BajaNomad - Request for current reports of Mordida in Ciudad Constitution

Request for current reports of Mordida in Ciudad Constitution

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tfinbaja - 7-8-2010 at 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto

What I find Offensive is the Attitude of some of the Posters who think :Just because I have Tourist Dollars"" I am to be treated differently.

What is being discussed here has been happening for many years in Mexico. If you think you can stop it you are misled.
There has been many changes in the past couple of years due to many things occurring that make people do Bad things. I think some of the problem in Constitution is a result of the current happenings even up here in the States as well as the Muders and Violance in the Border Cities.

I doubt very seriously if anything will come of your efforts.

Advice: Start Flying.

Skeet,

I read through the posts and no one said or implied they should be be treated differently -- they just didn't want to be harassed by police and coerced into violating Mexican law by paying bribes.

Saying that's the way things are doesn't make it right and is no reason to not try to change things. Think about US history the last 50 years (civil rights etc).

And saying "start flying" is silly. A lot of folks who actually live in Baja drive through CC to visit other towns, go whale watching, camping, fishing, surfing or move their belongings from the USA -- flying is impossible and illogical.

Obviously you have strong feelings for the people of CC and feel compelled to defend them, even though no one here has said anything negative about the people, just the police corruption.

wessongroup - 7-8-2010 at 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Thank all of you for your reports; Those Posts are well taken.

What I find Offensive is the Attitude of some of the Posters who think :Just because I have Tourist Dollars"" I am to be treated differently.

What is being discussed here has been happening for many years in Mexico. If you think you can stop it you are misled.
There has been many changes in the past couple of years due to many things occurring that make people do Bad things. I think some of the problem in Constitution is a result of the current happenings even up here in the States as well as the Muders and Violance in the Border Cities.

I know that everytime I had anything to do with Constitution and its People I was treated very Well.
I have been in Touch with my friends in Constitution and made them aware of everyones Concerns/ The Town as a Whole is biased aganist Tourists.

I doubt very seriously if anything will come of your efforts.

I think that the Good I have received out weights any of the Bad that is being talked about.

Advice: Start Flying.

Skeet/Loreto - 7-8-2010 at 03:22 PM

tfinbaja:

What "Right" do you have to try and Change things in Baja???

You are a "Guest".

Wake Up!

DENNIS - 7-8-2010 at 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
tfinbaja:

What "Right" do you have to try and Change things in Baja???
You are a "Guest".
Wake Up!

Everybody has a right to stand up to injustice. It's not an obligation for a guest to stay silent while being brutalized.
I can't believe you really believe what you're saying, Skeet.

Skeet/Loreto - 7-8-2010 at 03:40 PM

To all concerned:

I will make every effort with my Friends to see that the "unrelated Tickets for speeding" goes to the judge and he makes the Decesion.

I ask the Speeders to slow down and observe the Speed Laws even at 18 miles per Hour..

Always ask for the Judge if you think you are correct.

Advice:
Learn Spanish
Talk to the people
Learn their ways and habits
Realize that you are in another Country
Do not try to change every thing to your ideas of what is Right and Wrong

DENNIS - 7-8-2010 at 03:42 PM

G'nite, Skeet.

tfinbaja - 7-8-2010 at 03:46 PM

Skeet,

Actually I do have the right to speak and act against corruption and everyone else does too.

And I also have the right, in fact the obligation, to follow the laws of Mexico and not pay bribes.

Saying I'm trying to "change" Baja is a straw man argument. I just want to reduce this harassment of innocent people driving through a city through trumped up or phony charges.

On the other hand, what right do you have to encourage criminal activity in Baja? The president of Mexico has spoken out specifically against police corruption. Laugh all you want about it but it's a serious crime in Mexico for the police to solicit bribes and for people to pay them.

Maybe you've lived here so long, you are seeing changes (more gringos, construction etc) and that pains you. I can understand that. But I'm still not going to pay bribes.

