..it is SO much safer to live in the USA than in Colombia....

[doombug]

Mall guards aren't the most vigilant badge on the beat.

[papi]

LOL!!!!

[papi]

actually, the security in colombia is a hell of a lot more impressive than costa rica

[JamesDonut]

I think there is no argument from me that Colombia is far more dangerous than the USA overall.  However what makes it  even more dangerous for us gringos, is that we don't know the area and culture.  That is something that has to be taken into account.  The locals there however know when and where to go without getting in trouble.   

On another note I laugh when people talk about how dangerous LA is.  I grew up there so I know when and where to go without getting into trouble.  Yes you could just have crappy luck and be in a bad spot.  But knowing the area will reduce most of the risk.   

[daytrader]

I'll take parts of Bogota and Cali over Baltimore & Philly! 

DayTrader


Desperate' plan to slow crime
Council bill would put areas of city under enforcement some liken to martial law
By John Fritze
Sun reporter
Originally published May 17, 2007
Large swaths of Baltimore could be declared emergency areas subject to heightened police enforcement - including a lockdown of streets - under a city councilman's proposal that aims to slow the city's climbing homicide count.

The legislation - which met with a lukewarm response from Mayor Sheila Dixon's administration yesterday, and which others likened to martial law - would allow police to close liquor stores and bars, limit the number of people on city sidewalks and halt traffic in areas declared "public safety act zones." It comes as the number of homicides in Baltimore reached 108, up from 98 at the same time last year.

"Desperate measures are needed when we're in desperate situations," said City Council Vice President Robert W. Curran, the bill's author. "What I'm trying to do is give the mayor additional tools."

Provisions of the bill are identical to a law in Philadelphia that recently gained attention when a mayoral candidate and former city councilman proposed relying more aggressively on the code. That candidate, Michael Nutter, won the Democratic nomination for mayor Tuesday.


Link for the entire article below:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.md.ci.emergency17may17,0,620067.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

[utopiacowboy]

Actually any Colombian city would be happy to have the same homicide numbers as Philly or Baltimore. Even though they are about the same size, Medellin has more than twice as many homicides as Philadelphia.

[Frank Rizzo]

But Jez, UTC if I had to live in Baltimore, I think i'd be asking people to shoot me. You have to factor that in.jajajaja

[daytrader]

Actually any Colombian city would be happy to have the same homicide numbers as Philly or Baltimore. Even though they are about the same size, Medellin has more than twice as many homicides as Philadelphia.

....and very, very few involve gringos or Western Europeans, right? The violent crime in the major Colombian cities is hispanic on hispanic.  Therefore the 'crime rate' in Med, Cali, or Bogota not a major differentiating factor vs an American major city, where caucasians are actually 'targeted' for being a victim of crimes many major American cities.  Detroit (where I grew up and knew of frequent black on white crime) is basically depopulated of caucasians, as well as Oakland, CA and major sections of Miami (where I am near now).     

To those contemplating a trip to Cali, use your head (such as don't drive alone at night) but don't live in fear as long as you are near major residential and shopping centers.  Avoid being around bus terminals and police stations at all times.   Enjoy the latin culture and ambiance, always avoid ATM machines out in the open. 

Costa Rica and Mexico are experiencing wave after wave of kidnappings/carjackings of westerners around tourist centers, which is unheard of in recent times in Colombia (save for some journalists and foreign anti-drug personnel). 

Many urban areas  of the USA are continuing to slide into 3rd World status as you read this. 

DayTrader

[utopiacowboy]

But Jez, UTC if I had to live in Baltimore, I think i'd be asking people to shoot me. You have to factor that in.jajajaja

Good point, Senor. Reminds me of the WC Fields digs at Philly:
"I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday."
"Last week I went to Philadelphia, but it was closed."