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Cozumel News February 24^th, 2017: Cozumel 7-11 Suspended, Cutting Wood Illegal in Cozumel, and Cozumel UNIPER gets an Application. In Aurita’s Cozumel Corner, Come on Over to My House, Cozumel Carnaval 2017 Schedule, and Crime in Cozumel.

Cozumel Seven-Eleven Suspended

February 22:  The Federal Commission for the Protection of Sanitary Risks arrived to the island to suspend the Seven-Eleven convenience store located in the center of the island.

The suspension is very suspicious and is being questioned as the possible practice of corruption. The stamps displayed on the premises are from the previous administration and their authenticity is questionable.

Somewhat strange situation since the stamps that placed the verifiers of this dependency are those used by the past state administration, then here it would be necessary for the Comptroller to verify why they continue to use them, in addition to their authenticity since it could continue practicing old practices of corruption.

Cutting Wood Illegal in Cozumel

Staff of the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) reported that there is no authorization exists to cut timber in Cozumel. However, it is common to see trucks, tricycles, and other vehicles laden with wood. In fact, there are entrepreneurs on the island openly marketing the illegal wood cut from the jungles to restaurants, bakeries, and even private homes.

On a recent visit to the island CONAFOR Director Rafael Leon Negrete confirmed that harvesting lumber is illegal on the island and requested that citizens file complaints against the offenders with The Office for Environmental Protection.

Cozumel Uniper Gets App!

UNIPER has developed what is to be a country-wide application for smart phones. The Cozumel application has been activated and allows users to know the routes, waiting time, and other information for the eight public transportation routes on the island.

To use, go to the application store of your mobile device and in the browser type in “Uniper Cozumel.” Installation is fast and simple, I just downloaded the application in my cell phone as I started this article. It is so neat!!! I saw a tutorial, which as all my other endeavors I skip until I have a problem. It shows where I am and a route with the location of two vehicles!

I understand that when I click on a bus, it will also tell me what type of services it offers such as Wi-Fi or Air Conditioning. Cozumel is the first to have a service of this type in the country. I am going to get on this bus after Carnaval is over and let my readers know more about public transportation in Cozumel if all goes well!

Aurita’s Cozumel Corner

Come on Over to My House!

It is Carnaval Time on the island. Tomorrow Saturday the 25^th and on Tuesday the 28^th at 4 p.m. we will have a Carnaval Comedy Troupe of some sort perform in front of our home and also businesses. This is my first experience doing this, we were late with the preparation, announcement, and I did not realize it was a parody troupe until it was too late to change. This will be fine for the locals and those of you that have knowledge of Spanish. If it is what I think it is, you might not enjoy it so much if you only speak English. But come by the house anyway! It will give us a chance to meet, and talk and I will provide refreshments. Bring a chair to sit on, we will be out on the sidewalk. #1081 35 Avenida Sur Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis.

Crime in Cozumel

I had breakfast with a friend that was expressing his concern about that lack of reporting of crime on the island by the media. I reminded him that I am not one of those people. I annually do a piece on crime in general and being safe. As concerns come up that affect my readers living or visiting the island I also report immediately.

Since the sole income of the island is tourism, the fear of causing a panic that will run off the tourists affect what is reported or not reported on the island. Advertisers tend to not want to purchase their advertising from a publication that might lose them some business by scaring off their customers.

Social Media Chat pages are monitored and the first sign of a negative comment or issue is quickly deleted and readers are many times threatened with removal from the groups.

After having said all that, I want to once again report that things are still dangerous in Playa and Cancun with violence affecting only the local population. A cab driver, a woman, was assassinated in front of her children in Playa this week. She was the fourth cab driver murdered this year. I half-heartedly read the news from the mainland, my concern is here on the island.

We have had two tourist couples in the last two month robbed in broad day light. The culprits were youths riding a motorcycle.  After the second robbery people were arrested, and security has been visibly beefed up. There was a time in Cozumel that this was unheard of.

This does not help those of you living in the Colonies. We are short on Municipal Police; we are short of Patrols in the colonies. I used to see a patrol vehicle drive by my home a number of times every night. Now weeks go by without seeing one patrol vehicle drive by.

The response time is less than acceptable, and petty crimes, car and motorcycle thefts, and home robberies are on the rise. For quite a while purse, (bags & backpack) thefts have been conducted by two people on a motorcycle that drive by, grab your bag, purse, backpack, etc. and keep on going. A number of people have been injured.

I see videos on the social media of thefts and robberies in the local stores caught on camera in broad day light. These youths are seldom apprehended and when they are, they manage to get quickly released to recommit the crimes. Most of these crimes point to juvenile delinquents.

