BajaNomad - Mordida in Mexicali

Mordida in Mexicali

sherdoggie - 6-17-2018 at 10:39 AM

Just returned from 5 days in BOLA. Entered Mexicali 5:30 AM Monday, took 45 minutes to get FMM cards due to what looked to be an incredibly impaired Immigration official. He could barely walk to get to his computer. He had trouble seeing anything, using one finger one letter at a time to try to type. Swiped my passport at least 6 times, didn't seem to get it entered. Finally got the young (teenage) security guard to help. There, done. Now to process my friend's info. We were trailering a small boat, and not 1/2 mile from the border, we were pulled over by a single police officer. We were driving slow, maybe 25-30 mph, all other cars passing us by. He claimed we were driving too slow, which he said was illegal. OK. Told us the speed limit was 45 kph, which would be around 27 mph. My friend was driving, and was told to get out of the car. The officer said that maybe we could settle the fine so we could be on our way. My friend pulled out a $20 bill, which the officer took and pocketed. He then proceeded to frisk my friend, then handcuffed him to the seat belt of our truck. Told us that a bribe is illegal, he had it caught on his camera, and that we would be taken to the station, where minimum penalty was 3 days in jail and $500-$1000 fine. He then said he was going to call his superior (supposedly) and see what can be done. We were told we could settle the issue for $500, and the tape would be erased. We said we couldn't do that. After some uncomfortable haggling, he settled for $200. Without the threat of a tape recording, we would have insisted on paying the fine at the station. When in BOLA, another gringo party of 3 towing a boat had the exact same experience, same infraction, the MO was exactly the same. They got hit for $400. They told us that Mexicali is filled with corruption, although this was my first such experience in many trips since first going through in 1972. This type of experience has got us wondering if our Baja days are behind us. I hear Tecate is pretty bad also. Just wanted to put this out there as a warning.

BajaBlanca - 6-17-2018 at 10:48 AM

HOLY SMOKES. I bet the law is that you drive as safely as you can, just like in the USA.

So, for sure don't pay the mordida anymore and insist on going to the station? Hey, this may be the perfect solution to stop corruption once and for all.

surfhat - 6-17-2018 at 11:01 AM

Dash cam, dash cam, dash cam.

That, and a No Sindicatura sticker should be on everyone's list of essentials for traveling here north of the border and down there.

That dash cam will be a deterrent, as it is here to unjust 'revenuers' north of the border. Once they see that and you know your are innocent, you have all the proof you need.

It is known around here, that if an officer sees that device, they will not continue with their writing of a citation unless we are genuinely guilty.

The dash cam tells no lies.

Anyone have a favorite dash cam? I am in the market for one for my van? The market is ever expanding on these truth telling recorders. They are worth every penny, if they are ever needed.

If a police officer in Baja sees that, it is almost guaranteed they will know better than to seek a mordida. We are all targets to a degree as sources for cash. Nothing new there.

A dash cam is our proof that cannot be denied. In the relatively small chance that we are guilty, we can use that to reassure the officer that we hold no grudge for his stopping us. That sentiment alone might mitigate his $ demands. Or not.

I can dream.

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there.

Dash Cam

bajaguy - 6-17-2018 at 11:14 AM

Check your local COSTCO or Sam's Club

John Harper - 6-17-2018 at 11:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surfhat

Dash cam, dash cam, dash cam.

That, and a No Sindicatura sticker should be on everyone's list of essentials for traveling here north of the border and down there.

That dash cam will be a deterrent, as it is here to unjust 'revenuers' north of the border. Once they see that and you know your are innocent, you have all the proof you need.

It is known around here, that if an officer sees that device, they will not continue with their writing of a citation unless we are genuinely guilty.

The dash cam tells no lies.

Anyone have a favorite dash cam? I am in the market for one for my van? The market is ever expanding on these truth telling recorders. They are worth every penny, if they are ever needed.

If a police officer in Baja sees that, it is almost guaranteed they will know better than to seek a mordida. We are all targets to a degree as sources for cash. Nothing new there.

A dash cam is our proof that cannot be denied. In the relatively small chance that we are guilty, we can use that to reassure the officer that we hold no grudge for his stopping us. That sentiment alone might mitigate his $ demands. Or not.

I can dream.

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there.

How do you make sure the cop and you are within view of the camera when he's shaking you down? They aren't 360 view are they?

