Is this True?????

[ian.morgan]

I heard from many people who told me that Guanajuato condition have seen raised stages of criminal activity. Not particularly criminal offenses similar with the enemy activities further northern, but serious however. Any comments please.

[peddler665]

I may be naive ( think not) but in my short visit last March I felt as safe in Guanajuato as any city I have been in anywhere.
Staying a month this season so will know more after that.

[Clemens]

It is true, crime has increased markedly since last year. No need to be afraid, just careful. I had it confirmed by talking to several policemen. Good news is also that Guanajuato does not yet have any heavy drug crime. Mostly muggings and break-ins but also a recent kidnapping (of a local miner at the Calderones village 2 miles from Centro, he was released for a ransom of 200.000 pesos), rape of an 8 year school girl in a callejon a week ago close to the University (rapist got caught and beat up badly by a witness, he is in prison now). Bigger streets during the day should be no problem generally. The policeman said avoid callejones after dark. There are two gangs who have bad ongoing fighting, members between 14 and 25 years of age. Foreigners are not targets, but be careful between Dos Rios and lower San Javier side streets (gang members have been murdered this year), Cerro los Leones (I have personally been attacked there in the evening on Panoramica , but nothing too bad happened). Keep a distance to young guys drinking in these areas. The police also said in September 2012 "Good news is that we caught a couple of street robbers lately, the last 5 days we did not have any reports of muggings".

The police have just made an "honesty / corruption test". Many got fired in Guanajuato, as of October only 30 local police men remains patrolling the streets (for Cervantino they have support from Leon).

[cam00]

There are more thefts occurring here, car beak-ins, house break-ins and callejon robberies and attacks then other years. Never leave valuables in cars, including music players if valuable. Never carry valuables, including jewelry on side streets or callejons. Try not to park vehicles in tunnels, where they are especially vulnerable to auto theft and break-ins. Wiomen of any age, especially, should be very cautious at nite when walking on side streets and callejons, and NEVER in tunnels EVER by yourself. Also, carry pepper spray and have it close at hand. Think beforehand what you would and could do if confronted or attacked, and rehearse it until it becomes second-nature to you. In initial very assertive response ( screaming intensely, spraying pepper spray at the assailant in the face and kicking HARD in the balls) has been shown to be very effective at repelling attacks. NEVER attempt any dangerous move if your assailant has a knife or gun, as your life is the MOST IMPORTANT thing to consider at that point.