BajaNomad

Two for Four in Ciudad Constitution

ncampion - 5-22-2010 at 04:21 PM

We recently had the "opportunity" of driving through Constitution on our way to La Paz in the past couple of weeks. Of the four "passes" through town we were pulled over by the local police twice. Both times we were set up for the bribe in the usual manner. The first time we gave in and paid the guy on site as we needed to get on our way and not spend another hour or two at the police station. However it then happend a second time returning from La Paz. This time I was being as careful as possible when passing through - I think I was the only person actually doing 40 kph through town. However we got pulled over again on a totally trumped up charge (there were three women in the cross walk while we went through he intersection) There was no one anywhere near the intersection. This time we resisted and denied the accusation and demanded to go to the police station. They said "OK, follow me" We followed them around the corner and down a residential block where they stopped and came back to our car and told us the police station was closed and we would have to come back tomorrow, they would keep our license to be sure we came back. It was about 4:00pm. Both my wife and I threw a fit and demanded to go to the station immediately. We caused such a comotion that the guy wound up telling us to," just go away, go back to Loreto". They then drove off in a cloud of dust. Constitution has got to have the most corupt police force in Baja Sur. No gringos live there and they know that a US license plate is an easy mark. I wish there was a way around that town. Does anyone know how to get through on back roads?

[Edited on 5-26-2010 by ncampion]

k-rico - 5-22-2010 at 04:37 PM

How big of a bite was the first time? Someone posted today about a $400 payoff in Cabo for expired plates. Shocking.

Bajahowodd - 5-22-2010 at 04:52 PM

K-rico- It's Cabo. Cops down there expect just about everyone to be a rich gringo. Not to mention that they set up a trap on the road to the airport figuring that people don't want to miss their planes. Criminal genius. As for Constitucion, While we personally have never been hassled there, it does appear that especially since the hurricane, the damage, and the failure of the traffic lights, things have gotten much worse for gringos passing through. I think that basically, ncampion nailed it. Anyone not having BCS plates is fair game for the crooked cops.

monoloco - 5-22-2010 at 05:03 PM

I hear a lot of bad press about Cabo but I've never been hassled there in 25 years, I have had the cops in Constitution try and extort me though. Just remember, if you are obstinate you can usually get off for very little or nothing. As you found out the second time, last thing they want to deal with is a gringo that is going to be a pain in the keester, they are looking for easy marks.

Frank - 5-22-2010 at 06:14 PM

Anyone know where in Constitution the Police station is ?

ncampion - 5-22-2010 at 10:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
How big of a bite was the first time? Someone posted today about a $400 payoff in Cabo for expired plates. Shocking.


It was dirt cheap. We were told the fine would be $180 pesos at the police station but it was only $100 on the spot, but we would not get a receipt --- duh............

rhintransit - 5-23-2010 at 05:39 AM

four people from my small community of El Juncalito/Pto Escondido have been stopped on six occasions in the past two weeks (yes, two twice). the mordida police are back in force. I don't know how to avoid being stopped, but the key to avoiding the bribe is to refuse, as above. pitch a fit, whatever. one person asked for a ticket and said they would return the next day. they were allowed to go on their way without a bribe. ask for a ticket...some police are bluffing by 'writing' them on a quarter sheet of blank paper. IF you can get a name, badge number, vehicle number time/date, etc you can try reporting it to Sr Villalejos, Sub-director de Policia, at 613-100-1910.

the police station is located on the street parallel to the highway on the east side. it's south of the main town but three or four blocks north of Ley's (you can't get there from Ley's, the road doesn't do that far south). it might be a good bluff to say you know where it is and head that direction. it IS open every day except Sunday I hear. .

shari - 5-23-2010 at 06:52 AM

that is a great idea to know where the cop shop is and say you'll go there...even if it is closed. Also it would be great when confronted to pull out your cell phone and tell him you just want to check with el jefe Sr.Villalejos.
Here we have the cell phone of our favorite policia in case we need him and the shop is closed for siesta.

capt. mike - 5-23-2010 at 07:26 AM

mexcio is a 3rd world CORRUPT country, get to know it - deal with it and enjoy it for what it has otherwise or don't come.
and the authorities really could care less or they would come down harder on it.
it is an outrage to me that so many [left leaning] here want to point fingers at USA cops ENFORCING valid laws against illegal immigration claiming they are all manner of racists you name it...like Joe Arpaio et al, but few will exclaim major disdain for crooked mexican cops who practice basic extortion - bunch of low life thugs if you ask me, no better than cartel hoodlums.

when it happens to me i tell them i want to see the judge immediately, usually shuts them up.

durrelllrobert - 5-23-2010 at 08:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
it is an outrage to me that so many [left leaning] here want to point fingers at USA cops ENFORCING valid laws ....