John

SFandH - 6-17-2018 at 11:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

How do you make sure the cop and you are within view of the camera when he's shaking you down? They aren't 360 view are they?

John

Wouldn't the audio recording of the encounter be the most incriminating?

bajaguy - 6-17-2018 at 12:05 PM

On some cameras/mounts you can swivel the camera on it's mount. I replaced the suction cup mount with a mirror mount:

https://www.amazon.com/Pruveeo-Dash-Mount-Rearview-Mirror/dp...

And most dash cams have audio recording capability

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

How do you make sure the cop and you are within view of the camera when he's shaking you down? They aren't 360 view are they?

John

Wouldn't the audio recording of the encounter be the most incriminating?

surfhat - 6-17-2018 at 12:14 PM

John, some do have that ability. The wide front angle of view does show the roadway and sidewalks and signal lights and stop signs.

This is a known deterrent for some of ours and yours local enforcement officers. Some have commented that once an officer sees that device, they have walked away when they know there is proof of their innocence.

As one who was unjustly targeted without a dash cam, this is now on my bucket list. Thankfully, when my court date came the officer chose to not show up. He knew he was wrong. Justice was served even though I was put through the process for no reason.

That we need such a device these days for our defense against false citations is a fact of modern life.

In the relatively small amount of cases that we might be guilty, we can use that to assure the officer that we are not debating his reason for citing us. I would think that sentiment would be appreciated by any enforcement officer, whether he is here or south of the order.

Happy Fathers Day.

rts551 - 6-17-2018 at 12:20 PM

Hope you learned a lesson here. Do not fall for the we can settle it here stuff. The camera should have also caught him pocketing the $20, so why fall for the rest of the BS.

bajabuddha - 6-17-2018 at 12:22 PM

Anyone tried simply holding your phone up and recording the officer as he approaches and interacts? I'd do that even if my phone doesn't have camera capabilities (simple grandpa flip-phone). Act like the whole mess is being recorded... they can't stop you from that or take your phone (I hope). May be a simple solution and deterrent.

unbob - 6-17-2018 at 03:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surfhat

Dash cam, dash cam, dash cam.

That, and a No Sindicatura sticker should be on everyone's list of essentials for traveling here north of the border and down there.

So, where can I get one of those 'No Sindicatura' stickers? Or better yet a dozen or more!

sherdoggie - 6-17-2018 at 04:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551

Hope you learned a lesson here. Do not fall for the we can settle it here stuff. The camera should have also caught him pocketing the $20, so why fall for the rest of the BS.

I actually had a brand new dash cam with me that I hadn't yet affixed. With all the drama, I hadn't even remembered that I had it. Could have at least gotten audio, since he didn't bother with me much, and I was pretty much out of his field of vision.

willardguy - 6-17-2018 at 04:31 PM

if you really think all this jazz is necessary, stop at the sindicatura office in ensenada and pick up a few business cards to hand off with your license. a block behind the Riviera on the south side of the river.

bajabuddha - 6-17-2018 at 04:48 PM

Anyone give credence to the increased belligerence of the Mexican authorities proportional to the increased belligerence of the American ... ''authorities"? I do. Not a 'deep state' item, just you call us names, we don't like you. Pure and simple. Trouble a-brewin'.

bledito - 6-17-2018 at 04:56 PM

your not in Kansas anymore toto. your in Mexico known to be corrupt, as well as having people dis-appeared. If your so bold as to photograph,dashcam the cop. What would prevent him from grabbing your cheap assed dashcam and stepping on it. He can then shake you down and perhaps if he takes an interest in you screw you while your handcuffed to the steering wheel. If your real lucky you get away alive with just a bruise bumhole. good luck.

Good Gone Bad

MrBillM - 6-17-2018 at 04:56 PM

There was a day when Mordida was reasonable. TRULY, a small bite.

The system was GREAT and I loved it.

5 - 10 - 20 dollars here and there to get thing done.

THOSE were the days.

A?ejo Coca - 6-17-2018 at 09:37 PM

These escalations of the mordida game are worrisome.

I've had nightmares about a corrupt cop planting drugs on me and ending up in a Midnight Express scenario.

My dash cam swivels and get's the audio and it sounds great.

I haven't had an issue in years, but if I do I won't point the cam out to the cop until after I try to get out of it and he makes incriminating statements. Of course, he might notice the cam on his own.

I am worried they'll get smart to the dash cams and ask you to get out of the vehicle to do their dirty work.

