BajaNomad - tj cops get a pay raise, at everyone's expense

tj cops get a pay raise, at everyone's expense

woody with a view - 6-7-2007 at 06:18 AM

Computers to cut traffic-fine fraud

Handheld devices will accept credit cards
By Anna Cearley
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

June 7, 2007

TIJUANA – In an effort to combat corruption, Tijuana's police department is introducing a new way to pay traffic tickets: Swipe a credit card through the officer's handheld computer.

The concept is intended to prevent bribery situations in which tourists and residents either willingly, or under pressure, hand over money to officers who stop them on real or invented traffic violations.

The devices, which include Global Positioning System chips, will allow authorities in a central location to keep tabs on infractions and who is involved in the traffic stops.

“This is a frontal attack against corruption,” said Luis Javier Algorri Franco, Tijuana's secretary of public safety. “When an officer stops someone, it will be monitored.”

The program is part of the city's growing reliance on technology for public safety. The city is using more than 400 video cameras in public areas for crime prevention and 38 cameras to register speeding infractions, Algorri said.

Of about 250 traffic officers, 59 were given the devices last week. Over the next few months, Algorri expects all traffic officers will have machines.

City officials didn't provide information on the makers or cost of the devices

The officers will use the computers to report traffic violations to a central system, where a records check will determine whether the person being stopped has outstanding warrants or tickets. The machine will display the fee for the traffic violation and print out a receipt for payments.

People paying fines shouldn't give the officer their credit or debit cards. Instead, they should swipe their cards through the device themselves, Algorri said.

People can still pay tickets by mail or in person at designated collection centers, he said. They also have the right to a hearing before a municipal judge if they think they are being unfairly targeted.

A typical traffic fine for a tourist ranges from about $60 to $250, and if people pay using the handheld machine, they will get a 60 percent discount, Algorri said. To encourage officers to use the devices, they will be given 5 percent of the fees they collect from infractions.

“Technology will help us become a more secure city,” Algorri said.

[Edited on 6-7-2007 by woody in ob]

surfer jim - 6-7-2007 at 08:03 AM

How long before CREDIT CARD FRAUD starts after you use the portable machine?......

Bob and Susan - 6-7-2007 at 08:10 AM

that's not a raise...

it's "pay for performance"

excellent idea

Gosh!

Baja Bernie - 6-7-2007 at 08:10 AM

I might even apply for Mexican citizenship and come out of retirement to share in that pie.

Otherwise I will, for sure, go around TJ in the future if that happens.

Woody! I sent you my email address but have received nothing from you................???????

5%????

bajaguy - 6-7-2007 at 08:17 AM

If I received 5% for every citation I wrote, I could have retired 20 years ago.....

Blue_car.gif - 10kB

Paulina - 6-7-2007 at 08:27 AM

"Of about 250 traffic officers, 59 were given the devices last week." So, did the crooked ones get the magic money machines, or the honest ones?

"The city is using more than 400 video cameras in public areas for crime prevention and 38 cameras to register speeding infractions, Algorri said." I wonder if we can get a map of these 'safety zones' so that we can choose our routes to / from and around town?

I think I'll choose the option of mailing my payment in if I'm stopped for an infraction. They can't offer me enough of a discount to make up for credit card fraud.

P<*)))><

Bob and Susan - 6-7-2007 at 09:26 AM

you are ONLY liable for $50 or NOTHING for credit card fraud...

people worry too much about credit cards

"people worry too much about credit cards"

Baja Bernie - 6-7-2007 at 09:35 AM

How so?

Bob and Susan - 6-7-2007 at 09:39 AM

bernie

the bank is responsible for fraud NOT you...

if you take resonable care of your cards you DO NOT pay anything

Dave - 6-7-2007 at 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
you are ONLY liable for $50 or NOTHING for credit card fraud...

people worry too much about credit cards

Yeah, but have you ever reported theft on your CC...in a foreign country? They send you a new one. How long will it take to get to Mulege?

Anyone who uses a CC in Mexico is whacked. I have a small cash account with a debit card that I only use down here. I have had to have the card replaced three times. The latest was at Home Depot in TJ where they double billed the card.

If you absolutely have to use a bank card here are my suggestions:

Only at banks-to get cash- and use a teller window...NOT the ATM.

Find an internet connection and check your transactions EACH DAY.

Baja Bernie - 6-7-2007 at 10:09 AM

I learned not to us a credit card in Baja way back when they charged you 10% just to swipe it and they didn't even have swipping machines.............just wrote the card number down.

