When classes end today, Spring Break begins for a majority of students in the Rio Grande Valley. Warm, dry weather forecasts likely will inspire many to head to South Padre Island and other public venues, where throngs of other revelers from schools across the country will join them.
Youthful hubris usually overrides any thoughts of risks associated with such vacations and mixing with thousands of youthful strangers. Many students and many more parents, however, might engage in the traditional hand-wringing over just how safe they might be frolicking on the beach or in the Gulf of Mexico, or even crossing into Mexican cities right across the border. Recent events might raise more concerns than normal this year.
Fortunately, it appears that risks this year likely won’t be out of line with normal Spring Break threats.
Despite our position on the Mexican border and heightened activity by immigration enforcement officers nationwide, their presence in the Valley, which always has been evident, doesn’t seem unusual in numbers or in forcefulness. Local and state officials always step up enforcement at this time, but probably won’t meet levels that most people might consider a surge.
As in other years, however, the additional patrols should remind people to follow the law, and common sense, with regard to public behavior. Alcohol is popular during these breaks, and partyers should remember the dangers associated with driving after drinking. This doesn’t just mean taking care not to take the wheel after a few drinks, but also monitoring friends’ activities and keeping them from driving and being especially alert for other drivers who might have had a few too many.
Alcohol and other substances don’t only add to risks on the road; they can affect the behavior of some people at the beach or other public places. Everyone should use caution around others, be wary of those who appear to behave irrationally and try to avoid or defuse any confrontations.
Many spring breakers and other vacationers like to cross over into Mexico to party, pick up a few curios or even get some quick, inexpensive medical or dental attention. This year, U.S. travel advisories about visiting Mexico were amplified after drug cartels’ violent response to the Feb. 22 killing of Jalisco kingpin Nemesio Ruben “Mencho” Osequera Cervantes. Fortunately, that response was short and the Mexican government already is stepping up its police and military presence, primarily in preparation for the FIFA World Cup tournament that begins in June in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Officials are doing everything they can to protect the public during Spring Break. Residents and visitors should remember, however, that isolated incidents and hazards always are possible. There don’t appear to be reasons to fear unusual activity or threats this year, but people, as always, should be alert and cautious to help ensure that this year’s revelry will produce lasting, positive memories.
May our local residents welcome our annual visitors, and join them in letting off a little steam and recharging the bodies’ batteries to prepare for the remainder of the school semester.
The post Editorial: Students shouldn’t face unusual risks this year during Spring Break visit appeared first on MyRGV.com.