DPS urges spring breakers: Avoid Mexico

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging all Texas spring breakers to avoid traveling to border cities in Mexico like Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Nogales, Matamoros, Reynosa and Monterrey.

Ciudad Juarez is often considered the most dangerous city in the world. Tijuana is rated No. 4 in that list.

"There is an increase in Mexican drug cartel-related violence in the Northern Mexican border cities," DPS director Steven McCraw said. "Parents should not allow their children to visit these Mexican cities because their safety cannot be guaranteed."

Assaults, murders and kidnappings are just some of the issues spring break travelers could encounter, according to the state department. Bystanders have been injured or killed in violent attacks in cities across Mexico, demonstrating the heightened risk of violence in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens living in Mexico have been kidnapped and most of their cases remain unsolved.

Mexican authorities report that more than 2,600 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2009. Additionally, this city of 1.3 million people experienced more than 16,000 car thefts and 1,900 carjackings in 2009. U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours, and remain alert to news reports.

If you already have plans to travel to Mexico, state department officials encourage you to stay on main roads and to not display expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items. There are many things to know before you go to Mexico, and guides like this one can be really useful to read before you travel.

When driving towards the border, DPS warned they will have extra troopers on patrol looking for DWIs, seatbelt violators and speeders.

"We want spring break to be memorable, but in a good way," said David Baker, assistant director, Texas Highway Patrol. "You don't want to get arrested for DWI, receive a ticket or be injured somehow because you were irresponsible. Have fun, but please be safe."

This is the first time that DPS has issued such a warning.

"In the past, we've said 'if you go, please be careful, be aware of your surroundings,' kind of basic personal security," said Tela Mange with DPS. "But, as we have seen, the events that are starting to unfold over in the border cities in Mexico, we are very concerned about the safty of the spring breakers because it's possible they could get over there, and we won't be able to go get them out if something happens. We're very concerned. We want to make sure people going to spring break along to Texas border that they understand that their safety could be in jeopardy if they go across the border."