Puerto Vallarta Sees Significant Increase In Crimes of Robbery, Rape, and Assault

PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – Recent crime statistics from the Criminal Traffic Light in Jalisco paint a concerning picture for the region, as seven major crime categories have surged within the last eight months in Puerto Vallarta.

While homicides saw a 15 percent decrease – from 20 reported cases in 2022 to 17 this year between January and August – other crime categories have witnessed significant hikes.

Vehicle thefts rose by 16 percent, with 322 cases reported this year compared to 278 in 2022, marking an average increase of 22 percent. Residential burglaries have also seen an uptick of 8 percent, with 118 incidents reported this year against 109 in the previous year.

More alarmingly, business robberies in Puerto Vallarta have surged by a staggering 65 percent in the past eight months. Last year, 74 such incidents were reported during the January-August window. This year, that number has leaped to 122.

The crime of assault rose by 8 percent, with 300 cases registered this year compared to 278 in 2022. Rape cases in Puerto Vallarta jumped by 45 percent, seeing 29 cases in 2023 against 20 in the previous year.

Family violence is another pressing concern, with a 40 percent increase. While 2022 saw 371 complaints, 519 have already been reported in the first eight months of 2023.

On a brighter note, some crimes have seen a decline. Extortion cases have dropped by 7 percent, though the overall average rose 25 percent. Feminicides fell sharply by 67 percent, with only one case reported this year, in contrast to the three in 2022. Drug dealing-related crimes plummeted by 75 percent, registering only three cases this year against 12 in 2022.

Despite these concerning figures, the Municipal President has often claimed that Puerto Vallarta ranks among the nation's safest cities. However, recent data suggests an urgent need for bolstered measures and strategies to combat the rising crime rates in the upcoming months.