patsydiamo
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 10-10-2007
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Tourist police in La Paz
I just returned from La Paz and as we were leaving town we were pulled over by the Tourist Police (I guess thats what they are---it says that on their
car anyway) for having tinted windows. we have a factory tint--but it is dark; however, not as dark as most vehicles driven by mexicans (Including
this officers car!). Its a 2000 Toyota and we've never been stopped for this before. We did argue with the officer and said we'd go to the police
station. He finally backed down, didnt ask for mordita and didnt ticket us. Has anyone else had this experience? If so, how did you handle it?
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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you did perfect!!!
always insist on going to the station. it's cheaper in the long run although it may take longer.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Tinted windows are a touchy subject in Mexico these days, especially in the border cities. Not hard to understand why since there's a war going on
and the enemy is everywhere. If I were a cop, I wouldn't want to be near a vehicle if I couldn't see who was inside.
I think both you and the officer handled yourselves well, under the circumstances.
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patsydiamo
Newbie
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Registered: 10-10-2007
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Good point, Dennis! ...and i couldnt agree more about the police needing to see inside the vehicle. I guess i was just wondering why we happened to
be singled out when tinted windows were more the rule then the exception...and our side windows were down and I had eye contact with the officer...but
even more then that, I was curious about the designation as "tourist police" and exactly how their job might differ from the "regular" police. It
would also be interesting to know how the people of La Paz view their police force and their honesty---or lack of it. We plan on spending a lot of
time in La Paz and it would be helpful to know how to conduct myself should i get stopped again!
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Russ
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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Very interesting. Tourist Police, factory tinted windows, and US plates. I would have thought at most the Tourist Police would only have warned you
and not tried to shack you down. So let me see if I have this right, La Paz put together the Tourist police because they're probable concerned about
returning tourist and want a visible presents to gain tourist confidence.
And now the La Paz tourist must worry about the officer that is there specifically to aid them while they spend their money and try to relax in a
"safe" environment. What are we to think of the regular police force? I think you should report this incident to the police or mayor or some one in a
position to look into this outrageous behavior. Maybe if you post the date, time and area you were in a Nomad that lives there could present it to
some one in government they believe cares. With that said, I don't disagree that tinted windows are a legitimate concern. Only that an officer with a
specific duty to make tourist comfortable in the city should not be the one to give the city a black eye. You handled yourself well. Good job!
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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I think the situation was handled well. I don't blame the police for being on edge- they are being picked-off like fleas down here by the narcos. I
don't understand why only one tourist police car would risk stopping you if they were afraid of what was inside your car. Here in Rosarito they would
have had a full Army patrol unit on you in a heartbeat if they thought you were a bad guy- but "Tourist Police" would never take them on alone. IMHO,
It was a shakedown for a quick mordida is all. Here driving a "Tourist Police" car for your shift is a plum, relatively safe shift assignment. It
isn't like they are ambassadors or anything. I do think having touist police cars on regular patrol reminds the locals how important public safelty
and security is to the economy.
[Edited on 11-27-2009 by Woooosh]
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Tinted windows present a challenge to law enforcement everywhere.
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