We have had to travel through Ciuadad Constitucion three times in the last 10 days. The first two trips we successfully bypassed the main street by
turning to the east at the beginning of the divided road and going 4 blocks to Ave. Cervantes. This is a paved road with three lanes in each
direction and divided by a 100 ft wide median. There are only 4 stop signs on this street, so it is much faster that stopping at every signal on the
main drag. It has the advantage too that it goes right by the police station which is probably the safest place to drive.
This Sunday morning about 8:30 we entered CC from the south and just before we turned right to take the bypass we saw truck No.008 driving south on
the opposite side of the road. He was probably getting in back position for another stake-out. They saw us turning, and sure enough, after we had
gone east about 3 blocks they made the same turn and stayed behind us. We made our left on Cervantes and had gone about a kilometer before he closed
up and turned on the lights. Our violation was apparently that we completed our left turn on to Cervantes while a car was stopped at the stop sign
headed west. According to him we should have stopped some where into the intersection to wait for the other driver to cross.
After explaining this, he asked for my license. I handed him my license with the back side facing to him and he read out loud what I had written
there: "No Mordida" and "Villalejos". He didn't read out Villalejos' phone number. He then explained again what I did wrong, handed me back my
license and walked back to the truck. He didn't stay long enough for me to ask his name or to tell him there were lots of photos of him on the
internet. Next time I'll have to be quicker.DENNIS - 7-26-2010 at 12:09 PM
Great story. Thanks.BMG - 7-26-2010 at 12:23 PM
Glad to hear he didn't delay your trip by much. Just frustrating though.karenintx - 7-26-2010 at 01:11 PM
Why Spanish is not that good so what is "Villalejos" and what number did you have written on the back of your license?
.shari - 7-26-2010 at 01:19 PM
Villalejos I think is the jefe's name and had his phone # under the name...man that worked like a charm...very simple and ya dont have to speak
spanish...its a great idea to do that...just have it written on your license on the back on masking tape or whatever....excellent work gringo!!! but
sheesh, ya think Truck 008 would have figured it out by now that we're on to him....another great reason to read bajanomads eh!!!karenintx - 7-26-2010 at 01:28 PM
Thanks Shari...how would one go about getting "el jefe" name and phone"?shari - 7-26-2010 at 01:38 PM
I'm sure 2gringos will be happy to supply it next time he's online...he showed me his license...its awesome...direct and to the point!!DENNIS - 7-26-2010 at 02:04 PM
Ya know....it may sound self-serving, but if everybody had that name and number on their license, it may lose the desired effect.....if it had any to
begin with.
Does anybody really think that the jefe is out of the extortion loop here? It's a system and he's full aware and a part of it all. He gets his. He
just doesn't have to beat up tourists anymore to do that. I'm sure he did his share when he was on the streets.
How can people continue to believe anybody who is a member of this extortion cabal can have clean hands? I don't get it.
Relax. Have fun. Don't take things too seriously. Don't worry. Be happy.
Lee - 7-26-2010 at 02:34 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I don't get it.
Personally, I"m not on a Crusade though others might be about CC. Does it matter where the corruption starts? I'm assuming everybody is
innocent and no one is corrupt until proven different.
Villalejos name worked for 2amigoes so, whatever works.
I have Villalejos number on speed dial on my Telcel phone. When I get out of my vehicle, I'll have him or his office on the line and ID'ing the
police truck number who's shaking me down. I'll be having a good time about this.
Just another brick in the wall. Grist for the Mill.Timo1 - 7-26-2010 at 02:44 PM
calling Sr. Villalejos, Sub-director de Policia, at 613-100-1910
Oh.....and you can thank Senior Fish for the number
[Edited on 7-26-2010 by Timo1]Iflyfish - 7-26-2010 at 06:47 PM
Timo1,
I posted the name and number on the thread Double Shake Down in Ciudad Constitution. That thread is still alive and going well. I have encouraged
people to post their experiences on that thread so that there is an ongoing history of what is going on to address this issue. I got the number from
another Nomad who posted it on the other thread.
I also took the liberty of posting twogringo's post on the other thread for the sake of continuity and will U2U them about that.
I have summarized what we have learned so far from our fellow Nomads and it is summarized below.
Please continue to do what ever you can to keep this ball rolling. Your posts like twogringos are very helpful to all of us who have to travel that
gauntlet in order to get from Baja Norte to Baja Sur. Good work fellow Nomads, good work!!
If you are stopped by police in Ciudad Constitution and threatened with a ticket for something you did not do then please report the details to:
American Citizen Services
US Consulate General Tijuana
ACSTijuana@state.gov
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.