BajaBlanca - 7-8-2010 at 03:54 PM

start flying ????? what kind of solution is that ? how absurd...si se puede - things can and should be changed. bribes are TERRIBLE. and they are hurting CC. and they must be stopped. :fire:

Bajamatic - 7-8-2010 at 04:16 PM

Close, Skeet. It SHOULD read:

Advice:
Learn the Law
Respect other people
Learn their perspectives
Realize that your opinion is not fact
Do not try to skew everything to suit your own narrow minded ideologies

comitan - 7-8-2010 at 04:24 PM

Sorry Skeet in Mexico you can ask to see the judge, but you will never see him, if you hire an Abogado he will represent you but you cannot represent yourself in front of a Judge.

DENNIS - 7-8-2010 at 04:45 PM

I think sombody's Jack Daniels alarm went off. :lol:

DavidE - 7-8-2010 at 05:05 PM

What A Farce (and I don't say that very often)

Señor you have commited an anfraccion
Como?
Manejar recio (driving hard)
I was driving at a velocity of 20 km (12 mph)
This infraccion is serious
Yawn
Pay one hundred dollars here
No, I want You to pay one hundred dollars to ME.
Quieres ir a el bote (want to go to jail)
Vamanos Entonces. Andele (Well, let's go, quickly)
Where is your license. I demand to see it and your pasaporte.
No.
MANDE! You have to give me those things! NOW!
No, vamanos a la commandancia ahorita mismo (No, let's go to the police station, instantly).
No! You will give me a hundred dollars.
No! Quiero pasa un rato con su commandante (No, I want to pass a little time with the commander).
He is not there. The station is closed.
Then I cannot go to jail, but I am retired. Please recommend to me a good hotel. I like this city (lie). I can easily spend a week here.
The commandante is on vacacciones
That's OK I can speak with the alcalde (Mayor).
Forty dollars, now.
No! This is the way it is. You give me escort out of town, now. If you do not I will stay here a month and discuss this little problem you and I have with everyone. But I am going to make sure that the commandante and the alcalde are present when I talk with the juez. Entiendes hombre?

He escorted me ten feet, flipped on the roof lights and disappeared down a side street.

I found out where the commandancia was and proceeded to have a little chat with el commandante. He was not enthused when I told him the officer (I had name, serieal number and car license) demanded FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS from me.

To deal in this system you have to be machiavellian. To the end of time the commandante is going to believe that that cop was/is screwing him out of "his" part of the take. Until the end of time the commandante will remain convinced that I am one of the very last people on the face of the earth he would wish to see again.

I've done this in San Lucas, Lazaro Card##as, Acapulco, Monclova, and Ocozocuauhtla among other places.

I shall continue to be an "Idoit" I would tend to believe.

Entonces, El Skeet tu no sabe nada de papa por las cosas ni costumbres mexicanos. Que lastima y se puede encuentra ayuda tu! Vaya!

chnlisle - 7-8-2010 at 05:08 PM

It seems to me your best course of action is to put a full court press on the US Consulate in Tijuana to issue a Warden Message on Ciudad Constitucion. Any warden message would go directly to the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Ministry and they would have to react.

ELINVESTIG8R - 7-8-2010 at 05:13 PM

So Mote it Be Brother Skeet!

Marc - 7-8-2010 at 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Hey Skeet...Do you have any photos of that waitress with the humongous hooters? This is really important. :wow:

Hooters! You should get a look at one of the gals at the Cambio in SY. :wow:

fishabductor - 7-8-2010 at 09:15 PM

maybe we can all get big sets of strap-on hooters and then no one will notice anything exept the hooters. The cops would be too busy checking out the BOOBS to bother with Morditas/extortion. However you may become a rape victim. :biggrin:

Avoid main road ?

lesd - 7-8-2010 at 09:54 PM

Looking at google sat maps and images, I see that the town is actually fairly big by Baja standards, lots of streets, dirt or other, in a grid like pattern. So couldn't I just veer off to side streets and remain several streets away from the main drag, and avoid these bozos ? Having a GPS with a good map makes me lost proof and I would know when to start getting back on the main road, at the very :light:

end of town.
Would that work ?

