It’s disheartening to learn of unsavory happenings that transpire in the normally placid and glorious lakeshore region.

Unfortunately, some disturbing occurrences that have come to my attention of late do merit some words of warning to Guadalajara Reporter readers and friends of theirs who may not consult these pages.

A couple of weeks ago I learned that a prominent Ajijic restaurateur had been targeted by auto thieves. The criminals broke into his place of business, snatched his car keys and made off with a high-value SUV that was locked up in a theoretically secure parking lot. And I have found out through social media about a number of other car thefts reported elsewhere in this community over the past several months.

This week I picked up an email message from a long-time expat resident who reported her car was vandalized in the Centro Laguna parking lot while she was busy doing a quick business errand there. Her spanking new spare tire was ripped off the back of the vehicle, its metal covering shredded in the process.  She says indifferent security guards told her they saw nothing amiss. Acquaintances commented that sort of thing happens with alarming frequency at that particular spot and other shopping centers.

On Wednesday, while rushing on a shopping jaunt to the weekly tianguis market, I spotted a distressed foreigner talking with several police officers. From a Facebook posting I came upon a bit later I surmised that a pickpocket had lifted the wallet tucked away in her backpack.

All this seems like small potatoes compared to the horrendous Valentine’s Day massacre of 17 high students in Parkland, Florida. We can be thankful that such random acts of violence against the innocent are uncommon in our part of the world.

Still, folks hereabouts are subject petty crime. Foreigners, especially those on the far side of middle age, make for easy targets. We are prone to distractions. We may forget to exercise ordinary safety precautions.   

Contrary to some common misconceptions, this newspaper has no compunction about reporting on crimes that happen in our surroundings. We are not beholden to advertisers to paint a rosier picture of everyday reality. Sometimes, however, we miss pertinent news on the crime topics.

Although I make it a practice to check in at the local police department from time to time to pry out information, it doesn’t work both ways. Local officials have a tendency to keep bad news under wraps.

So I’m making a plea for fellow citizens to reach out and feed me material that might be helpful in keeping our community safe and tranquil. Feel free to drop a line to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Expect there will be follow-up. Do keep in mind the following:

For ethics, this newspaper doesn’t run news stories based on hearsay. Our policy is to get reliable information from first-hand accounts and/or verification from official sources. And we never publish the names of victims without their explicit consent.

Please keep all senses alert to potential dangers. Otherwise, live well and stay happy.