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Marla Daily
Nomad
Posts: 418
Registered: 9-2-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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STOPPED AND ROUSTED AGAIN IN TECATE
That makes 2 for 2 police shake-down attempts for us transiting Tecate. In October (as posted) a motorcycle cop stopped us on the hill going down into
Tecate on our way north. Our alleged infraction was dogs in the cab of the truck. We were polite; refused to pay, and after quite a stand-off and
putting the dogs in the camper (until the border), he let us go.
This morning at 8:30 A.M. two cops on motorcycles stopped us at the top of the same hill. We are headed south this time (and are now checked in at the
Baja Cactus Motel). Funny thing is, Kirk and I counted out loud the many odd stop signs and lights going up the hill out of Tecate as we crept our way
to the top. When we reached the top, there was a semi-truck pulled over by two motorcycle cops. When they saw our gringo camper rig towing a Wells
Cargo trailer creep by, they couldn't get on their bikes fast enough!
Yes they stopped us. Yes the dogs were in the cab of the truck. But THAT wasn't the alleged infraction. This time it was "SPEEDING" and we allegedly
owed a $70 US fine. We were informed the speed limit on the hill is 15 KM per hour. (????) It was ludicrous. Cars zoomed by us as we crept up the hill
at a snail's pace. The cops insisted we turn the rig around and follow them to the station to pay. We politely refused. The jefe was an officer named
Romero. His name was told to me by the underling cop out of earshot of Romero. When Romero returned to my side of the cab, and I said I understand he
was a Romero, he shook his head no. Then cop #2 said he told me his name. Romero wasn't pleased. Again we outwaited the impasse and were ultimately
let go.
It probably helped that Kirk used his Mexican drivers license and I politely argued in Spanish. So much for crossing at Tecate!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Marla Daily
It probably helped that Kirk used his Mexican drivers license and I politely argued in Spanish. So much for crossing at Tecate!
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For a US plated truck? [At least, that's what I assume.]
I'm surprised he didn't make an issue of that.
Anyway....I've tried to count the stop signs a hundred times, but always lose track. How many did you count?
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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For everyone complaining about Tecate...
Don't go.
There's absolutely no reason unless that's where you live.
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absinvestor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 11-28-2009
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I don't know if you're just unlucky or I am just lucky but I've crossed North and South at Tecate 6 times in the last year without incident????
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Mengano
Banned
Posts: 1238
Registered: 9-26-2011
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It's Christmas time. You might as well just park your truck and walk until after Epiphany.
[Edited on 12-12-2011 by Mengano]
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Leo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 518
Registered: 9-23-2004
Location: Todos Santos
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Mood: could be better
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That's true Mengano. The 2 times we were shaked down in La Paz was in the weeks leading to Christmas. Felice Navidad?
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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Stay cool, stay calm, communicate calmy and you will have no problem. Be super patient.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3508
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
Don't go.
There's absolutely no reason unless that's where you live. |
Everyone complaining? One person complaining about 2 shakedowns.
Pass on Tecate? Don't think so. Sure as heil beats SY and Otay.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Otay
Been crossing at Otay for 6 years now, daytime/nighttime both northbound and southbound, using Corridor 2000 .......
Passed and have been passed by TJ, State and Federal cops.....No shakedowns, no police problems. Also, been years since I have seen any TJ motorcycle
cops on Blvd 2000.
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
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Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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Don't think you're a "target" bajaguy... just saying .. 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I have used Tecate more times than I can count, would rarely use another crossing... Even if Tecate is extra long (once waited 3 hours), it still
outshines Mexicali or Tijuana's two border crossings, IMO.
I know the hill on the Ensenada route between the baseball stadium/ McDonalds and the toll highway at the top... About 4 or 5, 4-way stop signs that
the locals roll through... I am not a local, so I stop and count to three before moving... It's annoying, but not nearly as annoying as dealing with a
cop.
I was stopped once in Tecate right after they opened the new border into the USA... Didn't know where to go to get in line... made a U turn (legally),
but that got the attention of a motorcycle cop. Just be nice, apologize while explaining... and you just might have a good experience.
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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Mood: up on step
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two decades of crossing in tecate and haven't been stopped once.
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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Back in the 50's we used to drive to Tecate (from La Mesa) to party on Fri nights. Because the border was locked up at 11:00 we always left the cars
parked on the US side and would climb over the gate when we were ready to leave (usually around 1:00-2:00 AM). I remember one time when the local
police gave us each a boost to get over the gate.. and they didn't ask for a propina.
Bob Durrell
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 980
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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Hola Marla Daily,
sorry to hear about your unfortunate incidents.
i have been crossing at tecate for a number of years pulling a small utility trailer and have never been stopped even though when driving through
town, there were many motorcycle cops and cops in cars just parked apparently waiting to get their breakfast or lunch money.
i do stop at EVERY intersection that are and are not signed and i drive extremely slow for approximately the first couple of miles.
i have SINDICATURA stickers on my suv and on my utility trailer and i am a firm believer the stickers work.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3508
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
i have SINDICATURA stickers on my suv and on my utility trailer and i am a firm believer the stickers work.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT |
SINDICATURA stickers might be the new trend. Marla might benefit along with others. Can you post the sticker?
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 980
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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Hola Lee,
the sindicatura stickers have been around since around 2004 or so.
check your u2u.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lee
| Quote: | Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
i have SINDICATURA stickers on my suv and on my utility trailer and i am a firm believer the stickers work.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT |
SINDICATURA stickers might be the new trend. Marla might benefit along with others. Can you post the sticker? |
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Spearo
Nomad
Posts: 153
Registered: 11-30-2010
Location: Moscow, Idaho and Pescadero, BCS
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I was driving up that hill in Tecate last year and came up on two federales leaning against their cruiser. They looked up and started waving their
arms and motioning me to pull over. I started to do so and realized they were looking at the rig behind me. I looked in the rearview and there was a
pickup that had brush piled precariously at least 15 feet over the cab. It looked like a moving slash pile.
So...find someone with a huge illegal load and follow them!
Were it not for the abdomen, man would easily reckon himself a god.
Friedrich Nietzsche
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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That's the Mexican culture we miss north of the border.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Back in the 50's we used to drive to Tecate (from La Mesa) to party on Fri nights. Because the border was locked up at 11:00 we always left the cars
parked on the US side and would climb over the gate when we were ready to leave (usually around 1:00-2:00 AM). I remember one time when the local
police gave us each a boost to get over the gate.. and they didn't ask for a propina. |
That is a wonderful story... Viva the 50's! My decade (but was too young to remember it)!!
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