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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
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A Double Shakedown in Constitución
We've been in Cd. Const every 3-4 wks either passing thru on the way to La Paz, or for banking and groceries and knew it was only a matter of time
before we'd fall victim to the sharks in the blue uniforms that so many others have been reporting.
I've read reports from people who have been pulled over by the police in Cd Const twice on the same trip on their way to and from la Paz , but here's
the doozy we experienced 2 days ago. We were pulled over 2 times before we even left the city limits! Once as we entered town and 10 min later as we
were leaving.
I'll preface the story by saying we always drive at, or under the speed limit no matter how slow that is, and stop completely at
intersections, and stop for pedestrians etc.
One block after the statue intersection on the North end of Constitucion, a cop standing on the sidewalk blew his whistle and waved us over. He asked
for my husband BigWooo's license and then said "Hey, you're from Las Barrancas aren't you? Remember when you bought beer for Tito and I?" We're not
from Las Barrancas, but we do know Tito and this cop looked a little familiar so we just smiled and sort of nodded without really confirming or
denying about the cerveza part.
The cop waved and said "No no, put your license away. After you pull back on to the highway, stay in the center lane so you can avoid the 'retén'
ahead and have a good trip".
He waved us on and we pulled away and moved to the center lane of the Southbound highway. 2 blocks beyond there were a couple of cops standing on the
side service road next to their truck, who appeared to be looking for cars to pull over also. I don't know how, or if, these 2 groups were working
together.
About 10 min later we had passed the Super Ley and were almost out of the South end of town when BigWooo says "uh oh, here we go" and we get the red
lights and siren of a different cop truck. We pull over again and the guy asks for Wooo's license. Wooo shows the guy his license but refuses to let
him have it in his hands.
The cop insists he needs to hold the license but Wooo is persistent and tells him he'll gladly hold it up for him to look at but will not hand it
over. The cop went to his truck and returned with a ticket book and pointed to rule #8 which said something about "failure to provide license or ID".
As he was reluctantly handing over his license, Wooo asked the cop why he had pulled us over and the man replied in rapid spanish , something about a
"stoplight and a niño". Since there were no pedestrians at any of the corners at the previous intersection, we knew we were getting the
imaginary-pedestrian-in-a-crosswalk scam that we'd heard about recently.
Wooo's patience was wearing thin and his volume was increasing as he said we'll go to the cop shop and sort it out. The cop said the station was
closed for 3 more hours. Wooo told him the police station does not close, and he has many friends on the department so lets go talk to them ( actually
it's just the 2 local cops in our little town). The guy paused, returned the license, then walked back and got in his truck.
We had barely pulled away from the curb and they already had another gringo pulled over behind us. He wasn't even back in his truck long enough to
witness a violation by another vehicle.
Today, on the drive back thru Cd Const I saw one cop car as we passed through town.
This situation is so ridiculous that it's funny, but not really. The next time may not be as easy and it makes you really dread having to go thru that
town.
[Edited on 7-2-2010 by oladulce]
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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do you live in las barrancas?
we used to run the clinic there for the Sams.
the strip became unsafe and town wouldn't fix it so we quit.
i like that town, very smallish. but nice beaches.
what's the latest there?
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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Zeeeeesh! Maybe the PD in Constitucion needs to start putting stickers on your windshield like the Red Cross does once you donate. I don't suppose the old line "I already gave" is too effective?
Sounds like everyone who is stopped on bogus mordita "infractions" ought to be going to the PD & registering official complaints & if (when)
it still continues, start reporting it up the chain of command however far up it needs to go get this BS squelched!!
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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This is a good example of why you should always call their bluff and demand to go to the station. I have had them pull the station is closed routine
both times I was pulled over there.
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
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| Quote: | Originally posted by capt. mike
...do you live in las barrancas?
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We're a little farther North Capt, which is where I think the cop recognized us from, but we thought it best not to correct him and smiled and nodded.
I forgot to mention that taking side streets wouldn't have made a difference in either case- the first cop was positioned before the start of the
divided highway now that i think of it, and before an side streets. The 2nd truck was sitting at the far end of town beyond any parallel roads that
I'm familiar with.
Also, the first guy looked at our front license plate as we approached before flagging us over and I think the 2nd guys looked at our rear plate as we
drove by them. So removing the front South Dakota plate may have been 50% effective.
I like the sticker idea LLinLP, or maybe a colorful ribbon on the antenna. Considering we would have been hassled 3 times in that 1.5 mile stretch had
we pulled on to the service road, might as well fly a driving-while-gringo flag.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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The time-tested method of engaging in a Mexican Stand-Off is to look the cop in the eye, grin slightly and drool like a baby. Don't engage in
conversation, resist or do anything but drool.
