In late 2018, the Municipal Police Department (. ) I lived on my own for almost a year before moving in with my boyfriend, who was born and raised in Nogales, Sonora. "Having a crown done, usually you have to wait a week or two and then come back," McFaul said. These legitimate checkpoints have adequate markings, are located on major … Municipal Police (Policia Municipal): They mainly patrol and conduct crime prevention. I am curious as to where you got your information from about Nogales. Is it safe to visit and any tips when visiting this city? Most crimes in Nogales are armed robbery, assault, and burglary, also the city suffers from homicide, vehicle theft, home invasion, and rape. Was never asked for insurance or anything. External links to other internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. There are no trees to hide you in an emergency. With an extremely unpredictable flashpoint, protests could border potentially affect operations and traveler passage through ports of entry with little to no warning. The Cruz Roja de Mexico (Red Cross) also provides ambulance service. The Sinaloa cartel has infiltrated many levels of society in Nogales. Police response to emergencies in Nogales is generally timely; however, in other cities in the consular district, the response time may not be as quick. It’s rumored that the town is under the control of the Sinaloa Cartel and the famous narco El Chapo, who has actually managed to control violence in the area to some degree. No area of Nogales is immune from violent crime. The Nogales Country Council is active and meets quarterly. Find affordable high-quality dentists in Nogales, and a good excuse to hunt for some bargains while having your dental work done.. Nogales in Mexico is just over the US-Mexico border with Nogales in Arizona. Sonora State Police (Policia Estatal Investigadora, PEI): serves as the primary criminal investigative agency in the state. Nogales is an amazing town to visit. Although vehicle theft has dropped since 2014, it remains the most prevalent crime in the consular district. Protestors marched to show disapproval of the verdict. Is it Safe to Travel to Nogales? For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. otherwise distributing OSAC-derived information in a manner inconsistent with this policy may result in the discontinuation of OSAC support. The 65-year-old woman who tested positive in Nogales, Sonora, had traveled to Arizona and crossed back into Mexico on March 16, more than a week … Drug cartel-related (narco-related) violence continues to dominate as the motive behind many of the homicides and violent crimes in the Nogales district. Although common in other parts of Mexico, there were no reports of express kidnappings in Nogales in 2018. Outside of Office Hours, contact: (55) 5080 2000. Act accordingly. In 2018, intense gun battles and assassinations took place in Magdalena and Caborca. While this is an official head’s up, isn’t this good advice for any major city or … The violent crimes that do occur in this area generally happen after dark. However, the same security and safety concerns exist with those services as with the traditional taxis. The food is great, the people are amazing and you can have a lot of fun with the shopping. Don't flash with valuables and cash, keep an eye on your belongings and you'll be safe. In 2018, there were 82 homicides reported in Nogales. It will destroy their sewer or septic systems. The majority of cartel-related violence has occurred in other cities, such as Caborca, Magdalena, Altar, and Sonoyta. Sonora was the last state in Mexico to transition to this new judicial system. You can also rent a car with the purpose of crossing the border. Is Nogales safe in 2021? In 2017, there were 71 homicides reported in Nogales. In serious medical situations, drive across the border to Nogales, Arizona, and go to Holy Cross Hospital: 1171 W. Target Range Road, Nogales, AZ 85621, Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance. I have wonderful memories of a sleepy little coastal town called San Carlos. These demonstrations are generally orderly and comply with the police. Because many drivers may not have functioning headlights, and because the probability of crime increases after dark, avoid nighttime travel. Travel on highways can be dangerous, especially at night. It can experience rushing water up to three feet deep in places, making the street inaccessible. Special units exist to investigate federal crimes and conduct counter narcotics activities. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, with the exception of daytime travel within Baja California, between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D (during daylight hours and with prior Consulate authorization only). Visitors to the border region, including cities such as Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales, Reynosa, and Matamoros should remain alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times. The people are the same as in anywhere. As of Oct 07, 2019 there are travel warnings and regional advisories for Mexico; exercise a high degree of caution and avoid some areas. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Mexico at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime. A degree of narco-trafficking influence and complicity to criminal activity affects police force operations throughout Mexico. Accordingly, the routes out of Mexico and into the U.S. market have shifted to the land routes, including the two ports of entry in Nogales. If involved in a crime, local police may require you to visit their facility with the investigating officer to file a complaint or for further information. In 2007, military personnel began counter-drug cartel operations along the smuggling routes of both Mexican coasts. Travel throughout the city only during daylight hours. Flooding may sweep cars into deeper water, one of the most common dangers of the rainy season. - We will be in Tucson, and would have time to make a quick trip to Nogales. Nogales (Mexico) travel safety advice The US State Department has issued travel alerts to most of the border cities along the U.S. / Mexican border. The majority of narco-trafficking elements possess weapons of various size, including assault rifles, grenades, and belt-fed machine guns. Nogales (also Heroica Nogales) is a city of 185,000 people in Sonora on the United States-Mexico border.. While nearly all the violence has been between warring cartels, there have been innocent people caught in the crossfire. Because many drivers may not have functioning headlights, and because the probability of crime increases after dark, avoid nighttime travel. Outside of Mexico: 844-528-6611 Residential burglary in Nogales, to include in the more affluent neighborhoods, occurs often and is most common during the day and on weekends or holidays when houses are vacant. Freely available data from Mexico’s Executive Secretariat shows that Sonora was the seventh most dangerous state for homicides in 2020. Review OSAC’s Mexico-specific webpage for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Dial 