Marc - 7-8-2010 at 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
maybe we can all get big sets of strap-on hooters and then no one will notice anything exept the hooters. The cops would be too busy checking out the BOOBS to bother with Morditas/extortion. However you may become a rape victim. :biggrin:

Maybe we can just end this now on the light side :lol:

Bajatripper - 7-9-2010 at 02:04 PM

Quote:

I think that the Good I have received out weights any of the Bad that is being talked about.

That pretty much sums up what I thought was going on with you, Skeet. you are obviously blind to the greater reality that exists for the rest of us in this situation and no amount of reasoned thought will change that. No point in further discussions (for me, at least).

DENNIS - 7-9-2010 at 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajatripper
That pretty much sums up what I thought was going on with you, Skeet.

I think Skeet is resting.
He had an exausting day yesterday, saving souls and giving guidance.
He'll be back after a short nap....two or three months.

Skeet/Loreto - 7-9-2010 at 03:24 PM

Tripper: Resonable thought??? On people who break the Speeding laws, then complain when they have to pay a Sum of Money for Breaking the Law??
Come on Junior think about it. Use your Young Brain. No one admitted to Speeding. Is that not strange or is that resonable as most Calif. Americanos are Speeders.

You or anyone cannot go through that Town unless you speed a little, Its just that they are Americanos and they get picked out as :Americanos owe Mexicanos as they Stole Calf. AZ, New Mesico and Texas Oh so many years ago.

I do not Condem their actions. I accept it and enjoy the "Good' things about Constitution.

Dennis, for Once you are Wrong! I cannot save any Souls! That is up to the person alone./ But I can urge them to Think about their Wors and actions and try to live a Positive Life. Be an Adventurer!!

Don:t Sweat the Small Stuff- $40 for a Speeding is small Stuff.

DENNIS - 7-9-2010 at 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto

Dennis, for Once you are Wrong! I cannot save any Souls! That is up to the person alone./ But I can urge them to Think about their Wors and actions and try to live a Positive Life. Be an Adventurer!!

OK...Skeeter. Thanks for that.
Now I can go to Sharky's and think about what I'm going to do with all that land I stole. :lol:

fishabductor - 7-9-2010 at 03:57 PM

Where is Mesico?

We stole Calfs? I thought cattle rustling was a serious crime way back when. :lol:

[Edited on 7-9-2010 by fishabductor]

comitan - 7-9-2010 at 04:13 PM

Skeet

I think you just foaled a CALF. :lol:

kaybaj - 7-9-2010 at 04:21 PM

do this skeet feller git a cut from cc cops? :lol:

mtgoat666 - 7-9-2010 at 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Tripper: Resonable thought??? On people who break the Speeding laws, then complain when they have to pay a Sum of Money for Breaking the Law??
Come on Junior think about it. Use your Young Brain. No one admitted to Speeding. Is that not strange or is that resonable as most Calif. Americanos are Speeders.

You or anyone cannot go through that Town unless you speed a little, Its just that they are Americanos and they get picked out as :Americanos owe Mexicanos as they Stole Calf. AZ, New Mesico and Texas Oh so many years ago.

I do not Condem their actions. I accept it and enjoy the "Good' things about Constitution.

Dennis, for Once you are Wrong! I cannot save any Souls! That is up to the person alone./ But I can urge them to Think about their Wors and actions and try to live a Positive Life. Be an Adventurer!!

Don:t Sweat the Small Stuff- $40 for a Speeding is small Stuff.

you go, girl!

i agree that the people being ticketed probably don't drive too well, probably unaware of their poor driving, speeding, missing stop signs, swerving, etc. (or in denial).

skeet, i think your typing is probably better than your driving :lol:

[Edited on 7-9-2010 by mtgoat666]

Marc - 7-9-2010 at 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kaybaj
do this skeet feller git a cut from cc cops? :lol:

Maybe he can fix our tickets. :biggrin:

desertcpl - 7-9-2010 at 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc

Quote:

Originally posted by kaybaj
do this skeet feller git a cut from cc cops? :lol:

Maybe he can fix our tickets. :biggrin:

yup but it will cost you $20 dollars

[Edited on 7-10-2010 by desertcpl]

Skeet/Loreto - 7-10-2010 at 07:16 AM

Flyfish: When you come backfrom your Fishing Trip on the Columbia;
The biggest Salmon I ever caught was a Mile off the Pierr at Ilwacko. 32 Lbs.

