Safety in the RGV

[Dog_Trainer]

Please forgive me for stirring the pot here. We are new snowbirds having spent a part of last year in central Fl. and presently in Fl. until late march.
We were talking about what we might do next year and the RGV is a possibility. We mentioned this to some folks that had recently left Brownsville TX. and they stated that we had better be careful down there because there is a lot of crime. I know a lot of you spend your winters there and we are not even a little bit wimpy or afraid of things. I am prudent a do research where we will be going so I wonder how much weight to give to the safety issue in the RGV. One comment this person made was that the Walmart in Brownsville now had armed guards. Thanks for your input.

[Bea_PA]

Tom that is FL too, we always look to see if cars are stopped before we enter intersections. That said we own property in FL but until recently always stayed in the Vally every 3rd year and sometimes more often.. We never felt unsafe in the Mission area but always took the same precautions that we take here near Orlando.

[TomG2]

Some have talked about fences and armed guards. A real problem is the driving. When one of the criminals is on the run, which is quite often, they run stop signs, red lights, and anything else that might slow them down. You do not want to be in their way.

[joebedford]

Outside our RGV park is farmland - at the moment, corn (ready to harvest) and onions.

[John_Joey]

rockhillmanor wrote:
...snip...Question. Is the post about fences and barbed wire around the CG's in the RGV a tongue in cheek statement or true?

All you have to do is use Google maps at the street view level to see your park prior to making your reservation. You don't need to take my word or anyone's on this forum, you can check it out yourself.

Many RGV parks look so wonderful on their websites, only to be a disappointment when you look at the bordering areas.

Here is a CLICKY , I hope it works. If it does take a look at the top of the fence. You may need to zoom in to see it.

[Scottiemom]

rockhillmanor wrote:

TomG2 wrote:

Dog Trainer wrote:
...snip.......I am prudent a do research where we will be going so I wonder how much weight to give to the safety issue in the RGV. One comment this person made was that the Walmart in Brownsville now had armed guards. Thanks for your input.

The Walmart in Alamo, Texas has armed guards and I am glad that they do. Only you can decide if that makes you feel safe or not.

Armed guards?
:S

If any establishment needs armed guards, there is KNOWN serious crime problems. Why would ANYONE want to 'RV' to an area that has armed guards? :R

Question. Is the post about fences and barbed wire around the CG's in the RGV a tongue in cheek statement or true?

My folks have been down here every winter for almost 30 years. We have visited off/on during that time. We have had a place here the last 10. Many parks are gated, but I have yet to see barbed wire around any park.

Not saying that somewhere there might not be one, but I certainly haven't seen it in any of the parks we have visited. Most gates are open during the day, closed at night.

Dale

[DustyR]

WyoTraveler wrote:
Seems like just being aware of your surroundings is the most important. If I feel uncomfortable no matter what area I move on. I think it is mostly common sense. Walk into a walmart or any other store and see if it feels comfortable.

X2

I'm in my fourth season in the RGV and follow the advice that was given to me by a police man shortly after arriving here. USE the same caution here that you use in any major city and you will be safe. Progresso Mexico is okay to visit, not the other border areas.

I enjoy it here and hope to return/live here for many more enjoyable years.

[Geeze]

When we travel I watch to see if businesses have bars on the doors and windows. To me that is a pretty good indication of the crime in the area.

[joebedford]

My first business trip overseas in 1976 I was noticed that the gendarmes had automatics under those capes they wear; a few years later I was looking at something on the bottom shelf of the duty free at Harrod's in Heathrow and turned my head to the left - I was 6 inches from the barrel of the British equivalent of an M16 - soldiers patrolling during "the troubles"; in 2007 our hotel in Cairo swept all vehicles for bombs before letting them into the parking lot and all patrons had baggage and purses X-Ray'd; in Rio, our hotel had two guys with automatics at every entrance.

I really don't like guns but armed security at a Walmart doesn't bother me in the slightest. Otherwise, I'd never get out of bed. The last Walmart we overnighted at that had armed security was Savannah GA.

[Pop-Pop_C]

This is our fifth winter at the KOA SPI. Never had a problem. Was to the new Walmart yesterday ,
Saw no guards. . Never had a problem even during spring break. Tables, chairs, grills signs sitting out 24/7, never lost a thing!

[rockhillmanor]

...On the other hand, it could be that every adult male and female in Texas (and, Florida) are carrying concealed sidearms; so on any given day, any Walmart in Texas or Florida will have 2000+ armed shoppers, too 😛

X2

That is what I am starting to like about being in Florida!

Any shooter in any circumstance anywhere here in Floria? Won't have a snow balls chance in hell of pulling off another round. Heck I don't think he would even make it to pulling the trigger after he pulled it out! :B:W:B

[silversand]

There may be some misunderstanding and unnecessary fear at the mention of "armed guards". What I see are off duty cops who act as greeters but have their service weapons with them, "Just in case".

I know Tom G2 is widely traveled, and'll get a kick out of this:

...I don't think that most Americans and Canadians really know what real "armed guards" at shopping, bank and retails outlets means...

If you want to see seriously armed retail store and bank guards, visit Guatemala, Honduras, etc...where the "armed guards" outside many banks (and inside MacDonald's restaurants, among others) are regular Army (dressed in full battle fatigues, with Uzis and other automatic genres), and private security, carrying combat shotguns...the regular Army guards (with Uzi automatics) at the Guatemala banks I used to frequent also acted as "greeters"...

THAT is what I call "armed guards"... :B

On the other hand, it could be that every adult male and female in Texas (and, Florida) are carrying concealed sidearms; so on any given day, any Walmart in Texas or Florida will have 2000+ armed shoppers, too 😛

[TomG2]

There may be some misunderstanding and unnecessary fear at the mention of "armed guards". What I see are off duty cops who act as greeters but have their service weapons with them, "Just in case".

[rockhillmanor]

TomG2 wrote:

Dog Trainer wrote:
...snip.......I am prudent a do research where we will be going so I wonder how much weight to give to the safety issue in the RGV. One comment this person made was that the Walmart in Brownsville now had armed guards. Thanks for your input.

The Walmart in Alamo, Texas has armed guards and I am glad that they do. Only you can decide if that makes you feel safe or not.

Armed guards?
:S

If any establishment needs armed guards, there is KNOWN serious crime problems. Why would ANYONE want to 'RV' to an area that has armed guards? :R

Question. Is the post about fences and barbed wire around the CG's in the RGV a tongue in cheek statement or true?

[John_Joey]

her&I wrote:
When you pin point the RGV to talk about crime and violence, everyone tends to forget it is all around us. Here in Canada we had three separate gang related shootings in Toronto over the week end and a school shooting in Saskatchewan. This does in no way translate into "Do not travel into Canada because of the violence."

Here's a Clicky. There you will find some good graphs on thefts. Also good info on violent crime. Just scroll down.

Never felt in danger in the RGV, but I have come to my tow car looking like this:

[TomG2]

Not saying hi price equals good at all. Different places, different prices.