Experts say you should be careful if you head across border
It’s almost that time of year. Spring Break is right around the corner, and if you have kids getting ready to go to Mexico on vacation, you might want to pay attention.
The Austin based intelligence company Startfor says Mexico, because of its problems with drug cartels remains a very violent country. Danny Coulson, former Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, knows firsthand about the problems, especially in border towns.
“We work there and we tell people not to go there. It’s very unsafe. There are parts of Mexico that are perfectly safe, but until they clean up the border towns, people have to be very careful,” Coulson explained.
Coulson, continued, “There is a tremendous amount of violent crime there which is influenced by the drug cartel near Acapulco.”
A safer alternative would be South Padre Island. Mayor Bob Pinkerton told KTRH his city is becoming a more popular destination.
“Our Spring Breaks have become more popular,” Pinkerton said.
Pinkerton believes cost and safety are big reasons why people are flocking to his city for vacation.
“The safety is unquestionably better here. I also think kids from Texas universities do better with cost just to drive down here and have a good time,” Pinkerton explained.
Texas DPS has warned against going to Mexico for the last couple of years. They did not issue a warning this year but say that their stance has not changed.
Closer to home: Increased patrols
And if your kid isn't going anywhere for spring break, but plans to party, you might want to give them an extra warning about drinking and driving; because Texas DPS is stepping up drunk driving checkpoints.
“We’ll be increasing patrols on the major traveled roads that lead in and out of Houston and the surrounding areas,” said Texas DPS Trooper Richard Standifer.
Standifer told KTRH they want people to have a good time but be responsible, too.
“It’s never our objective to impede the young citizens of Texas from enjoying their time off. But we don’t want them to start drinking and inadvertently making a bad decision to get behind the wheel of a car,” Standifer explained.
Standifer says Harris County sees an uptick in DWI arrests every year at Spring Break time.