Locals fed up with the lack of protection are arming themselves and have been vocal in promoting vigilante activities and neighborhood watches.

What to do? Lock everything up (your home, vehicle, etc.), get a dog or security alarm system, do not flaunt expensive jewelry and items, do not carry your valuables around with you in something that can be grabbed, make copies of all your important documents. Women, travel in groups, carry maze or a bottle of ammonia or anything else that you can spray in an attacker’s eyes. Do not do something here that you do not do back home!!!

Note, the things that I have listed above are common sense things that I did back home in Minnesota. Cozumel is still safer than most places that I have lived in in the United States, and definitely, one of the safest places to live if not the safest in Mexico. But get real people, times are changing everywhere. There are good and bad people everywhere. The biggest crimes we have had here have been people that come by the ferry from across the channel. Authorities have no way of identifying them or stopping them.

Enjoy paradise, but do it the smart way, use common sense to stay safe!

Cozumel Worship Services in English

I need reader input on additional church services. Bad news for our Catholic readers, the Priest that spoke English at San Miguel got transferred. I will make some inquiries as to how to get another English speaking Priest on the island, but in the meantime, no Mass in English.

Most of us that live here have the information important to us at our fingertips, it is very important to share with those that do not have access to the information. but visitors really need our help. Please help us help them!

Ebenezer Presbyterian Church
30th Ave. at 10th Street North
Services in English every Sundays at    9 a.m.

Jesus es Rey Bible Church
Corner of Ave. 95 y Calle 39.
Services in English will be at 10 a.m.

Chabad of Cozumel
5th Avenue between Juarez and first
Second Floor PLAZA DEL SOL close to the San Miguel Pier
US Phone +1 (305) 432-2406 or +1 (770) 666-5428
Mexico Cell Phone: +521 (987) 111-9715 or +521 (987) 117-9518
Kabbalat Shabbat Friday night: Sunset

Is your place of worship not listed? Please contact me with the information!

Island Tour at Your Leisure Mexico: 987-800-8676 U.S.: 949-459-3802

The Cozumel Sun Garage Sale

The Sun Garage Sale, formerly known as “The On-Going Garage Sale” was started as a means to collect gently used clothing and goods to be donated to the poor and/or sold at low cost to raise funds for our many projects in Las Fincas and our immediate neighborhood.

We have donated or sold the majority of the second hand clothing and articles we collected in 2016. Our garage sales will resume again next month, and need your donations. Please consider dropping off the items you no longer use or need at our home/store #1081 35 Avenida between Calles 17 & 15 Bis. You can also call at 987-118-4453 or 987-120-5902 to arrange a pick up at your home. All Clothing, Housewares, Furniture, Appliances, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Your donations or proceeds from your donations are guaranteed to go towards a family in need or to a good cause. A special Thank you to Ron & Tina Mannes, Kathy McGinn, and other contributors for their generosity. 

Papelería Mama Lilly

School and Office supplies, copies, printing, laminating,
scanning, and binding. Gifts and Novelty Items. Computer Access,
Calls to Mexico, U.S, and Canada. We provide Facturas, and
deliver to your home, business, or office.

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE!

We Speak English!
Telephone:   987-120-5903
EMAIL: mapapeleria@outlook.com
06:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
08:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday
08:00 a.m. – 09:30 a.m. Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 09:00 p.m. Sunday
https://www.facebook.com/papeleriamamalilly/
35 Avenida Sur Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis
Colonia Independencia (Near the Independencia Sports Center)

Cozumel Ladies Breakfast

Our group meets every Wednesday.

The Cozumel Ladies Breakfast March 1, 8 & 15 will meet at La Choza on Av 10 between Calle 3 and Salas on the left side of the road.  Not sure where all the parking lots are; but there is usually street parking south of the restaurant and you can walk a bit.

Pictured:   Breakfast at La Choza from our visits in December 2016.

In addition to meeting wonderful Ladies from all over the world, the breakfast club is an excellent source of information gathering and networking. Breakfasts are informative and FUN! All Women are welcome to join us, even if you are just visiting our beautiful Island.

If you wish to be placed on the mailing list, contact: Betty Li at cozumel.ladies.breakfast@gmail.com

Cozumel Emergency Numbers

Emergency                               911

24 Hour Doctor                         872-0103
Dentist                                      872-0808
Hyperbaric Chamber                872-0103
Hyperbaric Chamber                872-3070
Police                                        872-0092
Red Cross                                872-1058
Taxi Cab                                   872-0236
Taxi Cab                                   872-0041
U.S. Consulate                         872-4574
U.S Consulate                          872-6152
U.S. Consulate                         044- 987-121-0323

Please send me your Consulate’s Number if other than US!
Corrections? Additions? Please Let Me Know so I can share!