Never broke the habit..........Honest! Dave

woody with a view - 6-7-2007 at 03:45 PM

I will re-send, Bernie.

60% discount sounds real good, tho! if you DID the crime.

not so good if you didn't. :no:

DENNIS - 6-7-2007 at 03:48 PM

When Mexican cops want a raise, they just put in a few more stop signs.

Dennis

Baja Bernie - 6-7-2007 at 04:37 PM

Used to be a motor cop in Ensenada that towed his own stop sign behind him and set it up whenever and where ever he wished.

DENNIS - 6-7-2007 at 04:42 PM

Bernie -----

In his environment, how could you not like that?
When it bad, it's bad but, creativity counts for something.

Paulina - 6-7-2007 at 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
you are ONLY liable for $50 or NOTHING for credit card fraud...

people worry too much about credit cards

Dave,

Exactly! It's happened to us too. We do the debit card thing and transfer $ as needed. It's a pain the ars and not worth the troubles, for any amount.

P<*)))><

oladulce - 6-7-2007 at 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Anyone who uses a CC in Mexico is whacked. I have a small cash account with a debit card that I only use down here. I have had to have the card replaced three times. The latest was at Home Depot in TJ where they double billed the card.

If you absolutely have to use a bank card here are my suggestions:

Only at banks-to get cash- and use a teller window...NOT the ATM.

Find an internet connection and check your transactions EACH DAY.

Dave can you clarify a couple of things. When you say to use a"bank card" inside with a teller only, do you mean a credit card or an atm/debit card? Are you suggesting not to use ATM's at all?

You recommend having a debit card for purchases but you say you've had to replace it 3 times because of double charges. Why do you have to replace the card when they double charge you?

These sound like important points you're making but I must be dense because I'm not gettin' it??

Bob and Susan - 6-8-2007 at 04:15 AM

dave dave dave...

if you ONLY have one credit card you've missed the boat...
credit cards are given out like"candy on halloween" :lol:

use your credit card where ever you want...
anytime...

again...
you are not responsible for credit card fraud anywhere in the world.
that responsibilty belongs to the credit card company not you.

just...pay the bill ONTIME or before...
credit card companies make a HUGE profit on late charges for LATE payments

home depot double billing :lol:

just take the bill back to home depot and correct it...
they're NOT criminals and...mistakes happen

Bernie...the past is the past...
i NEVER see a cop towing a stop sign...
Has anyone else recently???
those days are long gone and a part of HISTORY :saint:

Pescador - 6-9-2007 at 11:36 AM

I am amazed at the flamings. Last time I checked it was an option to come to Mexico and it is what it is, I wonder why with that much complaining people don't choose to go to Texas, Arizona, or at the very least Florida?
:barf:

Bob & Susan

Baja Bernie - 6-9-2007 at 12:31 PM

Just the facts mam'am....Old, as to me--- true! As to the event just about 2 years. And I do believe that it was placed by some fool just for the humor relief factor.

Truly sorry if you didn't even crack a smile. ......"A smile cures the wounding of a frown." Shakespeare, William........

and I offer you one here for FREE!!!

Have a great Baja Day! Woops! the past is past as a building never needs a foundation!

bajalou - 6-9-2007 at 01:08 PM

Haven't tried real recently, but for a long time the local bank will NOT give any money on Debit or Credit Cards at the teller - ONLY thru the ATM.

Paulina - 6-9-2007 at 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan

.....you are telling people this is happening...

I didn't read it that way. "Used to" refers to the past, "this is happening" means right now. At least to me. Oh well. Life in baja goes on, and on, and on.....

P<*)))><

vacaenbaja - 6-10-2007 at 03:43 PM

Identity theft anyone? your license info please, credit
card please, passport identification please, gosh hope that no social security numbers can be gathered from all that.
Ever try to correct an error on your credit rating record?
You may not be responsible to pay....but you may "pay"
anyway one way or another.

vacaenbaja

Baja Bernie - 6-10-2007 at 05:10 PM

Exactly!

bajamigo - 6-10-2007 at 05:23 PM

Vacaenbaja nailed it. Simplest thing to do if you have a Wells Fargo or BofA account is visit your brach and request international privileges (no charge). Then you can withdraw pesos (up to 5000 per day per cardholder) from any corrsponding Mexican bank ATM (like Santander or Bancomer). As for the TJ cops, I wonder how much it will cost to have them NOT use the machine when they stop you.

QuePasaBaja - 6-21-2007 at 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
that's not a raise...

it's "pay for performance"

excellent idea

You can not honestly mean that. Can you imagine the things that they will come up with, just to make the extra cash.