BajaNomad

Constitucion Shake Downs? Still going on??

bryanmckenzie - 10-23-2013 at 07:07 PM

What's the latest?
Stay on Mex 1?
Take a parallel neighborhood street?
My last time was in 2010 and in each direction I got abused.

Cardon Man - 10-24-2013 at 07:26 AM

No problems in the last few years. Motorcycle pig tried to extract cash from me about 3 years ago. But since then they have been well behaved.

Mula - 10-24-2013 at 07:58 AM

No cop snags so far this year.

Howard - 10-24-2013 at 08:16 AM

I have not heard of any problems within the last year.

Lee - 10-24-2013 at 10:11 AM

Any guesses on the percentage of people scammed who report it?

Bet the number is low.

bryanmckenzie - 10-24-2013 at 10:44 AM

Thanks guys. My last visit in 2010, I was stopped going southbound in May (supposedly missed a stop sign) and paid a $10 bribe so that I could stay on schedule. I hate I did that.

On the return in July, I was sopped northbound (supposedly stopped, then drove while there was a 'pedestrian' entering the crosswalk of the FAR side of the street), and argued with the cop, and hence the above photo.

NOTE: The moto-cop didn't stop me until after 5 blocks! Hence it's hard to argue whether or not there was a pedestrian or not a full minute & 1/2 mile away. Even with some Spanish mixed in with my anger. I demanded to be taken to the magistrate (a shirt-sleeved man in a small office; nothing more). I did pay a "traffic ticket" but at least felt better about myself --- looking back through my Little Red Journal (PDF), I see that I paid $P200 pesos --- less than the bribe I paid in Cabo San Lucas when caught going the wrong way on a one-way street (stupido gringo!)

The story continues (for almost one hour) but is off-topic from my original question.

Just found THIS THREAD from 2011, but that's too dated for me.




[Edited on 2013-10-24 by bryanmckenzie]

bryanmckenzie - 10-24-2013 at 11:05 AM

I just found this in WideAngleWanderer's trip report:

"If I do get pulled over, assuming I've done nothing wrong, I have a multi-step plan for avoiding the gringo shakedown.
Speak and understand no Spanish. Since many folks down here know some English, I'll use the only German I know to keep the officer confused. “No, no, apple strudel with ice cream. Two beers please. Airport. And no eggs!” Once I run out of German I'll use the only Thai phrase I know: “I'm an American. I like big boobs.” If desperate, I have one Cantonese phrase: “my kung-fu is better than yours.”
If that fails, I'll pull out my Guía Roja and ask for directions to random places in the area. "Do you know how to find the road to the place with the hot springs and the good tacos?"
Next I'll start taking notes and perhaps pull out my camera and take pictures while smiling like an idiot. No cop wants to be photographed asking for a bribe.
If the officer won't have it, I'll hand over my old spare driver's license. As long as he doesn't have my real license there's no leverage.
If he still insists on extracting a bribe, I'll call his bluff and offer to follow him to the police station to sort it all out."

That was also my plan, if caught, but only German, no Cantonese. And you see how well that worked out for me.

[Edited on 2013-10-24 by bryanmckenzie]

Lobsterman - 10-25-2013 at 04:42 AM

Went back and forth through Constitucion 5 times in the past week during the day as we traveled between Lopez Mateos and San Carlos. Drove the speed limit, stopped at all stop signs. We were trailering a boat. Had a cop behind us a couple of times but no problems.

Bajahowodd - 10-25-2013 at 05:01 PM

In about the most recent three years, similar to what Cardon Man posted, there has not been a visible presence of police along the main drag. In days of yore, you could spot them every few blocks awaiting their dirty work. I'm guessing that just maybe all the effort that were made by Nomads and others, put an end to that tyranny.

Although I continue to remain ultra-vigilant, and drive through town like a little old lady, it does appear that the problem no longer exists.

David K - 10-25-2013 at 06:04 PM

Twice in 2012, midday, not one cop seen.

Mulegena - 10-25-2013 at 07:41 PM

Constitution: Just stop at each intersection, whether there´s a stopsign or stoplight-- just stop and look for any car, bicycle or pedestrian in the roadway. Do this whether you stay in the middle thru-lane or get off onto the business lanes or cut over to a side street. Go slow, even when out of town as there´s a Federale HQ just north of Constitution.

At the Loreto-Insurgentes turnoff: Stop and buy a sack of oranges being sold out on the highway-- there are no better anywhere. Decent coffee and junky snacks can be found at the big service station.

windgrrl - 10-25-2013 at 08:56 PM

Drove through 6 times in the past 3 years with no problems. Obeyed the signs, stop signage is improved. Police were travelling the road alongside us, but not focused on us.

Bajahowodd - 10-26-2013 at 04:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Constitution: Just stop at each intersection, whether there´s a stopsign or stoplight-- just stop and look for any car, bicycle or pedestrian in the roadway. Do this whether you stay in the middle thru-lane or get off onto the business lanes or cut over to a side street. Go slow, even when out of town as there´s a Federale HQ just north of Constitution.

At the Loreto-Insurgentes turnoff: Stop and buy a sack of oranges being sold out on the highway-- there are no better anywhere. Decent coffee and junky snacks can be found at the big service station.


That reminds me. Apparently Insurgentes bans the sale of alcohol on Sunday. Although that service station mentioned by Mulegena carries a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor, you cannot purchase it on Sundays. Heads up.

bajaguy - 10-26-2013 at 04:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Constitution: Just stop at each intersection, whether there´s a stopsign or stoplight-- just stop and look for any car, bicycle or pedestrian in the roadway. Do this whether you stay in the middle thru-lane or get off onto the business lanes or cut over to a side street. Go slow, even when out of town as there´s a Federale HQ just north of Constitution.

