BajaNomad

tis the season...Constitucion cops again

rhintransit - 11-21-2014 at 09:26 AM

just got word a tourist I met, nice 76 year old single female gringa with Oregon plates, traveling alone, got pulled over in Constitucion...'speeding.' she'd stopped in Loreto for a couple of days and was told about the problems in Constitucion, so drove exceedingly carefully, full stops, watching for pedestrians, and, of course, not speeding.
after a lengthy stop, they let her go, probably because she couldn't get any money from any ATMs in town as she neglected to let her credit card company know she was in Mexico.
heads up, it's time for extra money for Christmas presents again...

David K - 11-21-2014 at 10:39 AM

Folks, just say NO... let them pretend to take you to the police station.. insist that they do! Before you get there, if they tell you to follow, they will cut you loose and go find easier prey.

I felt kind of bummed when I went through there twice and didn't even see a cop, let alone have one try and extort from me. Maybe because I went through during siesta, in the summer?

Lee - 11-21-2014 at 11:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Folks, just say NO... let them pretend to take you to the police station.. insist that they do! Before you get there, if they tell you to follow


That is not always the case, DK. There might be an equal number of horror stories where the police station is a bigger scam.

rts551 - 11-21-2014 at 11:49 AM

During the fiesta a number of years ago, the station in Asuncion kept my son for over an hour figuring out how much the fine should be for going through a stop sign.

micah202 - 11-21-2014 at 11:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Folks, just say NO... let them pretend to take you to the police station.. insist that they do! Before you get there, if they tell you to follow, they will cut you loose and go find easier prey.

I felt kind of bummed when I went through there twice and didn't even see a cop, let alone have one try and extort from me. Maybe because I went through during siesta, in the summer?


...I really like your gig of carrying extra prints of your driver's license :)

bajabuddha - 11-21-2014 at 11:59 AM

I liked the post where you flip out your camera phone (even if it doesn't HAVE a camera!) and pretend you're filming the whole thing. I bet that's the best 'have a nice day' catcher.

tobianogreg - 11-21-2014 at 12:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by micah202

...I really like your gig of carrying extra prints of your driver's license :)


Can someone walk me through the process of what happens after your laminated, copied license is confiscated? Obviously the policia retain the fake but at what point does gringo make good his/her escape?

Many thanks (from a Canuck who doesn't know it all). ;D

rhintransit - 11-21-2014 at 12:26 PM

when that happened to me in Constitucion I handed the guy an original (which I had gotten back after a pickpocket took my wallet in San Francisco...I reported it, got a new one, and wonder of wonders the SF police found the wallet, devoid of cash and credit cards, in a trashcan and mailed it back). since I had twoi identical valid licenses I didn't really care if he kept one.
we went thru all the rigamarole, said the police station was closed and I'd have to come back the next day to get the thing...probably leading up to the pay me now part...and I told him, okay, I'll be back, but not for three or four days, was that okay? he just glared at me, shrugged, handed it back and waved me on my way.
unfortunately that one has expired now, so I'll go to the laminated copy route now. some people say don't let go of the license but hold it up to the window, I don't know if that would fly.
Quote:
Originally posted by tobianogreg
Quote:
Originally posted by micah202

...I really like your gig of carrying extra prints of your driver's license :)


Can someone walk me through the process of what happens after your laminated, copied license is confiscated? Obviously the policia retain the fake but at what point does gringo make good his/her escape?

Many thanks (from a Canuck who doesn't know it all). ;D

J.P. - 11-21-2014 at 12:48 PM

I have lived and traveled in Mexico for a lot of years, and if you have a problem on the road or anywhere else you will be amazed by the number of Mexican that will stop and help without any expectations of being financially rewarded. They do it out of kindness.:yes::yes:

StuckSucks - 11-21-2014 at 12:53 PM

You guys scared me with all this Constitucion policia talk. But when I was down there for the 1000, I drove thru Constitucion many times and was never stopped; never saw a cop. Sorry, no horror stories.

David K - 11-21-2014 at 12:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by micah202
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Folks, just say NO... let them pretend to take you to the police station.. insist that they do! Before you get there, if they tell you to follow, they will cut you loose and go find easier prey.

I felt kind of bummed when I went through there twice and didn't even see a cop, let alone have one try and extort from me. Maybe because I went through during siesta, in the summer?


