It’s not just the gangs and thugs. Police departments in Mexico are run as franchises. The government pay is low but the officers are expected to work their area to garner what money they deem is a living wage.
An employee of my sister’s had a late model Jeep stolen when a visiting relative took it over the border at Brownsville unbeknown to the owner. The owner being of Mexican descent and speaking the local language found it behind a police station after getting a tip for acquaintances in Mexico. It was been used as the Chief’s car.
My sister has a Mexico trip car-—a beater with a magnetic tag holder. The SOP, when involved in an accident, is to grab the tags and exit the scene ASAP.
Buses are clean, spacious, three seats across, on time and very reasonably priced.
You can get tickets on line, just like with an airline, and have a reserved seat when arriving at the bus station. They've got movies, headphones, snacks, etc.
A much more pleasant experience than bus travel in the U.S.