All the Cazy weak minded Nuts have surgaced out of their Bucket of Scum to make this Thread Unwirthy of yours and mines involvement.

Sorry about that, this day and age it is difficult to find any of these Young Whimps with any Brains or Sense.

Anyway; I appalud your efforts to change things in Constitution, Good Luck.

Remember that if you have any Medical Problems while near there, they have excellent Medical. Also take some Jackets for the Kids.
Most of the people are good hard working Farmer Folks.

Skeet/Loreto

fishabductor - 7-10-2010 at 07:39 AM

Why do they need jackets. I thought they were doing just fine selling corn and had no interest in Tourists????

backninedan - 7-10-2010 at 08:51 AM

Perhaps we can pay the crooked cops with jackets? Maybe just an old pair of underwear for lesser infractions.....

fishabductor - 7-10-2010 at 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by backninedan
Perhaps we can pay the crooked cops with jackets? Maybe just an old pair of underwear for lesser infractions.....

Thats why packoderm had 2 pairs of underwear on his LIST of what to bring to baja!!!

Iflyfish - 7-10-2010 at 02:11 PM

Still fishing, pirate wifi, bad signal, thanks for keeping thread alive.

If you have experienced Police Extortion in Ciudad Constitution in the recent past please report it ti ACS, address in earlier post. Also please U2U me and let me know you have done this. Also if you feel comfortable please report your experience, both good and bad to this thread. We don't want this issue to die.

Tag, your it!

Iflyfish

Skeet/Loreto - 7-10-2010 at 02:51 PM

Suggestion:

Anyone going through Constitution. Have a couple of Suitcases of Warm Jackets. ID the Suitcase with Large letters as Jackets for Warm Jackets for Cold Kids to the Director General Hospital. When the Officer stops you, show him the paper and Suitcases and ask him directions to the Hospital.

At most Schools in the States you can go to the Lost and Found and they will give you many Jackets Free.

Just think, you might be helping a Kid keep warm. getting out of paying the Bribe, and it should only cost you a little time,

I have spread the word in Constitution, Officers will be on the look our for the Clothes.

Skeet/Loreto

Bajahowodd - 7-10-2010 at 03:58 PM

Let me get this right. The new justification for stopping passing vehicles is to ascertain whether they may have jackets? I suppose that in a larger sense, channeling Robin Hood might work. :lol:

fishabductor - 7-15-2010 at 04:04 PM

bump

BajaOkie - 7-15-2010 at 05:41 PM

Skeet?Loreto?

I never speed because of what I drive but I need to go through Cd. Constitucion early next week. How would you approach this knowing I have been pulled over before for (NO, not speeding, but "someone in the intersection").

This is not a joke I am concerned about driving through. I rescept officers of the law and hate to have to go through this.

Thank you for your thoughts

desertcpl - 7-15-2010 at 07:38 PM

no problemo

Mr Skeet will fix your problemo for $20. US

[Edited on 7-16-2010 by desertcpl]

Lee - 9-5-2010 at 09:22 PM

I wonder what's happening in CC? Awfully quiet these days.

dtbushpilot - 9-5-2010 at 09:48 PM

I drove through a few days ago. I chose not to go down the middle lanes, I went to the right and cruised slowly along with the local traffic. At one point there was a cop in front of me so I stayed behind him and he turned off at the last street in town. I didn't encounter any problems.....dt

oxxo - 9-6-2010 at 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee
I wonder what's happening in CC? Awfully quiet these days.

I drove through Constitucion 2 weeks ago, right down the center lanes. Saw lots of cops, both local and Federales. Obeyed all the rules. No one bothered us.

Marc - 9-6-2010 at 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
Where is Mesico?

[Edited on 7-9-2010 by fishabductor]

That's where Mescins live. :lol:

[Edited on 9-6-2010 by Marc]

Iflyfish - 9-6-2010 at 07:18 AM

Good one!! Wonder if the problem has slowed or stopped? We at least have a clear way to deal with this problem if it occurs. Thanks for the posts and for re-upping this thread.

