August 13, 2008
Playa Arena, Bahia Concepcion, Mulege, Baja California Sur

EVICTION - MEXICO STYLE

At least nine separate properties, torched and burnt to the ground - including Palapas, Ramadas, contents, vehicles, etc.

Photos

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Why? Who? Any other info.

Word on the street is that owner of the beach had a buyer for the entire beach property and that most of the many tenants on the beach had long-term, paid-up leases. Get the picture?

BOMBERO

quote:

Originally posted by Dorado:
August 13, 2008
Playa Arena, Bahia Concepcion, Mulege, Baja California Sur

EVICTION - MEXICO STYLE

At least nine separate properties, torched and burnt to the ground - including Palapas, Ramadas, contents, vehicles, etc.



Photos

.

Nearly 20 years of peaceful living at Playa Punta Arena, renting from Norma Fenech, formerly of Santa Rosalia, and now living in La Paz, and with security provided by Nacho Romo of Mulege, came to a violent, fiery end on August 12th when our palapa was criminally torched, along with every other palapa, travel trailers, boats, trailers, cars, propane refrigerators, solar systems, generators, fishing gear, waverunners, dune buggies, and 5th wheels. Each of our palapas was built by the homeowner, who rented their land from Norma Fenech.

We just negotiated a new rental increase for our lots in December 2006, at which time several of the homeowners spent thousands of dollars building new palapas, sombres, fences, banos, adding large pilas, etc. All of this was done following Norma Fenech's personal reassurance that the beach would not be sold for several years, and that there would be no further rent increases for at least 3 years.

By mid-May 2008 to early June 2008, each of us had closed up our palapas for the season and returned stateside. In mid to late June, Katyna Fenech, daughter of Norma Fenech, the beach owner, and also a resident of La Paz, began to telephone, email, or fax each owner, telling us that we had until July 15th to remove all of our belongings from our palapas, abandon our palapas, and get off the beach, because the beach had been sold. All of us had prepaid rents to Norma for several months and most through October, November, and December 2008, when we would return to the beach for the season. Returning to the beach only weeks after we had left was an impossibility, with many of us working until the fall. We hired La Paz attorney Bismark Ortega, who successfully represented Posada Concepcion homeowners in negotiating a new lease, and he met directly with the Fenech's in La Paz on our behalf. We made it clear that we were prepared to file suit in Santa Rosalia, if necessary, to assert our legal rights, and to deposit future rents with the Court instead of the Fenech's, until the suit was resolved. With threats that Norma Fenech would have Nacho Romo leave the beach on July 15th, leaving the beach with no security, we even arranged for our own security in his absence. When our new security arrived, we determined that Nacho was not leaving the beach. He said he was remaining through at least the end of October 2008, and Norma Fenech personally confirmed that he would remain.

By the end of July, with Nacho at his home at Punta Arena everyday, monitoring a gate entrance to the beach next to his home, every indication was that he would continue to provide security through the end of October as represented. Our new security left the beach after more than two weeks, and communications with Norma Fenech indicated that she would consider continued rental to us beyond 2008. Mr. Ortega, our attorney, also confirmed that there was no legal record of her being in contract to sell the beach property at this time.

On August 13th, we received word that all of our palapas had been torched to the ground. We immediatedly contacted Katyna Fenech by phone at her home in La Paz, and guess who was at her house: Nacho Romo, of Mulege, our beach security, employed by Norma Fenech! After removing his belongings, vehicles, dogs, wife, and personal belongings from his home at Playa Punta Arena, he traveled to La Paz on Tuesday, August 12th, leaving the beach unguarded. Norma has confirmed for years, that we were paying for security, because she provides no water or other services. How convenient that someone would know Nacho's schedule, know that no one else was at the beach, and torch every single palapa at Playa Punta Arena. Nothing was harmed at Naranjo, and the two new homes at Baja Illusions, at the other end of Playa Punta Arena, were not harmed. This was no propane leak accidental fire. Arson investigators have determined that each palapa was lit on fire in 3 or more locations. Green plants and trees between palapas were not burned. There was no strong wind. Even the stucco home of one of our neighbors, was set on fire from the inside. This was the work of arsonists. This is not how we planned to leave Playa Punta Arena. God Bless you and may the perpetrators, those who hired them, and those who enabled them, rot in Hell!

I know you have your own arson investigators but you might want to ask him what he thought was the fuel used. Some do flash back causing injory to the arsonists. Small town and one hospital. It may be that he/they came in for treatment. If so you will have a lead for a follow up and a suspect.

Just a thought and good luck.

Dave W

We lost everything in the fire. We lost our homes, autos, boats, gear, art, photo albums and FAITH!! How can anyone feel safe there? I never felt my safety was at risk, in the 36 years I've loved being at home in Baja, and especially Mulege. Bad people did a very bad thing, but where's the justice?

Please be on the look-out for 4 stolen 4 stroke outboards, and a KLM motorcycle, and a 2007 blue/white Yamaha Wave-Runner. Not only were there arsonists, but thieves at Playa Punta Arena that day our community was burned out. And by the way, I welcome any ideas on how to get some justice on the subject. According to Norma Feneche (our former lanlord) since we were Americans we have no rights, only rich Mexicans like her do. And the police do what she says. Normally I would disregard such hateful nonsense, but my own eyes saw the ridiculous ineptness of the Mulege Policia in their handeling of the investigation.

So how safe do you feel now?

