists to be stopped on the road by Mexican police who will cancel their ticket in exchange for cash.

This crime dominated culture in Mexico makes it more important than ever for Americans to secure our own border by building a wall. The drug, arms and human trafficking as well are completely out of control. Citizens need to understand this issue and support like-minded political leaders. They need to make their voices heard and stand against politicians who support 'open borders.' Call your local U.S. Congressman and U.S. Senator offices and express yourself. The phone number is: (202) 224-3121.

© James Lambert