BajaNomad - Mexicali Police

Mexicali Police

grace59 - 9-9-2010 at 06:06 AM

In August coming through Mexicali we noticed a heavy police presence pulling people over. The day after we went through our neighbors were coming down to San Felipe and got pulled over for "speeding" although they were just going with the flow of traffic. The said they would follow the officer to the station, but then he pulled over in a quiet area and intimidated them into Mordida payment of 100.00 US. My husband was determined NOT to go through Mexicali on the way down this month so we entered at Tecata with no problems. Unfortunately, we had to go through Mexicali on the way out to look at some granite. We were following another gringo (with CA plates) to the granite shop which is on the road to the new crossing...at the light ready to make the left a police car was beside us. When the light turned green we followed our friend through the light and had just gotten rolling when the policia pulled between us and turned the lights on our friend. My husband checked his speed and we had only gotten up to about 40k in a 60 k zone. We passed our friend but pulled over at the granite shop to wait for him. Our friend said that he would follow the officer to the station, but had to stop at the granite place with us. When he stopped the officer just kept going by....the reason he pulled our friend over was for "speeding". Is anyone else hearing of problems with police in Mexicali or were we just close to two isolated incidences??????????? I don't want to be coming down La Rumarosa in the middle of winter because my husband refuses to go through Mexicali!!

capt. mike - 9-9-2010 at 06:21 AM

basturos!!!!!!!!!! :fire:

!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marc - 9-9-2010 at 06:30 AM

Cd. Constitutîon all over again? :mad:

DENNIS - 9-9-2010 at 07:29 AM

These mordida epidemics can pop up anywhere in Mexico and from time to time, probably will. That's one reason I mentioned yesterday on the Cd. Constitucón thread that it was premature to lift the pressure on that city. They'll be back to their nonsense in no time.

.

[Edited on 9-9-2010 by DENNIS]

Russ - 9-9-2010 at 07:57 AM

Remember in the States when the city would give the cops quotas on passing out traffic tickets. Although it's not the same thing cus they'd get you actually doing something wrong, most of the time. It still raised money. I think I'd rather pay a toll than worry about bogas shake downs though.

DENNIS - 9-9-2010 at 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Russ
Remember in the States when the city would give the cops quotas on passing out traffic tickets. Although it's not the same thing cus they'd get you actually doing something wrong, most of the time. It still raised money. I think I'd rather pay a toll than worry about bogas shake downs though.

The only thing that differentiates an armed robber in an alley and a predatory cop is a badge.
Of course, we've been through all of this...haven't we.

knuckles - 9-9-2010 at 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

The only thing that differentiates an armed robber in an alley and a predatory cop is a badge.
Of course, we've been through all of this...haven't we.

Ok people, I have a different take on this one......

In the the states now (at least CA) the police issue a citation and send you a bail notice in the mail. Regardless if you are guilty or innocent they ask for a fairly hefty sum of money just to make it go away. Surprise, the last one I got was nearly $400

The second problem is on the back of the citation it now says "you may or may not receive a bail notice". So then you head to the court and get your surprise bill in person. How many of you have not received a notice and forgot to show up? How many innocent traffic offenders just pay the bill? I for one have tried to fight two tickets (I was innocent) and lost. Cost me significant amounts of both time and money.

Now for the punch line....
I happen to find the Mexican system a bit more ...honest? You pay a small amount and you are done. Or you stand your ground and your are probably still done. No dealing with adminstration or courts or DMV, no points on your record. And the fines are a much more reasonable amount.

Stopped twice in BCN in the past 10 years, once I was guilty, cost me $40, once not guilty, cost me $20.

Which is easier to deal with and more honest?

MitchMan - 9-9-2010 at 03:44 PM

Knuckles makes a great point. Was pondering this issue myself.

In the US, cops are paid a fair wage (comparatively speaking), but the city and county management make the cops give tickets to raise money for the city/county. The fines are often times way too high. The intersection cameras are a windfall, mostly preying on safe infractions, but charging hundreds for the offense. Also, handing out tickets left and right for seat belt infractions and so called "speeding" tickets when only going 5 miles over the speed limit or the speed limits are unrealistically low.

There is a similarity to the foul mentality leading to extracting of money from the working people for actual safe driving while technically an infraction. I call that absolute theft. It's happenning in Mexico and in the US.

Knuckles has it right. I have and do pay more in the US than I ever have in Mexico for mordida. So, which is actually worse? If the quantity of money is a metric, in my experience, that would make the US ten times worse.

[Edited on 9-9-2010 by MitchMan]

tjBill - 9-9-2010 at 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
These mordida epidemics can pop up anywhere in Mexico and from time to time, probably will. That's one reason I mentioned yesterday on the Cd. Constitucón thread that it was premature to lift the pressure on that city. They'll be back to their nonsense in no time.

.

[Edited on 9-9-2010 by DENNIS]

The mordida epidemics tend to crop up when a city's administration is going out. Mexcali's administration, like a lot of Baja, is going out in four months.

When the new administration comes in, they will crack down on the problem.

DENNIS - 9-9-2010 at 04:58 PM

Good point, Bill. One to watch.

mcfez - 9-9-2010 at 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by knuckles

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

The only thing that differentiates an armed robber in an alley and a predatory cop is a badge.
Of course, we've been through all of this...haven't we.