Iflyfish

Rosemaria - 9-6-2010 at 07:41 AM

i wonder if the missing couple, mat and melissa, ran into this - thus being broke in CC and calling home finally

oldlady - 9-6-2010 at 08:25 AM

I think we all are, fish. But it is reasonable to assume that their families may still be reading the board and perhaps we should withhold our conjectures and judgments, some of which can get pretty creative, out of sensitivity to their feelings.

Just a thought.

Bajatripper - 9-6-2010 at 09:39 AM

I drove through last Friday in a car that just screamed "TOURIST" at the top of its lungs and had no problem. I took the side lane and observed the speed limit which, of course, likely gets one noticed since we seemed to be the only ones who respected the limit.

Perhaps the message is getting through?

MitchMan - 9-6-2010 at 12:37 PM

Bajatripper, just curious, was it a Volvo or a late model 300 series BMW? Also, in the Big OC, Mexican is pronounced "Metsikkin".

Iflyfish - 9-6-2010 at 12:40 PM

What we have learned from this experiment in Nomad Social Networking is the following:

We are an excellent source of information and support to each other and there is power in Social Networking using the internet.

If you are stopped by a policeman in CC and they try to extort money from you , this approach that has been used successfully to stop this crime.

Come to a complete stop at ALL intersections, look both ways to make sure no pedestrians in cross walks. Follow the 18 mph speed limit. If stopped do the following:
1. stay calm, take your time
2. ask for name and badge number, write these down, do not surrender your drivers license
3. let cop know you are calling Sr. Villalejos, Sub-director de Policia, at 613-100-1910
4. insist that you go to the station NOW and deal with the fine
5. Since the police office is reportedly closed on Sunday, travel thru Ciudad Constitution on M-Sat.
6. remain calm, confident and clear. Follow thru.
7. Drive in the right hand lane and look local, don't make eye contact with a cop.
8. Let every one you know that there is a serious problem with police extortion on the ONLY highway that connects Baja N with Baja S and that each day the city of Ciudad Constitution loses thousands of dollars in lost revenue because of this.

Keep posting your experiences so we all can benefit from your experience.

Iflyfish

oxxo - 9-6-2010 at 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iflyfish
Follow the 18 mph speed limit.

When I drove through there 2 weeks ago, the center lanes were posted at 40kph or about 25mph. :?:

[Edited on 9-6-2010 by oxxo]

DENNIS - 9-6-2010 at 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo
When I drove through there 2 weeks ago, the center lanes were posted at 30kph or about 25mph. :?:

More [or less] like 18 mph.
I'm seeing a weak link in our self-rightousness. :lol:

oxxo - 9-6-2010 at 02:06 PM

Lo siento, I meant 40kph. Gracias for pointing out my error.

Iflyfish - 9-6-2010 at 02:18 PM

oxxo,

There has been discussion of this issue and I can well understand your confusion :?:

This speed was recommended as a precaution. I think it was Skeet who said it was 18mph, may be wrong, but never heard of anyone being stopped for driving under the limit in Ciudad Constitution :light:

Iflyfish

Bajatripper - 9-7-2010 at 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan
Bajatripper, just curious, was it a Volvo or a late model 300 series BMW? Also, in the Big OC, Mexican is pronounced "Metsikkin".

Mitchman
No, that hardware is much too rich for my blood. My toys of choice are things I picked up years ago, when they were still cheap. In this case, it was a bright red 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto spider, probably the only one in Baja. It not only screamed "tourist," but, considering how hard parts are to come by, I think the "stupid" was implied. What more inviting target for the seekers of our mordidas in that fabled destination?

BFS - 9-7-2010 at 12:41 PM

i drove through last week, once going north, then once coming back south a few days later in a truck piled high with boards and assorted camping equipment. I saw lots of the white policia trucks and was certain on the southbound leg they were going to pull us over as they were tailing us for a long while down the center lane, but they didnt pull us over. Phew! Had a really nice meal at the restaurant towards the south end of town whose name I cannot recollect but translates to "Goofy", the disney character.

Iflyfish - 9-7-2010 at 12:44 PM

Excellent, maybe time to start spending some time and money in Ciudad Constitution.

