Security

United for a Safer Rosarito
 Articles, Rosarito, Security

A Safer Rosarito Begins with a Single Step

PLAYAS DE ROSARITO — This time, the police didn’t show up with flashing lights or handcuffs. Instead, they brought flyers, smiles, and a mission: to build trust with the community.

The State Citizen Security Secretariat (SSCBC) and Rosarito’s local police organized a march of recognition through the Real de Rosarito neighborhood. Their goal was simple—to bring safety information directly to families and strengthen the culture of prevention.

Walking the Talk

Officers from Baja’s Violet Squad joined local police and crime prevention staff for a neighborhood walk. Together, they visited homes and small businesses, greeting residents and sharing practical safety advice.

They encouraged people to use 911 for emergencies, 089 for anonymous reports, and the official mobile security apps. With these tools, residents can respond faster and feel more protected in their daily routines.

Building Awareness and Confidence

Moreover, the team focused on identifying the roots of violence rather than just reacting to it. They explained how to recognize early signs of abuse—physical, emotional, or financial—and where to seek help when needed.

“Safety begins with awareness,” said one officer. “When people understand the signs, they can protect themselves and their neighbors.”

During the walk, residents asked questions, voiced concerns, and shared personal experiences. As a result, the exchange turned into something more meaningful—a bridge of trust between locals and law enforcement.

Trust That Stays on the Streets

Because the SSCBC plans to continue these visits across other neighborhoods, this won’t be a one-time event. The idea is to stay close, listen often, and work hand in hand with residents. After all, a friendly conversation can go further than a patrol siren.

As one neighbor put it, “We’ve seen patrol cars drive by for years. This time, they stopped and talked. That’s new—and it matters.”

Through these actions, Rosarito is proving that prevention doesn’t just live in offices or press conferences. It lives in the streets, between people willing to look out for each other.

Real security isn’t about fear. It’s about connection, cooperation, and trust.

No Bad News.

0 411
Photos courtesy of Facebook users documenting the aftermath of the attacks.
 Articles, Ensenada, Security, Tijuana

Coordinated Attacks Rock Baja California Prosecutor’s Offices

Some nights in Baja California, the sirens are just background noise—an unholy lullaby. But on September 20, that lullaby turned into something harsher.

Armed groups hit the offices of the Fiscalía General del Estado (FGE) in both Tijuana and Ensenada. The attackers stormed the Ensenada branch around midday, firing at the building and setting vehicles ablaze. At the same time, at least two installations in Tijuana were struck. Four state facilities hit in near-synchrony—that’s not local anger, that’s choreography.

Security forces scrambled to lock down the sites. Guards now surround the buildings, patrols circle the blocks, and staff have been displaced while walls are patched and bullet holes filled. But the reinforcement feels like an admission: these buildings are vulnerable, and the people inside are targets.

Fiscalia Offices in Tijuana

Why the Fiscalía?

The Fiscalía is the state’s backbone for prosecutions, the symbol of law and justice. To take a swing at it is to shout: we’re not afraid of you. Attacking police or rival gangs is one thing. Attacking the prosecutors is another. It erodes the public’s already fragile confidence, reminding everyone that even the watchdog bleeds.

And let’s be blunt—when things are quiet, it often means there’s an understanding, spoken or not, between the Fiscalía and the people it’s supposed to be chasing. Calm can be camouflage. So when bullets suddenly rake across government walls, it may be a sign the deal fell apart, or that negotiations were never on the table.

This isn’t a first for Baja. The region has seen its share of blockades, arsons, and warnings from the U.S. Consulate telling staff to shelter in place. But there’s a line that many believed criminal groups would not cross: striking the state directly. That line is gone.

For those living here, expat or local, this is the new equation. Not just fear of stray violence, but the creeping sense that institutions themselves are fragile. It seeps into daily life—how you think about safety, insurance, business, even where you walk after dark.