911 to contact police anywhere in the Nogales Consular District. I would also sometimes stay at a hotel on the Mexican side of the border, again alone, with no issues. However, the area between El Periferico highway and Avenida Obregon is safer than the outlying suburban areas of the city. Safety can be a concern in some places. As long as you are not acting like an idiot (crazy drunk, fighting, etc) and you pay attention to your surroundings (like you should EVERYWHERE), you will not have any issues in Nogales. In Mexico, “look before you leap” isn’t just an expression, it’s a survival tip. The U.S. Consulate General in Nogales does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. Tecnologico is notorious for flooding. My friend has traveled alone this route many times over the years as a single woman. An excellent way to measure the safety of Nogales is to take a look at the violent crime figures of its home state: Sonora. There is no international airport. Although in 2018, the overall level of crime in Sonora increased, crime levels in all but one category in northern Sonora decreased. 2019 in Sonora, Mexico Officers with the Nogales Police Department in Arizona began redirecting Mexico-bound traffic at Crawford Street, several hundred yards north of the entrance to the DeConcini port of entry. The vast majority of firearms present in the consular district belong to Mexican law enforcement and military via legitimate means and narco-trafficking criminal elements via illegitimate means. Safe enough is correct. The document was compiled from various In 2018, police leadership and its command were eager to engage with their U.S. law enforcement counterparts and to obtain training and support in order to manage border populous security more effectively, and to contain and eliminate corruption. Also, you do not need a tourist visa to visit Nogales if you are going to stay within the “border zone”, which most tourists do. Overall, the number of kidnapping in Nogales and Sonora is very small when compared to other cities in Mexico, but remains an issue. Travel throughout the city only during daylight hours. Dial 911 for any medical emergency in the Nogales Consular District. Reported incidents of kidnapping increased slightly. Conducting periodic personnel background checks on employees is a very good practice. With the apprehension of ‘El Chapo” Guzman in 2016, a similar but less violent battle for control of the Nogales took place, resulting in 61 homicides for 2016. Manny Sanchez: Rocky Point/Puerto Penasco is Safe. Federal Police: Their primary function is highway patrolling and airport policing. However, the same security and safety concerns exist with those services as with the traditional taxis. It’s just 90 minutes to the border at Nogales, Mexico, and with the recent changes, traveling to Mexico with a dog has gotten even easier. No area of Nogales is immune from violent crime. Travelers will find more openness and acceptance in urban areas, and conservative stances in rural areas. But recently the criminals have increased their activity in the city. Click here to see their website. We are both careful to pay attention to our surroundings just as we would anywhere. Much of Mexico is safe for solo female travelers. Nogales district is quite unsafe so women traveling alone have a great risk of falling into an unpleasant situation where they can not fight back. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence. Explore proven sources on this subject prior to your visit to the city. Victims of these kidnappings include U.S. and Mexican citizens involved in the drug trade. In Nogales, Blvd. Most of all, enjoy your visit. Use inter-city toll highways (cuotas) whenever possible during daylight hours. The best hotels in Nogales AZ are near the West Mariposa border crossing, but only 15 minutes from parking downtown to cross the border on foot. The U.S. Consulate General in Nogales is located at Calle San José s/n Fraccionamiento los Alamos C. P. 84065 Nogales, Sonora and is open from … Quick Answer is: Much safer than the rest of México and much of the U.S. Let me put it this way…a large number of people think that most of Baja is much safer than most big cities in the U.S. Mexico is safe. Mexico 2020 Crime & Safety Report: Nogales This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Consulate in Nogales. for its entertainment. Pedestrians, to include small children, jaywalk often with disregard for personal safety. U.S. Department of State. Roads and sidewalks are in bad condition. Used to park my car in a fast-food parking lot and walk across. ONLY travel in daylight hours. Reconsider travel to the State of Sonora due to crime. Driving in Nogales requires vigilance, a defensive attitude, and Mexican insurance. Avoid walking after dark in Nogales. Flash floods leave many vehicles stalled in the middle of streets and intersections. There is minimal risk from terrorism in Nogales. Driving from Nogales is as safe as can be and I have never experienced even a hint of apprehension. Exercise caution around public buses, which often exhibit unsafe driving practices. open sources and (U) embassy reporting. DTOs look to steal heavy-duty pick-up trucks and SUVs, which they prize for their ability to carry heavy loads at high speed across difficult terrain. Be aware of your surroundings, don’t flash your fancy jewelry or open your wallet to expose your cash, etc., just as you should in ANY area you travel. Nogales is safe enough, but here, every foreigner is closely watched, as if under a magnifying glass. The drug cartels are murdering people in broad daylight and while you may not be the target there have been gun battles in very public places. Is It Safe to Travel in Sonora in 2020? Kidnapping for ransom is an established criminal activity in Mexico. The Nogales consular district is the northern part of the state of Sonora, extending 600 miles from Agua Prieta in eastern Sonora, to San Luis Rio Colorado in western Sonora, and about 60 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border. During heavy rainstorms, avoid driving and walking in flooded streets. There were no reports of violence or injury. Nogales’s proximity to the U.S. border and the abundance of inexpensive labor make it an efficient location for foreign companies to have manufacturing operations. Freely available data from Mexico’s Executive Secretariat shows that Sonora was the seventh most dangerous state for homicides in 2020. The Municipal Police Department (Policia Municipal) enforces legitimate DUI checkpoints within the Nogales city limits. U.S. visitors to the Nogales Consular District may contact the Consular American Citizens Section (ACS) at U.S Consulate General Nogales if they encounter problems with police. Additionally, the Cartel fights and Cartel and they try to avoid getting innocents, especially the tourists, involved. Locals stare at travelers, here you can only be treated like a wallet on your feet. In late 2018, the Municipal Police Department (Policia Municipal) began enforcing legitimate DUI checkpoints within city limits.