I don't think poking a cell phone in his face is a good idea. I've heard of this peeing off some cops and it went badly.

In a pinch you could start an audio recording on your phone though. That wouldn't be intrusive.

[Edited on 6-18-2018 by A?ejo Coca]

azucena - 6-18-2018 at 09:03 AM

Mr Bill M

Since when is a little bite ( little corruption ) a good thing?

Just leads to big bites ( big corruption)

Mexico's most urgent problem is CORRUPTION

And you have to account for inflation, so it just keeps getting bigger

paranewbi - 6-18-2018 at 10:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by unbob

Quote: Originally posted by surfhat

Dash cam, dash cam, dash cam.

That, and a No Sindicatura sticker should be on everyone's list of essentials for traveling here north of the border and down there.

So, where can I get one of those 'No Sindicatura' stickers? Or better yet a dozen or more!

Mikestickers.com
uv ink fade protection
safe for vehicle paint

(just tape it on the inside of windshield and move it to vehicles used)

John Harper - 6-18-2018 at 10:50 AM

Considering how a photo of a cop's face could show up on the internet, I would expect a Mexican cop would not take kindly to having a cell phone camera pointed at them.

Remember, 43 schoolkids disappeared, scores of journalists killed, crime families competing. They don't have the FBI like us. Last thing a cop needs is his face on the internet so someone recognizes him, and his family is the next target.

Not a good idea even in our homeland of TRUSSIA. I'm sure one of our cops would rip it from your hands for the same reasons. I believe I've read of it several times in various states.

John

SDROB - 6-18-2018 at 11:42 AM

Recently within the past few weeks I had a friend get shook down in Mexicali for $140. Apparently the cop told him he was swirving, this was around 9am and he was driving straight as I was right behind him.

One thought I had was carrying my 2 way radio with me and telling the cop that I had someone I was caravanning with, just radio me to tell me that they had took video off the cops face pulling us over before moving on just in case.

I thought this could be used as a deterrent as the cop wouldn't really know if you were caravanning or not.

This is just a thought as I have recently heard quite a few stories of this continually happening. Especially around the holidays.

Any thoughts?

John Harper - 6-18-2018 at 12:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SDROB

Any thoughts?

If I was a Mexican cop, I would assume you're calling in an airstrike on my position. I'd be looking for a car full of guys with guns pulling up any second.

Attempting to intimidate a cop does not seem a wise tactic, no matter the method.

John

JoeJustJoe - 6-18-2018 at 12:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by azucena

Mr Bill M

Since when is a little bite ( little corruption ) a good thing?

Just leads to big bites ( big corruption)

Mexico's most urgent problem is CORRUPTION

And you have to account for inflation, so it just keeps getting bigger

It's much much better to be pulled over by a Mexico cop, even if he is corrupt, than to be pulled over by a US RoboCop, who is going to give you a traffic ticket, that will cost you about $400 dollars, after fines and traffic school. And if you're black, you stand a good chance to be beat or shot in the back by an US Cop.

What's a traffic ticket bribe going to cost? Maybe, $20 or $40 dollars in Mexico, or more if you're hapless and show real fear.

Drunk driving in the US about $10,000 dollars, after you add everything up. In Mexico, a DUI, maybe $500 dollars, or even less to get a Mexican cop to let you go and drive home.

Lee - 6-18-2018 at 02:35 PM

I'm not sure all gringoes who claim mordida stops are innocent. How many get through Tecate and CC with no problems vs. those who've been stopped and post about it here.

I expect to be stopped between TJ and Cabo whenever I'm driving my car. Mentally, I am prepared to negotiate with cops. Gnukid has touched on this and I totally agree. A great attitude with these cops will go a long way.

I think these guys can see fear. Relax, have fun, don't be in a hurry. Patience will pay off.

I"ve been stopped once in 20 years -- legit stop with faulty tail light on a car I was towing.

Always be courteous, friendly, smile, joke around, point to your dash cam (I will always get out of my car), ask him if you can take a selfie of the two of you.

It's all negotiable.

hermosok123 - 6-18-2018 at 04:36 PM

Crossed on Friday 3 pm. Plenty of police presence at every stop. We were careful to do the 3 second drill. Heading up hill to Ens they pulled us over claiming no seat belt, bad stop. Offered to follow them to the station and after consulting with his supervisor we were allowed to leave with a stern warning.

