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TSThornton
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 8-25-2021
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Police Shakedown in Mexicali
I don't typically like to put my business on the internet, but this forum has been helpful to me so I thought I should post this as a PSA.
I crossed Mexicali West alone at 6:30 am on Monday morning. Was pulled over by city cops where the road takes a dip through the turns shortly after
the border before joining main 5. My offense was having my dogs outside of a crate in the cab of my truck. It was pretty scary for me, with them
having me put my hands on the truck, while one was on my left going through my wallet while the other on my right was going through everything in the
cab. They would not permit me to go to the station with them unless I submitted to being arrested and traveling in their car, leaving my dogs in the
truck. The cost to leave was $200.
I'm just putting it out there so it is known, but I don't intend to respond to any questions or opinions. If others want to offer suggestions on how
to handle such a situtation based on their actual experience, that's fine.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9226
Registered: 10-3-2003
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I hate driving through the border towns. Always on edge.
The dog angle makes me very sad.
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matthew_mangus
Junior Nomad
Posts: 81
Registered: 10-4-2019
Location: Portland, OR
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I'm sorry this happened to you. We have to always be vigilant about the mordida shakedowns. I carry a piece of paper that explains in Spanish and
English that I know what's going on. I work to call their bluff (currently a 1-2 success rate) but am always prepared to cave and pay if the situation
warrants it.
If you are on FB, please share your experience in the SOS Sindicatura group page. Every story shared helps spread awareness of the mordida problem. https://www.facebook.com/groups/782760012222292
I like to explore remote dirt tracks and beaches.
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geoffff
Senior Nomad
Posts: 643
Registered: 1-15-2009
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Yes! Thank you for sharing. Every one of these stories helps me mentally prepare what to do when this happens to me again.
My only shakedown so far has been in Cancun. I had done my homework by watching youtube videos ahead of that family vacation, so when it happened I
did all the right things and got out of it.
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TSThornton
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 8-25-2021
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Thanks. Not on Facebook, but feel free to copy the post over there.
And for the viewing public, it felt chitty for pretty much only until the dawn broke and the fog burned off. As ususal, every other interaction with
the lovely folks of the peninsula has been great, including at security checkpoints. Mas sur, mas tranquilo.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Great attitude...
We also were harassed but by the military, accusing us of having marijuana at San Ignacio checkpoint, six years ago. In my hundreds of Baja trips,
nothing like that or any crime has happened to me in Baja, so it is easy to let it not ruin future trips.
I wonder what would happen if you stood your ground and didn't pay (see story by Paulina many years ago)?
They use fear to intimidate us.
I will guess you had $200 in your wallet? [always hide most of your trip cash in a money belt or ??]
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grace59
Senior Nomad
Posts: 614
Registered: 9-14-2004
Location: San Felipe, Baja, Mexico
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I'm sorry that this happened to you. It's scary. As a woman who drives alone this kind of thing always worries me. I've heard of this happening in
both Mexicali and Tecate. My dog is too big to crate inside the vehicle so I seat belt her into the back seat....for her safety in case we have an
accident.
Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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I've seen Mexicali cops working the Blvd. as you cross
into Mex at Mexicali West, Presidente Blvd., I believe
it's called. Some here say call their bluff, go to the
station, there is a lot of bravado attached to that.
Not always comfortable, to face down cops in Mexico.
Read of a few incidents recently crossing into TJ. I've
seen a form out of San Felipe that one should show if
being extorted, along with the often quoted Sindictura
window sticker, sounds weak to me. Unfortunately the days
of the $20 mordida are gone
[Edited on 10-29-2021 by sancho]
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Don Pisto
Super Nomad
Posts: 1230
Registered: 8-1-2018
Location: El Pescador
Member Is Online
Mood: weary like everyone else
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I posted this a couple weeks ago....there was zero interest
https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/milan/index.php/avisos/82-app-d...
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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BajaTed
Senior Nomad
Posts: 859
Registered: 5-2-2010
Location: Bajamar
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I have used my Sindictura card and expired CDL multiple times.
DON"T BE A SNOWFLAKE. Cop an attitude, let them see the change in your demeanor. This is what they know to avoid and go after people like the OP.
When asked what do you want to do to resolve this?
Ask the cop if he has a family?
Then tell him calmly his wife will kill him for loosing his job and say your sorry for what is to occur.
how you gonna do that says the cop?
Do you really want to find out? (while showing the phone # on the Sindictura card and describing the Xmas gift you give them for support thru the
years)
They have thrown my CDL back @ me three times in 60 years. I learned this behavior from my father, he did it every time he cut the line @ TJ back in
the day. Thanks DAD for not raising a Baja wimp.
Spit in the devil's eye when ever possible.
Es Todo Bueno
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Tijuana: http://www.sindicatura.gob.mx/
Mexicali: https://sindicaturamexicali.info/
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17292
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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i downloaded the app today. Will keep it with me for next opportunity to use it.
Do you know anyone who has used it? And did they get results? Or is the app a blackhole?
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17292
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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that s just for TJ and Mexicali.
need a list of all the local complaint office/teles for all of baja (and a map!)...
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3455
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Quote: Originally posted by BajaTed  | I have used my Sindictura card and expired CDL multiple times.
DON"T BE A SNOWFLAKE. Cop an attitude, let them see the change in your demeanor. This is what they know to avoid and go after people like the OP.
When asked what do you want to do to resolve this?
Ask the cop if he has a family?
Then tell him calmly his wife will kill him for loosing his job and say your sorry for what is to occur.
how you gonna do that says the cop?
