I was wondering if anyone has been down in the last few days, and if so, have you noticed any changes in TJ given the problems of late?

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN08544182

Thanks

Things are not as bad as they sound in the article.  But they are not good if you are in that line of work (ie drug dealer or cop).  As far as hobbying and the tourist areas, they are not affected.  Its when you venture further in country that you should worry.  The biggest danger is getting caught in the middle of something.  I for one don't think its worth crossing the border for some tail.  I'd rather take my chances on American soil.

My second home is in Tijuana, and I'm there several days a week .  Mongering in Tijuana is very safe--much safer than in the US.

The US media does a very poor job of covering/understanding/explaining what happens in Tijuana.  The collapse of the Arellano Felix cartel created a power vacuum and for the past couple of years various other cartels have been fighting for suprimacy.  (The Mexican gov’t is now fightening the cartels.  It makes great headlines, but what is happening is very distorted in the US press.)

The violance is not random, rather it is “organized.”  If you are a narcotraficante or a policeman hired to help the drug lords you have lots to worry about.  If you aren’t part of the drug trade your chances of having problems are slim to none.  

Those who think they might get caught in the middle of something really don’t understand the situation.  I’ll buy a bucket of beer for the first man who can provide me a single bonafide example of a monger getting hurt because he was caught in the middle of something related to drug cartel violance.  It just doesn’t happen.

from the US consulate, and from relatives and press, about people kidnapped and held for ransom apparantely for money alone.

Usually the kidnaps for ransom are a person in business locally, but often enough a US citizen.

Heard of some recent cases of strong-arm robberies aimed at vehicle campers.  Then of course there's the cop shake-downs, which I once witnessed.  

I think a lot of it may be avoidable, ie if you don't look like an American (US license plates on a nice car).

But violence by its nature is hard to control.  US authorities are leery of cooperating with Mexican authorities because they have too much sense that the Mexican authorities are too close to the bad guys.