...to get the turist dollars for the city? In Colorado Springs I waited for the green arrow to make my left turn in front of 2 motorcycle cops that were parked there. Half way into the intersection a box van in front of me stopped and the arrow turned red. After I cleared the intersection the cop stopped me and wrote ticket for illegal left turn. I went back to the same intersection about 10 minutes later and parked about 25 yards behind the same cops and watched, and took pictures, for a half-hour while the same box van "stalled" in intersection time after time and another driver was cited.
I went to court with pictures in hand to plead not guilty by reason ofd entrapment but the judge refused to look at pictures and told me I would have to either plead guilty and pay a$75 fine or post a $500 deposit and come back in 30 days to hear my not guilty plea. Obviously I changed plea to guilty since I dsidn't want to drive 1100 miles or fly back to Colorado Springs just to make my point:fire::fire::fire:

TMW - 5-23-2010 at 09:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
it is an outrage to me that so many [left leaning] here want to point fingers at USA cops ENFORCING valid laws ....

...to get the turist dollars for the city? In Colorado Springs I waited for the green arrow to make my left turn in front of 2 motorcycle cops that were parked there. Half way into the intersection a box van in front of me stopped and the arrow turned red. After I cleared the intersection the cop stopped me and wrote ticket for illegal left turn. I went back to the same intersection about 10 minutes later and parked about 25 yards behind the same cops and watched, and took pictures, for a half-hour while the same box van "stalled" in intersection time after time and another driver was cited.
I went to court with pictures in hand to plead not guilty by reason ofd entrapment but the judge refused to look at pictures and told me I would have to either plead guilty and pay a$75 fine or post a $500 deposit and come back in 30 days to hear my not guilty plea. Obviously I changed plea to guilty since I dsidn't want to drive 1100 miles or fly back to Colorado Springs just to make my point:fire::fire::fire:


Bob something like that should be turned over to the local news media, paper, radio, TV etc. Also send it to the military bases there.

David K - 5-23-2010 at 09:05 AM

Okay, so how can people avoid going through the un-constitutional city of Ciudad Constitucion?


Udo - 5-23-2010 at 10:32 AM

Pretty tough, David, Huh?:no:

Perhaps following a googlemaps route a few blocks to the east or west.
The AAA map doesn't show diddly:?:

David K - 5-23-2010 at 11:13 AM

Right Udo... unless you want to take the route towards Mision San Luis Gonzaga from north of Constitucion, then back to Hwy. 1. I am sure on Google Earth you can see shorter routes around Un-constitucional!

Friday, May 21st

LaTijereta - 5-23-2010 at 02:00 PM

I drove through there twice on Friday from Loreto to La Paz..and back..
Stayed in the center lanes through town..
No issues, towing a trailer both ways..
Stopped at signals/ intersections as marked, and saw city PD trucks on frontage streets alongside me.

I think everything seemed fine:cool:

Re: Cabo

Bajahowodd - 5-23-2010 at 02:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
I hear a lot of bad press about Cabo but I've never been hassled there in 25 years, I have had the cops in Constitution try and extort me though. Just remember, if you are obstinate you can usually get off for very little or nothing. As you found out the second time, last thing they want to deal with is a gringo that is going to be a pain in the keester, they are looking for easy marks.


I share your good fortune in Cabo. Been driving around there since the late '80s. Just seems that anecdotal evidence would support a relatively recent change in climate.

And as for Constitucion, I've always stayed in the center lanes (since they were developed) and have not been hassled.

[Edited on 5-23-2010 by Bajahowodd] (once for feeble spelling)

[Edited on 5-23-2010 by Bajahowodd]

Udo - 5-23-2010 at 03:30 PM

Ciudad Constitucion sounds like (their) version of the Arizona mess... discrimination and racial profiling... but this time agains against Americans.

ncampion - 5-23-2010 at 05:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by LaTijereta
I drove through there twice on Friday from Loreto to La Paz..and back..
Stayed in the center lanes through town..
No issues, towing a trailer both ways..
Stopped at signals/ intersections as marked, and saw city PD trucks on frontage streets alongside me.

