Flying Samaritans Arizona, Tucson Chapter

Flying Samaritans Statement on Security in Mexico

The Flying Samaritans Arizona (FSA) has an unblemished record of safety when it comes to security in Mexico. Nonetheless, media reports of security issues in Mexico make personal safety an understandable topic of interest to our volunteers and potential volunteers. Despite media reports, almost all Americans and other foreigners still travel safely in Mexico.

A number of factors make for our success in safety in Mexico:
    1. FSA serves clinics that are remote from areas where unusual violence has occurred.
    2. Criminal violence rarely involves tourists.
    3. FSA flights to its clinics largely fly over border areas and other areas with higher rates of criminal violence.
    4. FSA has long established community ties with the villages and towns served.
    5. The relatively small communities the FSA serves have low crime rates.
    6. FSA clinics are focused on clinic activities and do not expose volunteers to risky situations.
    7. FSA veterans have lots of experience running the clinics.

Flying Samaritans Arizona clinics are in El Rosario, BCN, Laguna San Ignacio, BCS, and Lopez Mateos, BCS. Baja California (with the exception of the border city of Tijuana) has remained relatively free of unusual violence.

FSA’s ties with its host communities are close and long standing. In the case of El Rosario, the Flying Samaritans have served the community since 1961.

Our air routes bypass the border areas, which bypass the border areas. Our Phoenix Chapter flies through Guaymas and Mulegé. Our Tucson Chapter flies through San Felipe. All these towns are far away from Mexico’s border. Only our University of Arizona Chapter operates in the border town of Agua Prieta, Sonora.

FSA trips concentrate on the business of the clinics. FSA has built and maintains its own clinics, and owns and operates its own vehicles in Mexico. Trips go from the U.S. to the airport to the clinic to the hotel and back. Although opportunities exist to spend more time on other activities should a volunteer wish, most volunteers focus on the business of the clinics.

FSA coordinators have years of experience running FSA’s clinics. We know the environment and how to navigate it. Ultimately the decision to travel to Mexico is personal to you. The best source of information generally is the United States State Department and its web site. FSA is proud of its safety record in Mexico, and makes every effort to provide a safe and fun experience for our volunteers.

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Maintained by: Carl Foster

Updated April 7, 2014