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In the past, the Department of Public Safety merely issued cautions about being aware of one’s surroundings, and not taking any unnecessary risks while in Mexican border towns. But Tela Mange with the DPS says with the increase in violence along the border, teenagers should forget about slipping into Mexico to enjoy the lower drinking age.
“And the problem with that, of course, is that alcohol impairs judgment. So if things start deteriorating in that town when they’re there, they may not have the skills at that point to cope to try to get themselves to safety.”
Mange points out that police in Texas cannot rush into Mexico to save any Americans who find themselves in harm’s way. Although the DPS is warning against travel across the border, it still considers places like South Padre Island and Brownsville to be safe for travelers during spring break.