Udo - 6-20-2018 at 09:04 AM

Tecate has been famous for mordida for quite a while. Last Friday, June 15, 2018, I drove that way both North and Southbound. Lots of cops (cars, truck and bikes) everywhere.

I figured I was a marked man because I was towing a trailer (the lights and turn signals were inoperative) with a RZR on it and both vehicles had US plates.

Lo and behold...no stops for infractions!

[Edited on 6-20-2018 by Udo]

bajaric - 6-20-2018 at 10:11 AM

If I read that right the OP said that the friend offered a $20 bribe, then the officer said that offering a bribe was illegal and escalated it to a $400 bribe. Talk about a catch 22!

I think the best response is to ask to go the police station to pay the ticket. If you can say it in Spanish so much the better. Act resigned, not indignant, as if you truly respect that they are conducting law enforcement to make the roads safer for the public and are genuinely sorry, and willing to pay the ticket at the station. And don't carry large sums of money in your wallet. An empty wallet and a request to go to the station will cause a crooked cop to lose interest pretty fast.

I have crossed both Mexicali and Tecate about a dozen times the last year and have not had any issues with the police. A couple of years ago I was at a red light in Mexicali in my old Buick Regal and a woman was in the crosswalk in front of me when the light turned green and the driver behind me saw the green light and drove forward and smacked my back bumper pretty hard. He pulled off to the right, where there happened to be a cop on the side of the road. Sensing a possible shakedown, I just kept driving and lost them in traffic. Turned out the bumper absorbed the impact with no damage even though it was a pretty solid smack.

David K - 6-20-2018 at 11:08 AM

The best response is to smile, not be in a hurry, explain your ignorance for violating the law (if you did violate a law), and apologize... that you are only going to Mexico to "enjoy the rich culture of this great country".

If you didn't violate the law, then smile and say let's go to the judge/comandante... Do not believe the officer when he tells you the fine is hundreds of dollars, it is not. Odds are he will let you go on the spot, or stop halfway to the judge (as you are following him) and hand you back your license... he may attempt one more try at scaring you to pay him. Just expect it so there is no surprise. Welcome to Latin America!

The main thing is to not act like you are in a hurry, or scared... This will make for a good campfire or Nomad story, after all!

It is a good rule, however, to not exceed the speed limit where you cannot see far ahead (hills, vados, curves)... as ridiculous as 80 kph is on most of Hwy. 1. Come to a complete stop (count to three) at all stop signs, wear your seatbelt, and stay off your cell phone... just like you should do in the USA!

DaliDali - 6-20-2018 at 11:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JoeJustJoe

Quote: Originally posted by azucena

Only an anarchist could love this Joe.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8

sancho - 6-20-2018 at 12:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Do not believe the officer when he tells you the fine is hundreds of dollars, it is not.

Was a guy months back, did the go to the station thing,
fine was more than the mordida, the station fines don't
appear to be the $15 dlls, as in the past. I think it somewhat
unreasonable to expect the casual gringo tourist to, in a
confrontation with Mex cop, with threat of vehicle
impoundment, to follow a cop to the station, while not at all
being intimidated by the situation. Some seasoned Baja
travellers yes, Joe Tourist no.

John M - 6-20-2018 at 01:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JoeJustJoe

Quote: Originally posted by azucena

Joe JJ

John M - 6-20-2018 at 02:05 PM

"And if you're black, you stand a good chance to be beat or shot in the back by an US Cop."

And, Joe, I suppose you have facts and figures to determine the odds that make it "a good chance" in the US?

Just how many blacks are stopped and what percentage of those are beat or shot? Certainly you must know, at least to justify your statement.

You are pretty free with such a statement and it is both insulting and unfair to US cops who do their daily job free of bias and racial prejudice. And somewhere in your mind you probably have already determined the odds when a black is stopped by a black officer or a white officer?

John M

What would a US cop be doing in Mexicali?

AKgringo - 6-20-2018 at 03:19 PM

Isn't that what this thread was about? The Tecate input is at least on topic (mordida), let's try to stay there!

[Edited on 6-20-2018 by AKgringo]

Bitten often by the Mordida Bug

MrBillM - 6-20-2018 at 04:12 PM

WHEN is a "little" corruption a GOOD thing ?

Well, when it benefits ME, of course.

Over the 40+ years of traveling south, I have paid a pittance in mordida on goods moved south.

Additionally, except in the one instance noted previously, EVERY traffic stop I suffered over the years was for an infraction I committed. For which I paid a reasonable "fine" to the officer and went on my way. Unlike a traffic stop in the U.S.