Keep the reports coming.

Iflyfish

flyfishinPam - 9-8-2010 at 08:08 AM

We drove through and around CC last wed sept 1 also went to san carlos and back through cc again and had no problems at all with the policia. I was driving an alamo rental car. I drove through through the center road and stopped at all the signs and paid attention to the signals. My husband wasn't wearing his seat belt but he does not know about this thread either. We stopped to shop and eat in a couple of restaurants and we had no problems, in fact it was a pleasure. I appreciate the people of constitucion they are hard workers and good businesspersons and extremely friendly. the shops and restaurants we went into were clean, a nice difference from what we're used to in Loreto. I know since the town if officially broke it is difficult for a lot of people but its not their fault. We're going back through in a couple of weeks and plan to stimulate their economy again.

Iflyfish - 9-8-2010 at 08:19 AM

Excellent!! So glad to hear this. It is time to spend some cash in Ciudad Constitution!!

Thanks for the post.

Iflyfish

Alan - 9-8-2010 at 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iflyfish
Excellent!! So glad to hear this. It is time to spend some cash in Ciudad Constitution!!

Thanks for the post.

Iflyfish

I certainly plan to and when I do, I plan to let the store and restaurant owners know why I refused to stop before and thank them for getting their policia under control so I can continue to stop in the future,

Iflyfish - 9-8-2010 at 11:38 AM

I have sent a link to this site to a prominant business in Ciudad Constitution.

For behavior to continue it needs to be reinforced. It is an excellent idea to contact those who you have communicated with about police extortion in Ciudad Constitution and let them know you see a change and plan to now spend money in their town.

The more people we can send this message to the more likely this change will continue. Great idea to talk long and loud about this brave community and its confrontation of corruption. Good idea to spend money.

The extortion may continue, it is harder to prove the absence of something than to prove its existance. It will, regardless of the circumstances, do us all good to keep this issue front and center with the local businesses. Mentioning the issue keeps it alive in peoples minds.

Thank you Alan!

Iflyfishhopefully

DENNIS - 9-8-2010 at 11:55 AM

Too early for a reprieve.

Just say "No"

Mulegena - 9-15-2010 at 08:27 AM

Just when I thought it was safe again...

we got hit up by the local cops in Constitution yesterday.

What a shame!

Going north just out of town as the two lanes converge back to Mx.-1 . They zoomed up alongside, tooted the horn. We pulled over when safe out on the highway within walking distance of the Federales Station.

We did nothing wrong to warrant this stop and were both clear in our minds we were not going to entertain this for very long. They have no jurisdiction out on the highway beyond the city limits anyway.

We pretended to not understand Spanish.
Kept saying "No" when they tried naming one road infraction after another in poor, poor Spanglish. Did not react when they said we would have to come to the station tomorrow or when they said they wanted the license plate to ensure we'd be there. We kept saying "No. We're going to Mulege now."

The main cop finally said, "Its just a little infraction." He was smart enough never to suggest we pay him (not to be accused of extortion) I'm assuming with the thought that we would offer to settle on the spot just to make the problem go away, but...

"No. We're going now." is all we said...

and we drove away! All in all it took 5 minutes, we didn't get upset, the cop didn't lose too much face and certainly didn't get any money.

I do have the phone number for the local police station on my cellphone and do keep a colored copy of my drivers license to present in these situations, never the real one.

Remember, stay cool, be prepared and polite and just say "No".

bill erhardt - 9-15-2010 at 09:01 AM

Mulegena.......Perfect!
Three times I've been stopped in Constitucion under similar circumstances, and never has a peso changed hands, nor a ticket issued.
Simply refusing to play their game, and having a copy of a US drivers license at the ready to sacrifice to the cause, if necessary, will usually send them on their way to look for an easier mark. And, if they want to keep the phony license, demanding a signed reciept (recibo) for it will usually get it returned to you......

Nice story

Lee - 9-15-2010 at 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulegena
......."No. We're going now." is all we said...

and we drove away! All in all it took 5 minutes, we didn't get upset, the cop didn't lose too much face and certainly didn't get any money.

I do have the phone number for the local police station on my cellphone and do keep a colored copy of my drivers license to present in these situations, never the real one.