...I really like your gig of carrying extra prints of your driver's license :)


Not me... must be another Nomad, I have never done that. I do keep my previous expired DL in my passport in case mine is lost or taken.

David K - 11-21-2014 at 01:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by StuckSucks
You guys scared me with all this Constitucion policia talk. But when I was down there for the 1000, I drove thru Constitucion many times and was never stopped; never saw a cop. Sorry, no horror stories.


You and I must drink the same brand? :lol::light:

Whale-ista - 11-21-2014 at 01:01 PM

Thanks for reminder- I took earlier advice re:Cd. Constitucion last summer, and drove extra careful thru town over topos etc. No problems!

As for licenses: After a similar experience along Hwy. 1 10 years ago, just south of Guerrero Negro (asked for license, officer threatened to keep it until I paid them directly etc.), I now carry expired licenses for these situations.

I haven't needed to, but if stopped again I will give them an expired one and let them figure out how to cite me for driving with an expired US license, in addition to whatever other charge they come up with.
As for the 2004 incident: I didn't pay, they returned the license & let us go.

Related: Anyone know how difficult it is to get a MX drivers license? Do you need permanent resident status or is an FMM sufficient?

Bajahowodd - 11-21-2014 at 04:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Folks, just say NO... let them pretend to take you to the police station.. insist that they do! Before you get there, if they tell you to follow, they will cut you loose and go find easier prey.

I felt kind of bummed when I went through there twice and didn't even see a cop, let alone have one try and extort from me. Maybe because I went through during siesta, in the summer?


Although I have never been stopped there in several dozen passes through, I can say that if you drive through on a Sunday, chances are that you will not see a single cop. I haven't.

Ateo - 11-21-2014 at 05:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabuddha
I liked the post where you flip out your camera phone (even if it doesn't HAVE a camera!) and pretend you're filming the whole thing. I bet that's the best 'have a nice day' catcher.


Or better yet grab the GoPro from your bag and just mount it on the dashboard and point it in his direction.

Ateo - 11-21-2014 at 05:14 PM

Kind of funny...............cops buying Christmas presents and celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, the Baby Jesus, by extorting $$$ from foreigners!!

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Exactly!

neilm81301 - 11-21-2014 at 07:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
Kind of funny...............cops buying Christmas presents and celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, the Baby Jesus, by extorting $$$ from foreigners!!

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:


Just a logical extension or the whole commercial 'XMAS' thing; no Christ in it at all....

Prepare to dismount soapbox; dismount!

Neil

Gulliver - 11-21-2014 at 09:41 PM

All things change but some years ago (like 1991) I went to the drivers license place in LaPaz and got a Mexican drivers license with no serious hassle. All I had was what they called then a Tourist Card (FMM now) and my U.S. license.

I don't even remember why the heck I did it as I was traveling in my boat then.

Maron - 11-21-2014 at 10:18 PM

We travel solo, in a RV, usually during March and April, thus far no problems. Should we look forward to some in the future?? Thanks for the info.

TMW - 11-22-2014 at 07:37 AM

Constitucion is an odd place to drive thru if you want to stop for anything as they have the parallel street. On the main thru street are stop signs and lights, some work some don't. Tunaeater and I were there the week of the Baja 1000 and stayed at a new hotel on the San Carlos hwy 22 just after you turn onto it. We had tacos at a nice street side vendor and saw cops too. One had a local car pulled over next to the taco place. They also have an interesting no tell motel on the south side of town. You pull up to a window like a fast food drive up window. The rooms are single beds only and the rooms all have a garage attached to hide your vehicle. Don't know the price, we didn't stay there.

Bajahowodd - 11-27-2014 at 06:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Folks, just say NO... let them pretend to take you to the police station.. insist that they do! Before you get there, if they tell you to follow, they will cut you loose and go find easier prey.

I felt kind of bummed when I went through there twice and didn't even see a cop, let alone have one try and extort from me. Maybe because I went through during siesta, in the summer?


Although I have never been stopped there in several dozen pburros through, I can say that if you drive through on a Sunday, chances are that you will not see a single cop. I haven't.


Whats up with the software? I did not type anything offensive.

vandenberg - 11-27-2014 at 06:33 PM

Got to watch those p.....a*ses. :bounce:

[Edited on 11-28-2014 by vandenberg]