Which reminds me of a funny story ............................ years ago, a couple of my neighbors in Percebu who split their time between there and their casa in Rosarito Beach had a new neighbor (there) who decided that she wanted a telephone. "Good Luck", they said. "We had to wait over 6 months before we got ours".

The next day, she came back from Tijuana and they asked her how it worked out.

"Great. They're coming out Tuesday to install it".

"What ?"

"Yeah, the clerk said that it would be an additional $100.00 (cash) and I paid it".

I once arrived at the (old) Mexicali crossing with my truck camper filled to the roof and the (fluent in English) agent said "OK. Please remove everything so it can be inspected".

"WHAT ?", I said.

Laughing, he said "Scared you, didn't I ?. OK, Twenty Dollars."

It WAS a great system.

motoged - 6-20-2018 at 04:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DaliDali

... Only an anarchist could love this Joe.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8

Geez, I thought you had a sense of humour....

And his name is Chris..... :rolleyes:

DaliDali - 6-20-2018 at 05:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

Quote: Originally posted by DaliDali

... Only an anarchist could love this Joe.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8

Geez, I thought you had a sense of humour....

And his name is Chris..... :rolleyes:

Had time to check your notes Ged?

JoeJustJoe - 6-20-2018 at 07:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John M

"And if you're black, you stand a good chance to be beat or shot in the back by an US Cop."

And, Joe, I suppose you have facts and figures to determine the odds that make it "a good chance" in the US?

Just how many blacks are stopped and what percentage of those are beat or shot? Certainly you must know, at least to justify your statement.

You are pretty free with such a statement and it is both insulting and unfair to US cops who do their daily job free of bias and racial prejudice. And somewhere in your mind you probably have already determined the odds when a black is stopped by a black officer or a white officer?

It's like you John M, never heard of Rodney King, or all those other blacks victims to police brutality, or those blacks like Freddie Grey, who died while in police custody, and it appears you have not heard of my football hero Colin Kaepernick, who is being blackballed for taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem, while wearing piggy socks.

John M

It's like you John M, never heard of Rodney King, or all those other blacks victims to police brutality, or those blacks like Freddie Grey, who died while in police custody, and it appears you have not heard of my football hero Colin Kaepernick, who is being blackballed for taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem, while wearing piggy socks.

John M, are you white? I ask because white Americans, rarely have a clue or believe that cops abuse their badge and gun in the US, especially in the hood.

As a Mexican-American, growing up in East Los Angeles, I saw first hand how white cops treat the natives in urban neighborhoods. Yes DWB( driving while black or brown) is alive and well in the urban neighborhoods.

Blacks have it much worse than most other minorities combined, and there are plenty of studies and evidence that shows cops abuse their power towards people of color, but I'm not going to post all those studies, however I will post one. ( see below)

This topic about cops in the US, kinda relates to what goes on in Mexico, because gringos, are also sometimes racially profiled by Mexican cops, especially by Mexican corrupt cops.

Nobody likes to be shaken down by corrupt cops, or even stopped by a cop for whatever reason. But when a white American, gets pulled over by a Mexican cop in Mexico, even if they don't give in to a bribe attempt, they get a little taste about how it feels to get pulled over in the hood in the USA with the cops using reasonable suspicion, the same way as Mexican cops use random stops, where it's basically the same thing, the cops are just fishing and playing the numbers game that you are doing something illegal.
________________
here is one study from Wikipedia:

A study carried out at the University of California found "evidence of a significant bias in the killing of unarmed black Americans compared to unarmed white Americans".[1] In this study, the probability of being shot by the police as a black, unarmed person versus as a white, unarmed person was 3.49 times higher. Unarmed Hispanics' likelihood to be shot was 1.67 times higher than for unarmed Whites.

The number vary greatly depending on the county, sometimes reaching a probability of 20 to 1 or more for unarmed blacks to be shot. There are several maps that showcase the distribution of fatal shootings across the country.

[Edited on 6-21-2018 by JoeJustJoe]

Beating Bad Meat

MrBillM - 6-20-2018 at 09:02 PM

Statistically speaking, 99.27 % of those who are subjected to a police beating were found to deserve it.

+/- an error factor of 3.08 %.

I read (or heard) that somewhere.

I think.

[Edited on 6-21-2018 by MrBillM]

chuckie - 6-21-2018 at 07:07 AM

I saw the same article.....maybe....