Remember, stay cool, be prepared and polite and just say "No".

Wow. This is text book scenario for what to do in case of a scam stop (which I differentiate from a legitimate traffic infraction).

You done good. A scam is a scam. Play dumb or not. Keep saying NO to everything. No, no, and, no.

Tell them where you are going, and tell them you're leaving.

Give them a photo copy of your license, or a throw away license.

Outstanding.

JoeJustJoe - 9-26-2010 at 11:53 AM

I think paying a mordida is a personal choice. It's great if you could stand up to a corrupt Mexican cop and demand he write you the ticket or take you to see the judge and stand your ground about giving in and paying a bribe. However, if you are in a hurry, and don't want to put up with their shake down techniques then I see nothing wrong with pay a small bribe if you can get it reduced to something like $20 dollars.

I did both. I stood up to the corrupt cops, and other times when I probably wasn't entirely innocent myself I had paid a bribe as I was tiring of the cops tour of the city and just broken down and gave each cops a small bribe.

Whatever you do don't let what you read on a forum determine your behavior with a corrupt Mexican cop, because it's been my experience when members are alone with a corrupt Mexican cops their behavior is a lot different then what they report on their favorite forum. I don't know most of you, so I'll give my opinion what I see on other forums regarding this subject.

I flat out don't believe some of the stories I hear, because almost all the stories I hear these guys make the corrupt cops mostly in Tijuana back down all the time. It makes me think why these TJ cops even bother shaking down these guys because every time they end up with egg on their face and get nothing.....or do they? You should hear some of the stories I have heard. They are just so over-the-top and the thing is other members believe them, and always give them a pat on the back, " hey great going John Doe, you are the man!" Yeah right. I find very few forum members in Mexico ever report how they were scared and paid the corrupt Mexican cop what he wanted, and if they ever do......they get attacked by others because of it.( hey you should have stood up for yourself.)

Where I'm from in Tijuana the TJ cops use to shake down a lot of gringos in years past under the Hank Rhon, administration. Under Torres, and Leyzaola the conditions have greatly improved where it's rare that even gringos get shaken down any more. Although I don't like Leyzaola's techniques. I do give him credit for lowering the amount of corrupt TJ cops that use to do this sort of thing, but I'm against him torturing citizens, and randomly picking up rough looking Mexican on the street who hasn't even committed any crime, except look like an ratero or gang-banger.( these guys have rights too)

But I did use to enjoy the stories about different techniques guys would would use to keep the corrupt Mexican cops away from them. One of my favorite was the " Sindicatura " card they would either throw in the cops face like a person would show a cross to a vampire to get them to leave, or they would casually drop the card, or let the cop find it, and supposedly the corrupt cops would leave them alone when they would see he card. I'm sure it did work sometimes, but not always.

[Edited on 9-26-2010 by JoeJustJoe]

Skeet/Loreto - 9-26-2010 at 12:29 PM

Joe; I appreciate you words about TJ/

The thing many people do not understand is that it all over Mexico that these things happen, It is basically the same.

I Have been going to Baja Sur Mexico sine 1967 in my on plane then later many, many trips throgh TJ. I have only paid Morida twice, both times I was speeding and fugured it was not worth the drive as the Cop only wanted $20,.

What you also have to see is that there are some of the Visitors who come to Baja and want to be treated, and demand they be treated like the States or Canada.

It happens in the States each day when some feels as if they have been mistreated they get a bunch of Loud, Shouting Diaperheads and start making Noise until they get their way.

Police corruption in Constitucion — here is helpful info.

Marla Daily - 12-2-2010 at 03:35 PM

I received this email today written by Dia Morales about the police corruption problem in Constitucion. She writes:

I would like to give you some very important information you need. After a meeting with the Director of the Police in Loreto I had the opportunity to express the problem with the corrupted police in Constitution that are asking money to the tourist especially if they are driving car rentals. He was very supportive and he immediately called the Constitution Director of the police. I made the general claim to him on behalf of my American/ Canadian clients, friends and tourists, because as a Mexican I feel responsible to help with this injustice.