I think everything seemed fine:cool:


I also was in the center lanes, under the speed limit, watching carefully for pedestrains and stopping at all lights/stop signs. Like I said - four trips, two bogus tickets. In Loreto, the cops are friendly and helpful. They never shakedown locals or gringos. What ever they are doing here, it works. Constitution just sucks, too bad they have a great Ley market and lots of good building supply stores.

[Edited on 5-24-2010 by ncampion]

Skeet/Loreto - 5-23-2010 at 05:21 PM

nccmpion:
When you approach Constitution from the north, at the first stop Light, trun left and go 2 blocks to the West, go through town on that steet, then when you reach the dead end go right back to the Hwy and go South to La paz. Should have no trouble.

vandenberg - 5-23-2010 at 05:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
nccmpion:
When you approach Constitution from the north, at the first stop Light, trun left and go 2 blocks to the West,


Must have a different compass.:?::?:

irenemm - 5-23-2010 at 05:54 PM

Report this to the Tourism office and let the Mexican Consul know that you will not be returning to Mexico. Tell them you have been away for the last 2 years but have decided to return. But with this kind of treatment you will stay at home with your money. Let them know your money is needed in the United States. With enough complaints it will stop. I would make a point to go the the Police station and file a complaint next time in town.
It is always good to call the bluff most of the time they will let you go. But report it. Keep track of the time and get Badge and Name.
Tourism will respond Baja need the money. Not just the bad cops.

doradodan - 5-23-2010 at 06:43 PM

drove through to and from LaPaz no stoplights, just stopped at the intersections. No problem. We'll see next year.

Pescador - 5-24-2010 at 05:31 AM

We were going through Constitucion several years ago and almost got sideswiped by a New Cadillac Escalade with fancy chrome wheels and Baja plates. The guy started yelling and when he came around the block and started hollering, I of course started looking for the police, especially since this guy was wearing enough gold to pass as a Mister T starter set. Well, I needn't worry long because as they pulled over and stopped out of the back seat came the seargent of the local police force. When he started to shake me down I became really irate and said I was not going to pay any fine and that if he wanted to charge me for something (he claimed I did not stop properly) then that was fine, because I would tell the judge how well I stopped, how well my wife saw me stop, and if he had not been in the back seat of this obvious drug-mobile, he would have seen it too. And maybe, just maybe, the Justicia would like to know exactly what his connection was with this "Mister T" character. My wife was pulling on my sleeve and telling me to settle down or we were all going to get thrown in jail. He handed me back my license and suggested that I quickly exit town and not come back, which I was only too happy to comply with.
The end of the saga was when the same "Mister T Lookalike" was arrested as one of the big cartel members in Ensenada a year later.

durrelllrobert - 5-24-2010 at 10:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by irenemm
Report this to the Tourism office and let the Mexican Consul know that you will not be returning to Mexico. Tell them you have been away for the last 2 years but have decided to return. But with this kind of treatment you will stay at home with your money. Let them know your money is needed in the United States. With enough complaints it will stop. I would make a point to go the the Police station and file a complaint next time in town.
It is always good to call the bluff most of the time they will let you go. But report it. Keep track of the time and get Badge and Name.
Tourism will respond Baja need the money. Not just the bad cops.

I have a SINDICATURA SOS sticker on my windshield and another one with TJ and Ensenada phone numbers glued on the back of my DL. When ever I'm stopped I hand it to cop with that side up. SINDICATURA also provides complaint form to report attempted mordida, etc.