Believe me, he won't know what to do next and will let you go as a bad investment of his time.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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also throw up on yourself is good too, in many situations.
if being mugged Steve Martin says throw up on your money.
i like that. but yeah - drooling is good!
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS Don't engage in conversation, resist or do anything but drool.
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How does one drool on command, DENNIS
All I can think of is if one of the Tecate beer models walked in front of the car, or if I am looking at a Copper River Salmon on the grille. Neither
of which is likely. 
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
How does one drool on command, DENNIS
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Just pretend you're a dog named Winston. Arn't all Bulldogs named Winston?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by capt. mike
also throw up on yourself is good |
Oh, yeah...that a good one. Never fails.
Another method from the book says always wear dark pants while driving through Cd. Constitución. That way it shows better when you stand in front of
the cop and pee all over yourself. It may sound radical, but the results are worth it.
A few Pacificos before you enter town will prime the pump, so to speak.
SALUD and have a safe trip.
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chnlisle
Banned
Posts: 40
Registered: 4-26-2006
Location: Ramona, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oladulce
We've been in Cd. Const every 3-4 wks either passing thru on the way to La Paz, or for banking and groceries and knew it was only a matter of time
before we'd fall victim to the sharks in the blue uniforms that so many others have been reporting. |
I emailed a copy of your post to:
LIC. ALBERTO TREVIÑO ANGULO
SECRETARÍA DE TURISMO
Gobierno de Baja California Sur
KM. 5.5 CARRT. AL NORTE FRACC. FIDEPAZ
Correo: atrevino@gbcs.gob
Teléfono: 12-404 24
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
The time-tested method of engaging in a Mexican Stand-Off is to look the cop in the eye, grin slightly and drool like a baby. Don't engage in
conversation, resist or do anything but drool.
Believe me, he won't know what to do next and will let you go as a bad investment of his time. |
That is classic!
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3148
Registered: 3-20-2010
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This cop gig at Cd. Constitucion is bordering on the ridiculous. We need more actions like chnlisle's above. I'm thinking someone with some "palanca"
in local politics (Jesse, we need you) might want to bring this situation to the attention of someone who can do something about it.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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chnlisle
Good one. I have saved this address and hope all Nomads do and USE IT!
Iflyfishinspiteofcraplikethis
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
This cop gig at Cd. Constitucion is bordering on the ridiculous. We need more actions like chnlisle's above. I'm thinking someone with some "palanca"
in local politics (Jesse, we need you) might want to bring this situation to the attention of someone who can do something about it.
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Jesse has to live with them, so to speak. It's a delicate situation for him to be fighting city hall. The payback can be brutal for a businessman
down here.
I think the tourist or guest would have more clout anyway. That's the demographic the cities are trying to ingratiate.
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RnR
Senior Nomad
Posts: 836
Registered: 5-1-2010
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Does anyone know where the police station is?
I know this was asked before but the responses were not very specific. How about locating it on Google maps or Google earth? I'm willing to call
their bluff and drive directly to the station, as in; "Fine, Let's go. I know the way and I'll lead." Just need to know where it is so I can talk
and gesture in the correct direction with confidence.
I'll be heading down in a few months and want to be prepared. I don't mind bringing money for the Mexican economy in general, just not for somebody's
individual economy!
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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I should have posted this sooner, but 2 weeks ago our lead vehicle ran a stopsign that had been placed at a broken stoplight in Constitucion. This was
a motorcycle cop that pulled him over. By the time we got out of town, we saw three other gringos get pulled over. Unfortunately my friend didnt know
the drill and handed over 500 pesos.
We met 3 other gringos in our travels during the next week that had been pulled over in Constitucion.
HERE IS THE TRICK
when you get to the stoplights, you need to go east 2 blocks and travel up the dirt road with the stop signs (far fewer than stoplights).
Good luck
more pullover stories in upcoming posts
No worries
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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WHERE OH WHERE.....
Is the notation that anyone has filled out a complaint form with the green angels?
This is a federal complaint form and it generates a ton of paperwork for an accused party and they do not -repeat- do not slip it into the
wastebasket.
But, sadly, I am whistling in the wind here :-(
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
WHERE OH WHERE.....
Is the notation that anyone has filled out a complaint form with the green angels?
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Where are they when you need them?
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3511
Registered: 8-27-2003
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What do yo think would happen if you took out your cell phone, took a picture of the cop and said you were going to texted it to Sindicatura in La
Paz? Would this be foolish?
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