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sherdoggie
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 4-30-2018
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Mordida in Mexicali
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.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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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.
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surfhat
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Posts: 493
Registered: 6-4-2012
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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.
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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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Dash Cam
Check your local COSTCO or Sam's Club
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John Harper
Super Nomad
Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
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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.
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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
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6925
Registered: 8-5-2011
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| 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?
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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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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
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surfhat
Nomad
Posts: 493
Registered: 6-4-2012
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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.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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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.
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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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.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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unbob
Nomad
Posts: 407
Registered: 8-7-2006
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| 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.
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So, where can I get one of those 'No Sindicatura' stickers? Or better yet a dozen or more!
"I'm too young to be this old!"
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sherdoggie
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 4-30-2018
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| 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.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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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.
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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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'.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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bledito
Nomad
Posts: 420
Registered: 7-6-2013
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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.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Good Gone Bad
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.
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A?ejo Coca
Newbie
Posts: 20
Registered: 8-26-2003
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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]
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azucena
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Registered: 8-25-2012
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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
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paranewbi
Senior Nomad
Posts: 913
Registered: 4-15-2011
Location: San diego
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| 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.
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So, where can I get one of those 'No Sindicatura' stickers? Or better yet a dozen or more!
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Mikestickers.com
uv ink fade protection
safe for vehicle paint
(just tape it on the inside of windshield and move it to vehicles used)
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John Harper
Super Nomad
Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
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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
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