He told me if anybody has problems of this kind they should say to the police officers to call:

LICENCIADO MIGUEL ANGEL VILLALEJO ( The director of the police in Constitution ) and let them know that you have his private cellular numbe r in case you need to call him anytime 24 hours. ( I'm not publishing his cellular number for obvious reasons but I will be happy to provide it in case you need it).

Or call to the 066 number and generate an official report.

He apologizes with the American and Canada community of Loreto and he invites everybody to report this kind of situation; don't give any money to the police officers, take the police plate car number and the name of the officer.

I hope this helps.

Dia Morales, 135 2431

Sunman - 12-2-2010 at 06:30 PM

FYI His number has been posted previously by iflyfish near the beginning of this post.

BajaNomad - 12-2-2010 at 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sunman
FYI His number has been posted previously by iflyfish...

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=49294#pid5695...

dtutko1 - 12-3-2010 at 07:20 AM

We just passed thru last friday at about noon, not one cop seen anywhere. Made sure to make a full stop at every stopsign. No shopping or gas or oranges bought. Military checkpoint north of La Paz is no longer military, just ag.

Phil S - 12-3-2010 at 08:40 AM

We drove through Constitution about a week & a half ago, and followed others directions as to what to do. No problema's. Just drive a little under the speed limit. Watch for the stop lights, and if there is no stop light, stop for the stop sign. Lot's of lights now through this town. Use the center lanes. DON't use the 'local' lanes, as it will be slow, and many stops, and many cars. We've never had any problems driving through in the past 24 years we've been comiing down. Including days that we just drove around town shopping. Nice town if you like big towns. And my gosh, driving into Cabo and seeing the housing units from the top of the hill is a real eye opener. Everyone seems to have a job down here??????

BMG - 12-3-2010 at 04:16 PM

Drove through Constitution on Nov 30. Headed off the main road 3 or 4 blocks until we were passed the divided highway section. Very little traffic but some at the cross streets. Heading back to the main highway a motorcycle cop turned off onto the street we were on. I saw him look down at our plate and watched him make a u-turn and chirp the siren. I immediately pulled over and he stopped by the driver's window. He asked what we were looking for in English. I said we were just going to La Paz. He smiled and said 'have a good day' and off we went.

DENNIS - 12-4-2010 at 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BMG
I saw him look down at our plate and watched him make a u-turn and chirp the siren. I immediately pulled over and he stopped by the driver's window. He asked what we were looking for in English. I said we were just going to La Paz. He smiled and said 'have a good day' and off we went.

He must have had that sudden urge to go fishing for that "Open Container" species.

Alan - 12-4-2010 at 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulegena

"No. We're going now." is all we said...

and we drove away! All in all it took 5 minutes, we didn't get upset, the cop didn't lose too much face and certainly didn't get any money.

Gutsy move! Happy it turned out well for you but not sure it's one I would recommend to anybody. Remember this discussion is about the corrupt cops of CC. Are you that confident you know the level of their corruption? Are you that confident that it wasn't a valid stop?

My advice is still to comply with the officer but insist he write the ticket or follow him to the station to pay the fine. I know they have been posted here before and the actual fines are very low by anyone's standards. Certainly much less than mordida. 95% of the time they give up and send you on your way.

Just for the record. When I drove through there last June I took the center lanes, kept my speed to 25 KPH and stopped at every intersection without incident.

[Edited on 12-4-2010 by Alan]

rebob - 12-6-2010 at 06:56 PM

We were through Ciudad Constitucion four times in the past month. Went just below speed limit, stopped at all stop signs and appropriate lights, and didn't have any issues.

We did see a motorhome fly through a stop sign and a motorcycle police officer was following him with lights on for several blocks.

Also saw the policia out with ticket books in hand near the Bodega Aurrera stopping traffic. They only seemed to be stopping the local wrecks...

[Edited on 12-7-2010 by rebob]

windgrrl - 12-6-2010 at 08:17 PM

Drove through Sunday. Looked carefully for and observed all traffic signs & signals. One police car on the outskirts of town. Gave us a good once over. Drove the speed limit until we saw the Mex. 1 speed posted again. Drivers turning left were cautious.

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