At the Loreto-Insurgentes turnoff: Stop and buy a sack of oranges being sold out on the highway-- there are no better anywhere. Decent coffee and junky snacks can be found at the big service station.


That reminds me. Apparently Insurgentes bans the sale of alcohol on Sunday. Although that service station mentioned by Mulegena carries a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor, you cannot purchase it on Sundays. Heads up.





Can't buy booze in Ensenada until 10AM on Sundays

DENNIS - 10-26-2013 at 05:19 PM

I can remember when Maneadero was a dry town. On Friday nights I think it was, the city admin building at the "Y' would open a small window and sell beer to the field hands. Other than that......nothing.. .nowhere.....never.

bryanmckenzie - 10-28-2013 at 01:54 PM

Thanks everyone. Just for fun, and to see the local sights, I'm thinking I'm going to go a few blocks either side of "main street" and tour the neighborhoods. :cool:

StuckSucks - 10-28-2013 at 03:11 PM

I went thru there a year ago for the 1000, maybe 6-8 times in a week period, and we saw no policia. I'd heard about possible shake-downs, so I made a deliberate point of stopping for stop signs, living a clean life.

mulegemichael - 10-28-2013 at 03:59 PM

tecate now seems to be the mordita/mordida place...we've been stopped twice in the past couple of years and blew them off both times.....i remember when i lived in la ribera alcohol was not to be sold on sundays but they did anyway..they just charged more for it...jorge, forgive my senior brain, but what's the main grocery down by you folks?..anyway, that's the one.

Bajahowodd - 10-28-2013 at 04:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Constitution: Just stop at each intersection, whether there´s a stopsign or stoplight-- just stop and look for any car, bicycle or pedestrian in the roadway. Do this whether you stay in the middle thru-lane or get off onto the business lanes or cut over to a side street. Go slow, even when out of town as there´s a Federale HQ just north of Constitution.

At the Loreto-Insurgentes turnoff: Stop and buy a sack of oranges being sold out on the highway-- there are no better anywhere. Decent coffee and junky snacks can be found at the big service station.


That reminds me. Apparently Insurgentes bans the sale of alcohol on Sunday. Although that service station mentioned by Mulegena carries a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor, you cannot purchase it on Sundays. Heads up.





Can't buy booze in Ensenada until 10AM on Sundays


Waiting until 10am certainly beats not being able to buy it all day, wouldn't you say?

willardguy - 10-28-2013 at 04:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Constitution: Just stop at each intersection, whether there´s a stopsign or stoplight-- just stop and look for any car, bicycle or pedestrian in the roadway. Do this whether you stay in the middle thru-lane or get off onto the business lanes or cut over to a side street. Go slow, even when out of town as there´s a Federale HQ just north of Constitution.

At the Loreto-Insurgentes turnoff: Stop and buy a sack of oranges being sold out on the highway-- there are no better anywhere. Decent coffee and junky snacks can be found at the big service station.


That reminds me. Apparently Insurgentes bans the sale of alcohol on Sunday. Although that service station mentioned by Mulegena carries a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor, you cannot purchase it on Sundays. Heads up.





Can't buy booze in Ensenada until 10AM on Sundays
does that only apply to markets? no alcohol in bars and restaurants in the tourist zone either?:?:

Bajahowodd - 10-28-2013 at 05:00 PM

I have no definitive answer to your question, but I would think, considering such "blue laws" that exist in the US and around the world, it is most likely just retail sales. On the other hand, why would anyone decide to spend the night in Insurgentes?

aguachico - 10-29-2013 at 06:47 AM

When I'm driving in known shakedown areas, I mount my dash cam. Check out this short clip of me learning how to drive like tijuanes'

http://www.aguachico.com/video/running-it.wmv

Lee - 10-29-2013 at 10:03 AM

Think my theory of 5% bad cops in every department is playing out. If there are 10 cops in CC, then that's 1/2 cop running the scams.

2 things for the record, stopping at every sign, light and going 40kph won't guarantee the 1/2 cop won't see you and want some holiday donations. Anticipating the flashing colored lights in your rear view mirror might lessen the shock of being stopped esp. if you're innocent.

Second might be NOT following the police to ''the station'' as they (most likely) want to get you off the main street and into a deserted area for private conversation. Results may vary.

DavidE - 10-29-2013 at 02:21 PM

Drive the kph speed limit, make full and complete stops, stay in the right lane DO NOT ENTER AN INTERSECTION ON A YELLOW LIGHT. It is a valid traffic violation. Look for speed limit signs in strange places. Many school zones are 20 kph.

City cops are wise to folks using side streets. Mexicans do it to avoid transitos on the lookout for cars with no license or unlicensed drivers on the main drag.

I've ridden with three drivers who got tickets when I was riding shotgun. All three of them violated the law "keeping up with traffic" then making a rolling stop. The third make a disastrous dangerous left off the libramiento in Morelia Michoacan. All three foamed at the mouth about "crooked cops" after they settled their issue with the cop. I kept quiet. I did not want to walk home.

Bajahowodd - 10-29-2013 at 04:49 PM

We have gone through several times in the center lanes and have had no problems. The most important advice I can share is that you should never continue through an intersection where there is a pedestrian crossing, no matter how far away they are.