Not to mention your insurance rates get jacked up too. No seat belt ticket $280 + $60.00 increase per year. You make good logic on this subject.

MICK - 9-10-2010 at 06:30 AM

Funny, I drive thru mexicali all the time and I have yet to be pulled over ( knock on Wood) I find most of the cops there friendly and have even had them wave to me while sitting next to them at a light. I do not drive thru town so that may be the deal. If you are heading down use the river road maybe they are less agressive there. I did go to the east border a few weeks ago and saw a few cops but did not get stopped. Now I will say that I can not get thru TJ without being pulled over so I don't know what's up with that. I would agree that at least in Mexico you know where you stand. The system is quick and over with.
Last time I came across at tecate I saw 5 highway patrolman with cars from baja pulled over between the border and Hwy 94. Wonder what the mexicans think of our system?
Mick

knuckles - 9-10-2010 at 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MICK
Wonder what the mexicans think of our system?
Mick

Yeah, I that wonder what they think about our befuddled system in comparision to their own.

Let's face it, nobody likes a traffic stop no matter what country you are in!

Bajafun777 - 9-10-2010 at 11:31 PM

I too travel in and out of Mexicali a lot and have not had any problems. I would be one of those that insist on going to the police station and I know exactually where it is. However, if I was speeding which I do not do in Mexico but if I missed a sign, which everyone here knows can happen, due to trees, brush, large trucks, etcl I would rather pay a $20 dollar make the world go away than what our out of wack California system charges us. I went into a the 125 toll going to Chula Vista and put my $3 dollars in like it said but actually had to put $4 dollars due to the dang machine not registering one of my dollars. I had a friend get a ticket for this same issue however since he put in $3dollars he did not put in another dollar to make the malfunctioning toll money register turn the green light on. His ticket for not doing this was $165 I believe he told me. So, the $20 dollar pay and go sounds better,LOL. Travel Safe and Take Care, bajafun777

Bajajorge - 9-11-2010 at 08:43 AM

For those that cross into Mexicali through the Calexico East crossing, here is some info. After going through the crossing point you will come to a main boulevard. When you turn right, onto the blvd you'll come to a stop sign. Be sure to stop as there is always a motorcycle cop there. As you continue westbound you'll be going parallel along our lovely new border fence. On your left hand side you will see some 1 story houses and side streets. In these side streets hide Mexicali's finest by the hoards. :wow:

Go the speed limit through this area, never mind how fast the traffic is going. Cuz if you go with the flow of traffic, you will be the only person stopped due to your gringo status.

Gold Card

bajaguy - 9-11-2010 at 08:44 AM

George

Do you carry your Gold Card?????....ever use it on your side???

Bajajorge - 9-11-2010 at 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
George

Do you carry your Gold Card?????....ever use it on your side???

I've never had the pleasure of being stopped. :saint:

But, now that I've said that, I will probably be screwed into the ground the next time I cross. :fire:

bajaguy - 9-11-2010 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajajorge

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
George

Do you carry your Gold Card?????....ever use it on your side???

I've never had the pleasure of being stopped. :saint:

But, now that I've said that, I will probably be screwed into the ground the next time I cross. :fire:

Used it once in Ensenada about 8 years ago........no transaction fees!!!! :bounce:

durrelllrobert - 9-11-2010 at 09:28 AM

Quote:

I don't want to be coming down La Rumarosa in the middle of winter because my husband refuses to go through Mexicali!!

What? Youre not into bobsleding :lol:

grace59 - 9-11-2010 at 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

I don't want to be coming down La Rumarosa in the middle of winter because my husband refuses to go through Mexicali!!

What? Youre not into bobsleding :lol:

Nope, no bobsledding, luge, skiing, snowboarding...nada...don't even like snow! That's why I'm building a house in Baja!

DavidE - 9-11-2010 at 08:34 PM

"Gee your honor, I was only going with the flow of traffic".
""87 MPH?"
"Well yeah I didn't want to get rear ended".

The above is a verbatim transcript of a traffic court encounter in Fairfax County Virginia.

Do NOT cross those imaginary crosswalk lines if the light is yellow.

And always know the speed limit. Many are ridiculosly slow but no matter, if you are speeding you are elgible to get a ticket.

Never EVER look a transito in the eye, from your car to his car or from your car to someone on foot. El Toro y la bandera roja time.

grace59 - 9-11-2010 at 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
"
And always know the speed limit. Many are ridiculosly slow but no matter, if you are speeding you are elgible to get a ticket.

It is one thing to be pulled over because you are actually speeding and another to be pulled over obviously going below the limit. Our friend was pulled over after stopping at a light and hadn't even gotten up the the posted limit when we saw him pulled over....we were right behind him and had just gotten up to 40kph in a 60kph zone. Since we were on the road to the new crossing I'm sure the Policia thought that Hank would rather pay then and there instead of going to the station.

freediverbrian - 9-12-2010 at 12:32 PM

I hqve been pulled over twice in Mexicalli for "speeding" , the first time it cost me $50.00 . I was mad I paid , the second time I was going down the bridge by the costco .I would not pay the officer and told him "I am in no hurry lets go to the station". He let me go DO NOT PAY THE POLICE go to the station it is the only way to stop the the corruption.