Do you really want to find out? (while showing the phone # on the Sindictura card and describing the Xmas gift you give them for support thru the
years)
They have thrown my CDL back @ me three times in 60 years. I learned this behavior from my father, he did it every time he cut the line @ TJ back in
the day. Thanks DAD for not raising a Baja wimp.
Spit in the devil's eye when ever possible. |
X2
Yeah thanks Dad for showing how it’s done. 
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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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17292
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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here is info from Fideicomiso Público para la Promoción Turística del Estado de Baja California
https://www.fiturbc.org/
https://bajacalifornia.travel/travel-tips/
TRAFFIC TICKET
If you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation in Tijuana, Rosarito Beach or Ensenada, you should always politely insist on a written
citation that you could pay either at the police station or by mail.
Tickets in the City of Tijuana can be paid by sending a check or money order made out to: H. Ayuntamiento de Tijuana, 416 West San Ysidro Blvd.
Suite“L”, No.725, San Ysidro CA 92143.
Tickets issued in Rosarito Beach, can be paid by sending a check or money order made out to: H. Ayuntamiento de Rosarito, P.O. Box 439016 San Ysidro,
CA 92143-9016.
Tickets issued in Ensenada can be paid by sending a check or money order made out to: Municipio de Ensenada, PMB 147 P.O. Box 189003.
Tickets issued in Mexicali can be paid by sending a check or money order with ticket made out to: H. Ayuntamiento de Mexicali, P.B. 6027, 23 Paulin
Ave., Calexico, Ca. 92231-2646.
For the cities of San Felipe and Tecate, traffic fines must be paid at the police station.
When faced with a fine that you consider unfair, you can contest the fine by filling an appeal (Recurso de Inconformidad), either in person or in
writing, for a municipal judge to review. To do this, immediately go to the nearest municipal judge within the police station; if you need information
on how to do this, call our Tourist Assistance Hotline 078.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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John Harper
Super Nomad
Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
Member Is Offline
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How do you procure a Sindicatura card or decal? From what I read and the links posted, it seems like they are some kind of lower tier ACLU for
Mexico? An independent intermediary? Is this somewhat correct?
I looked on the Sindicatura website but saw nothing about decals, cards, or signs. Nothing about membership either, but I did not delve too deeply,
perhaps someone has a better link?
I'm interested in seeing what this operation is about, as I've seen it referenced a few times.
John
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Until you get a decal, print the one I posted and tape it to your back driver's side and rear window (if you feel the need). Cops pulling up behind or
walking to your side window will see it... Maybe they will just turn back? LOL Of course, if you actually broke a law, tough luck!
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bajajoaquin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 58
Registered: 6-28-2011
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by BajaTed | I have used my Sindictura card and expired CDL multiple times.
DON"T BE A SNOWFLAKE. Cop an attitude, let them see the change in your demeanor. This is what they know to avoid and go after people like the OP.
When asked what do you want to do to resolve this?
Ask the cop if he has a family?
Then tell him calmly his wife will kill him for loosing his job and say your sorry for what is to occur.
how you gonna do that says the cop?
Do you really want to find out? (while showing the phone # on the Sindictura card and describing the Xmas gift you give them for support thru the
years)
They have thrown my CDL back @ me three times in 60 years. I learned this behavior from my father, he did it every time he cut the line @ TJ back in
the day. Thanks DAD for not raising a Baja wimp.
Spit in the devil's eye when ever possible. |
I have two related stories. Neither of which happened to me.
1. My friend CJ's dad was a character actor (he was the first guy shot by Clint Eastwood in Joe Kidd) and had a bunch of roles in Mexican
Telenovellas. The were down in TJ one day and CJ was driving like you do in the US, and his dad goaded him into running lights. Immediately pulled
over. Cop walks up, and CJ's dad comes out of the passenger side and starts yelling at the cop about can he believe the idiot kids these days? I mean,
if he had just run the f-ing light it would have been okay, right? But it's the hesitation! What's this generation coming to?
Cop laughed and let them go.
2. Couple friends were driving behind me on our way down to the Sisters. They got stopped and I didn't. One guy was from Zimbabwe, and the other was
from the Canary Islands. When the cop comes to the window, the guy from the Canary Islands (Fermin, great guy) starts yelling at the cop. "you can't
stop us. Don't you know that I'm from the Mother Country?" Goes on like that for a while.
Cop kinda looked like a deer in the headlights and let them go.
(I also hated traveling in the same car as them through military checkpoints. Either they got to chatting about Spain, or they would talk about how
the other guy was from a place even more backward than whatever small town the soldier came from (that being Zimbabwe). Took forever to get through
the checkpoints.)
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
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many years ago when these decals were all the rage I stopped in and picked up some business cards (didn't see decals and didn't ask)this was ensenada
behind the Riviera. never had an opportunity to try one out though.
if you're looking for a sticker here.....
http://www.mikestickers.com/countries/mexico/SIND-1001.htm
[Edited on 10-30-2021 by willardguy]
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John Harper
Super Nomad
Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Until you get a decal, print the one I posted and tape it to your back driver's side and rear window (if you feel the need). Cops pulling up behind or
walking to your side window will see it... Maybe they will just turn back? LOL Of course, if you actually broke a law, tough luck!
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I'm not worried about having a decal, just interested in what this Sindicatura group is all about. And, just for all of our knowledge, are stickers,
signs, memberships, etc., available. This may help someone who thinks it's an additional measure of safe travel in Baja.
Me, I'm a liberal outlaw, you know that.
John
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