I was almost kidnapped: What happened to the safe heaven that once was Mexico City?

**Edit: Thank you all for sharing your stories and making this post go viral. I can't believe the impact that this post has had. I hope this post can grow awareness and create a discussion to develop solutions that will make the city safer for all citizens.**<br><br>I’ve been living in Mexico City for 30 years. I’ve seen the city change dramatically during that time. In the 90’s it was dirtier and more crowded but safer. Now the city is cleaner, but crowded and I’ve never felt so scared and less safe than I feel now.<br><br>I’ve had several bad experiences, including being carjacked, many cases of street harassment but the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had was when I was almost kidnapped.<br><br>I was walking my dog around 2AM in a popular neighborhood in Mexico City. I’ve walked my dog at that time several times because a storm was incoming and I had to take the dog out before it was too late. I’d been walked my dog safely every other night at that time. I was walking my dog when all of a sudden a van was parked next to me and several men got out. One of them got off and went behind me. I was carrying my dog by the neck with both hands. He started to strangle me and he was putting me in the van. I was kicking the floor and screamed for help. The one that was strangling me told me to shut up because they were going to kill me. All of a sudden, I saw a homeless person that sleeps on the street block the van. He started punching and kicking the van as the men were taking me. I’m not sure why but he helped me. I will never forget him. He was telling the men to stop and at some point they ran away. He stayed with me and told me to go inside my building. He stayed outside. I wanted to text my friends to let them know what happened so they could be careful but I didn’t want to share this story with anyone else. I was traumatized. I was scared to go outside and I didn’t want to ruin the reputation of the city I love. This happened 5 years ago but has marked me ever since.<br><br>I’m sharing this story because of the recent kidnappings cases in the city. Last week the remains of a Mexican journalist named Fredido Cabrera were found. He was missing for days. Most recent he was picked up outside a bar. He was never seen again. His family was looking for him everywhere until his remains were found in a mass grave. I’m so sorry to his family. This could’ve happened to me and it keeps happening to thousands of people. I’m so scared to go out. I’m under a lot of stress. Is there any possible solutions so the city can be safer? Has any other city experienced this level of crime and what did they do to make it better? Any suggestions are welcome. The city is not the same and I want my safe haven to come back.