Im only speaking for myself here:
I lived at Punta Arena as a child in the late 70's. Baja Patty was our neighbor, and my friend. Caretakers at the time were Raul and Jesusa. Our family has had a palapa there consecutively since 1978'ish. It's been my dad's primary residence since 87'ish, where we have visited and had family vacations over the years. I got my delapidated Palapa #7 in 2004, and have since invested approx. $27,000.00 US in improvements which were requirements of my lease agreement.
Norma has known me since I was 8 years old, and seemed to appreciate that I'd finally achieved my goal to have that same beach become my home again with my own children.
In Mid June '08 I received a phone call Katya Fenech stating that the beach had been sold, and that we had 6 days to remove all of our belongings, we were told we could be re-imbursed the months of rents we had prepaid on our leases, and given no other option. I asked for contact info. on the purchaser in hopes to negotiate for a more reasonable time to remove my belongings, and was denied. A few of our neighbors happened to be at the beach in June, and removed their belongings and accepted their refunds of rents.I never accepted refund of my rents as Norma then said, we could have it until October. We hired a Mexican attorney to create a way to deposit future rents during the transition. My intent was to form a short term rental agreement with the new prospective buyer during the completion of the sale. Our attorney found no record of a sale pending. Norma then told us that we had until October (customary time for most of the beach people to return for the season) but that beginning July 15th, Nacho would no longer provide security, so we did! Then Norma told us that Nacho would actually be remaining until October, and providing security. One of the neighbors took it upon himself to call off our security, even though as a community we all arranged and paid for security through October. Within days, it was totally burned to the ground, coincidentally on a day Nacho was in La Paz. Even more miraculous, was that the day before the fires it was evident Nacho had removed belongings from his home. On a side note, those very Palapas that had been evacuated and accepted their refunds of prepaid rents, were not torched. 3 of the 14!
Here's some info just for chuckles - the 3 Policia that showed up at the beach while we were searching the remains were coincidentally just transferred from La Paz! On our 3rd visit with these authorities in Mulege, they didn't remember us, or the fire incident! Norma showed up on the beach with bulldozers to "protect the crime scene" and basically told us to get off of the property before the roads would be bulldozed, therefor trapping us on the beach with our motorhome. Whoever arranged the arson knew enough inside info. not to burn down those 3 palapas, and which palapas stored 4 stroke motors and motorcycles, and waverunners! An uncharred handtruck which was the storage for one of the stolen 4 stroke outboards, was found at Nacho's. The only propane tanks that were not destroyed, were those that were miraculously disconnected at Nacho's!
My palapa is pictures numbered 2, 17 & 18.

Do not give up on the belief that there is no judicial system in Mexico. There is a right way to do evictions and there is, believe me, punishment for arsonists and robbers. It might be tougher to get things moving, however, if you are persistent, you will certainly be able to have those people pay for what they did. And, by the way, you will be rendering Mulege a good service. One little thing that will help is to keep the public aware of further developments.

I WAS SHOCKED TO READ ALL THIS, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS QUIET PLACE? WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE POLICE AND WHO IS IN CHARGE, SOMETHING HAS CHANGED IN COMMAND, I AM DONT FEEL SAFE RETURNING WITH ALL THAT IS HAPPENING ALONG THE ENTIRE BAHA.......VERY SAD......

How do you propose to do that? The LAST time we were robbed, we had to PAY the police in Mulege to get a report to turn into our US insurance company. They had no interest in investigating anything.........Its very sad but crime seems to be rampant all over Northern Mexico. We all would like it to return to "the good old days" ...aint gonna happen...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by davew:
I know you have your own arson investigators but you might want to ask him what he thought was the fuel used. Some do flash back causing injory to the arsonists. Small town and one hospital. It may be that he/they came in for treatment. If so you will have a lead for a follow up and a suspect.


Dave,

We are once a year travelers to Mexico. We are fond of Baja especially Mulege. I have read about the arson at Arenas and that people are hesitant to go back. Where in that area do you feel is still safe? We prefer more authentic Baja digs with the beautiful blue water for snorkeling. Or is there an area similar on the Pacific side that is still considered safe. Your input is appreciated.

Mulege is some what safe but you can not relax like the old days. Lock everything up and you will be ok. The far end beaches Like Armenta is NOT!!!!!
Now for a suggestion. A while back I had an investigation. I was skip tracing a fellow who lead me to this place. I have attached a link hope it works if not get back with me. It on/off the road to San Jose del Cabo. Spent a night there. They have places on the water and some good camping area. I think you would like it.
Cabo Pulmo http://www.cabopulmo.com.mx/


DaveW

I never felt scared while in Mulege, or getting there. I traveled alone many times, stayed alone...never felt vulnerable. IT WAS MY LOVE!!!...we thought our homes could/would be burned...they never gave us a chance to pull out our stuff. They said we had til October... I can't understand why some of the legit business owners aren't outraged...the retailers in Mulege lost 13 families as weekly patrons/consumers, that's thousands of dollars annually....Mulege cannot afford this reputation!

oops! typo: NEVER thought our palapas would be burned

If anyone has been there late let me know how it is? I will be going down soon hope storm passes.....How did serenadad do with the last storm?....Thanks

I went there after Storm Julius and recovery is almost complete. Serenidad was not damaged at all. Good luck!

Thanks

Who are the new owners? Or, who were they supposed to be?

Palapas that were "clear" or not in contention were left alone. Others were not, as one would imagine that the new "buyers" would have no connection or emotional bond to the residents/lessees.

Hi there! Let me first extend my deep sympathy for those who lost their palapas and belongings! I am part of the family who has camped at the end of the beach with the red duro boat for the last 15 years.

I was completely devastated to hear this horrible news. We are still planning on coming down for three weeks in April.

Does anyone have any more information regarding what's going on at Punta Arena? I'm guessing that camping is no longer welcome there. If any of you are staying or are planning on staying at a different beach, please let me know.

I am still in awe that this could have happened!!!

Thanks,

Kyle Kennedy