They say violence speaks when silence fails. And so, just days after the attacks, the Fiscalía of Baja California announced three arrests tied to the bombings and arson at their offices.  The captures followed coordinated raids and a trove of field evidence, according to state officials.  These aren’t wild guesses: prosecutors say they now have “sufficient proof” to hold the suspects under investigation.  The message, unspoken but clear: retaliations exact consequences—if you want to hit the state, expect to be hit back.

0 1052
Governor and Military Commanders Map Baja’s Next Security Moves
 Articles, Security

Baja Wins Big with Record Meth Bust, $640M Lost

Meth Mountain Meets Its Match

Baja California just pulled off a drug bust that makes Netflix narco-dramas look tame. Between October 2024 and August 2025, authorities seized 20 tons of methamphetamine. Yes, tons—the kind you measure with cranes, not kitchen scales.

Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda announced the haul, proudly stating it dealt cartels a $640 million punch in the wallet. Moreover, officials said the losses are crippling enough to make cartel accountants weep.

A Big Jump in Numbers

According to Mexico’s Defense Ministry (SEDENA), the seizures represent a 382 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Consequently, authorities credit tighter coordination between federal, state, and local forces. For once, everyone played on the same team—and it showed.

Ensenada Bust Steals the Spotlight

One recent example made headlines: Defense forces and the National Guard stopped two vehicles near Ensenada. Inside, they discovered more than 3,600 kilograms of meth. As a result, cartels lost another $116 million.

For Ensenada residents, this means fewer shady deliveries speeding past vineyards. Instead, bottlenecks return to being about corks, not kilos.

Numbers that Matter

Ávila stressed these aren’t just statistics—they’re lives impacted. The government’s push aims to keep drugs off the streets, and the results already echo across Baja. In fact, in President Claudia Sheinbaum’s latest report, homicides dropped 25 percent nationwide. Meanwhile, Baja managed a sharper 36 percent decrease.

Sure, a single percentage point won’t earn you a taco discount. Nevertheless, these drops translate into quieter neighborhoods and fewer sirens interrupting carne asadas.

The Team Effort Angle

Ávila praised the combined strength of military, federal, and state forces. She framed it as proof that teamwork really does make the dream work—even in crime fighting. Additionally, she emphasized the mission remains clear: “tranquility and peace” for Baja families.

No Time to Relax

Despite the wins, the governor warned the state will not relax the fight. Instead, every available resource—human, technological, and probably caffeinated—will stay in play. Consequently, Baja’s message to organized crime is simple: don’t unpack those yachts just yet.

We’ve covered similar stories before, showing how Baja’s security strategy has moved from patchy crackdowns to coordinated efforts. Therefore, while skepticism remains, the numbers suggest the tide is shifting.

A Rare Kind of Good News

In a state often making headlines for crime stats, these figures feel refreshingly different. Indeed, the fight isn’t over. Still, Baja’s record seizures mark a small but solid victory.

And in a region where good news is as rare as free Nebbiolo at a wine festival, that’s worth raising a toast.

0 1000
Baja on Watch, But No Need to Panic
 Breaking News, International, Security, Video

Tsunami Advisory Hits Pacific—Baja on Watch, But No Need to Panic

Baja California México – July 29 and 30, 2025. A massive 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s east coast triggered tsunami alerts across the Pacific, including a Naval Tsunami Advisory (CAT‑SEMAR) for parts of Baja California. But here’s the real scoop: no evacuations, no panic—just a heads-up.

The advisory covers coastal areas from Ensenada down to Baja California Sur, including San Felipe, Playas de Rosarito, Tijuana, and San Quintín. According to CAT-SEMAR, wave heights are expected between 0.3 and 1.0 meters—that’s about knee-deep for most folks. It’s considered a sea surge, not a full-blown tsunami.

The U.S. National Weather Service also issued alerts for Hawai‘i and parts of Alaska, with Japan monitoring its Pacific coast. But again—no evacuations have been ordered anywhere in Mexico.