SINDICATURA is an organization that you can join for $25.00 that will get you a SOS sticker for your car if you are driving in Mexico, as well as a few other packet items. The sticker loudly announces to the Mexican cops and officials that you are a member of Support Our Sindicatura. The Sindicatura is a Mexican government organization whose purpose is to fight corruption among the police and other public officials. So you put one of these stickers on your car or truck and, reportedly, the shake-down cops will leave you alone. With “mordida” prices experiencing rapid inflation in recent years (basically, whatever you have in your wallet), the $25.00 sticker is a smart investment. You can request a packet by writing to: Support of Sindicatura, 7349 Millikin Avenue #140-234, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. Or email sosindicatura@hotmail.com

durrelllrobert - 5-24-2010 at 10:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by irenemm
Report this to the Tourism office and let the Mexican Consul know that you will not be returning to Mexico. Tell them you have been away for the last 2 years but have decided to return. But with this kind of treatment you will stay at home with your money. Let them know your money is needed in the United States. With enough complaints it will stop. I would make a point to go the the Police station and file a complaint next time in town.
It is always good to call the bluff most of the time they will let you go. But report it. Keep track of the time and get Badge and Name.
Tourism will respond Baja need the money. Not just the bad cops.

Here is SINDICATURA form to use for reporting this kinda stuff:
.

Complaints

The department of Internal Affairs for the sindicatura municipality of Tijuana is authorized to safeguard the legality, honesty and efficiency of all public servants; and the assistance they provide to Mexican and foreign citizens.

We are ready to help you in a professional manner.

Any Mexican national or foreigner can use the format provided below, to file a complaint against police officers or any other public servant.

Note: Any information provided will be appended to the complaint in order to support the investigation. The complaint will be resolved if the officer o public servant is found responsible. We recommend that you provide, when possible, the name of the officer or official, the vehicle number and a physical description of the incident.

If you are not familiar with the city, describe the nearby businesses, warehouses or surrounding buildings.

If someone harmed you physically, in any way, shape or form, please acquire a medical record from the state district attorney and don't forget tot write the date and time of the incident.

The head officer of Internal Affairs of the sindicatura municipality of Tijuana is personally in charge of the proper operation of all public services.




STEP #1: PERSONAL DATA

Name: City :
E-Mail: Country:
Telephone: ID Type:
Address: ID Number:


STEP #2: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT

COMPLAINT

Santiago - 5-25-2010 at 04:33 PM

FWIW: Here's the sticker image
[img][/img]

rhintransit - 5-29-2010 at 11:29 AM

make that five people I know of in this small community, I'm sure there are more. here's something just in from a man in Tripui who was stopped. sounds like the corruption may go all the way up, not just the opportunistic officer in the street. his email today:

ATTENTION FOREIGN COMMUNITIES OF THE BAJA

The city of Cd. Constitution has been sanctioning the using a traffic ticket trap. Under many pretenses they have been extracting money form drivers with foreign license vehicles. In many cases the officers have been taking cash from the victims. In my case a week ago two motor cycle patrolmen puled me over as I approached the city. they had no radar equipment, alluded to speeding but I was behind traffic and just went over a speed bump, so they mulled it over after seeing my Mexican drivers license and decided to write me a ticket on the pretense that there was a problem with my California license plate. I was directed to go to the police department and pay the fine. I inquired at the department as to what was wrong so I could correct the problem so as not to be ticketed again and only received a 25% discount for my trouble (from $525 pesos to $393). Since this has been a continual problem, reported by many travelers, on a Federal Highway, thru a town without a by pass, the federal, state, and community governments must act to deter these illegal harassments.

Suggestions;
1. put a Mexican flag on your dash, The three police donation slips I had didn't help.
2. take your front license plate off. The police operate from the side of the road and see your plate and flag you down.
3. slow down, the prevailing speed may be fast enough to ticket.
4. take the very first side street and by pass all those traffic sign and lights and traffic ticket traps.
5. many of the traffic lights are still out since Jamina and there are now a tricky maze of alto signs, lights, blinking yellow lights with alto signs etc.
6. get names and numbers of officers and take a picture.
7. get a written ticket rather than doling out cash then pay the ticket at the station and ask for a discount. It wont take you more that half and hour and you have documentation.
8. do NO business at any of the stores and/or tell them there will be no more business till this harassment stops. Wars are won on economics.
9. contact the mayor, the governor, the president, the sub-director of police (Sr. Villalejos 613-100-1910), the US Embassy (1-888-407-4747), WeTip.com (1-800-782-7463) and protest.

Fraternally; Joe Wachter

Permission is granted to reprint and disseminate this item at will.

DavidE - 5-29-2010 at 01:04 PM

No one on this long thread bothered to fill out a federal complaint form with Los Angeles Verdes? Pity.