The U.S. Consulate recently issued a warning to Americans traveling into Baja. For good reason, it’s gone insane south of the border. I have included a link so you can see what the State Department says about current conditions. It is not the run-of-the-mill insanity we have seen come and go for years. This time it’s for real. And that’s why the I-Team sent a crew into Baja to bring back the story about what life is like in what amounts to a war zone. Watch the story Reporter Steve Atkinson and photojournalist Michael Gonzalez have bought back for 10News at 11p.m. Thursday night.

For political reasons, people on both sides of the border dance around what is really happening now. Here is the straight scoop: For years corruption has spread its cancer through the region and along the border to Texas. As you may know, it goes up and down the entire food chain -- from high-ranking politicians to low-level cops. They have their hands out, looking for a pay-off. Now the cancer is pervasive and is resistant to efforts to eradicate it. What I am hearing from American law enforcement sources is encouraging and scary. The people of Baja have a new governor; Tijuana has a new mayor and a new police chief. These men are, I’m told, straight shooters. I hope the new players are honest and intent on cleaning this mess up. And I hope the governor, mayor or police chief don’t get taken out like other reformers have.



It’s a lethal cocktail. Start with the narco gangs fighting for power since the reduced control of the Arrellano-Felix cartel, then mix in a government apparently fed up with the violence and mayhem and what you get is the violence you see playing out. Add to this the growing number of thugs who have discovered the lucrative kidnapping trade and what you have are scary levels of violence. Some tourism officials claim things are getting better, saying safety has been beefed up but I think the jury is still out. I understand why they are making these claims, it’s their job. But I’m just not buying the claims, not now anyway.



The people being hurt are the average citizens, the innocent victims of gunfire, those who depend on tourist dollars or just someone who wants to live in a place that is safe and sane. Then there are the San Diegans who love Baja. They are victims too.



In my job I have had a chance to see the good and bad of Baja. The good is something special—a unique place blessed with spectacular landscapes and wonderful, caring people. The bad is just unbelievable at times.

And what you have now is a classic example of Good vs. Evil, played out everyday in the streets of Tijuana, Rosarito Beach and places in between.



Stay tuned, this story is still unfolding. And be sure to watch Reporter Atkinson’s story tonight, it’s excellent.

jwblog@10news.com