So, is this serious? Yes. Is it dangerous for Baja right now? Not likely. The Mexican Navy recommends staying off the beach, avoiding small boats, and watching for unusual sea activity between the afternoon and evening hours.

What Baja Residents Should Do

Action StepWhy It Matters
Stay away from beaches and waterfrontsEven small surges can generate dangerous currents
Follow official updates onlyAvoid panic from viral but inaccurate posts
Monitor port traffic announcementsCoordinated shifts may occur overnight
Be cautious of shipping or waves in harborsSudden sea movements could reach 1 m or more

What This Means for Baja Locals

While headlines sound dramatic, Baja’s coastal towns are used to nature putting on a show. Local emergency services are monitoring the situation. There’s no disruption to transportation, and all border crossings remain open.

If you’re in San Felipe, Rosarito, or along the Ensenada coast, it’s a good time to skip your paddleboard session—but don’t cancel dinner plans. Just keep your eyes on updates from Protección Civil, CAT‑SEMAR, or X (formerly Twitter) accounts from Baja’s civil defense agencies.

And don’t worry, Estero Beach is still standing—but maybe order that margarita a bit further from the shore today.

0 2312
 Baja Norte, Breaking News, Ensenada, Safety, Security, Transportation

Ensenada Makes Important Overhaul on Main but Beat-Up Highway

Dust off your patience—roadwork is back in town. The City of Ensenada just kicked off a major pavement rebuild on the Ensenada-Tecate highway, right between the El Sauzal traffic node and Emiliano Zapata Street. And yes, it’s going to slow you down—but there’s light at the end of the construction zone.

Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz says the project will tear up and replace over 5,200 square meters of crumbling roadway with tough-as-nails hydraulic concrete. It’s the kind of stuff that lasts—and at 25 centimeters thick, it’s built to take a beating from Baja’s relentless traffic and heat.

The price tag? A cool 8.8 million pesos, coming straight from the federal fund known as FORTAMUN—the Fund for Strengthening Municipalities. And while detours and traffic jams are guaranteed, the city insists it’ll be worth it once the pavement’s done and smooth sailing returns.

In the meantime, the mayor’s asking drivers to take it easy, drive carefully, and expect slowdowns. With heavy equipment, lane closures, and inevitable backups, she recommends giving yourself a little extra time to get where you’re going—and maybe leave the road rage at home.

While this stretch is under the knife, the city says the long-term payoff is fewer potholes, smoother drives, and better flow between Ensenada and Tecate. So next time you’re stuck behind a bulldozer in Sauzal, just remember: you’re helping build a better commute. Eventually.

Got somewhere to be? Either leave early or bring snacks. This road’s not going to fix itself overnight.

1 756
400 Specialized Agents Arrive to Reinforce Security in Tijuana
 Security, Tijuana

400 Federal Agents Arrive to Boost Security in Baja California

Their mission: strengthen public safety in high-risk neighborhoods.

This week, 400 specialized agents were deployed to Tijuana as part of Mexico’s National Security Strategy.

The operation targets areas like Lomas Taurinas, Sánchez Taboada, Otay, Terrazas del Valle, San Antonio de los Buenos, Camino Verde, Emperadores, and Downtown.

Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila announced the reinforcements as a response to growing concerns over crime. Additionally, she confirmed plans to expand the city’s surveillance network in the coming months.

“These efforts are meant to improve response times and increase police visibility where it’s needed most,” the governor stated.

However, not everyone is convinced.

The Baja California Lawyers Association (FEDABO) raised concerns, calling the move a “failed formula.” According to them, sending more federal agents without adjusting strategy has shown little long-term impact in the past.

Still, authorities insist this collaboration between state and federal forces is essential to restoring peace in Tijuana.

At the Gringo Gazette North, we’ll be watching this closely. After all, safety isn’t just a number—it’s what makes Baja feel like home.

400 Specialized Agents Arrive
400 Specialized Agents Arrive
2 1092