BajaNomad - Cd Constitution... Same Old Bullchit

Exactly what was the infraction for? Illegal parking?

... for wearing too deep of pockets... :lol:

motoged - 1-1-2015 at 12:19 PM

I just spent 4 days in Constitucion and had no bad experiences with the police. I was in a pick-up or on my moto and had a brief encounter with a cop-on-a-quad when I entered a one-way street at night....and was in the middle to turning the bike around when he zoomed up and started saying something....I nodded and he seemed content to allow me to proceed to my nightly helado mission.

The next night he passed me at the helado stand and smiled and offered a "Que pase?"....

I figured out the etiquette of the stop signs and the intersections of the primary and secondary streets in town. I gave the police plenty of opportunities to pull me over and did my best to slow down for stop signs....and that system worked for me.....

geoffff - 1-1-2015 at 12:23 PM

I haven't had this experience yet in Baja, but just in case I attach my license plates with one-way security screws like those they use in public restrooms:

http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Machine-Finish-One-Way-Threa...

Of course my state insists on having me replace my license plate every few years, so I have to bust out the vice grips to get the screws out.

-- Geoff

David K - 1-1-2015 at 12:25 PM

While we had no issues twice in 2012, in the middle of the day, there is enough fear to some to have a alternate route through town shown on Google Earth, perhaps? Is there a 'best' parallel city street, paved, maybe no more stops than on Hwy. 1 and out of the eyes of the policia that is best in Constitucion?

Dash cam

bajaguy - 1-1-2015 at 12:30 PM

Invest in a dash cam.....cheap insurance

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G30WOT6?psc=1

AKgringo - 1-1-2015 at 12:33 PM

I passed through Constitution twice just before Thanksgiving, trying my best to stay legal because of the warnings I have seen on this board.
I had no problems, but did observe four vehicles that had been pulled over, two of them by Federales! I don't know what was going on, but all of the vehicles had Mexican plates. Maybe they are just tough on traffic there.

monoloco - 1-1-2015 at 01:52 PM

When someone posts one of these stories I always wonder what the point is of all the posts about how "I went thru there last week, last month, 5 years ago, whatever, and never had a problem" It would be pretty damn impossible for the CC cops to extort every gringo who drove through there. The fact is the place has a reputation (well deserved IMHO) of having a bunch of corrupt cops who prey on tourists.

Alan - 1-1-2015 at 02:22 PM

When someone posts one of these stories I always wonder what the point is of all the posts about how "I went thru there last week, last month, 5 years ago, whatever, and never had a problem" It would be pretty damn impossible for the CC cops to extort every gringo who drove through there. The fact is the place has a reputation (well deserved IMHO) of having a bunch of corrupt cops who prey on tourists.

The point of the posts is to share tactics that "seem" to work for us. Whether you choose to use them is solely up to you. It has worked for me so I share, which is a huge reason many join this board.

bajaguy - 1-1-2015 at 02:43 PM

Since you have the date, approximate time, the threat of arrest and photos, a flurry of e-mails and postings on Facebook to various government officials federal, state and local), tourism boards (ditto) and the like may stir things up.

Problems for tourists in CD Constitution can have a negative effect on tourism in Cabo and La Paz, BCS and points north and south on Hwy 1 to include BC.

Tourism means dollars, and slow/no tourism for businesses affects businesses......and money talks.

Stir it up!!!

On edit, the same goes for you that have (had) problems in Tecate

[Edited on 1-1-2015 by bajaguy]

bajabuddha - 1-1-2015 at 03:09 PM

I agree, Guy. The problem in Cd. C. is they have no tourist infrastructure whatsoever, never have and no reason for anyone to spend money there; so maybe there's a little money-jealousy there for all the 'ricos' headed south to the beaches and resorts.... and they've found their 'Cash-Cow' for their (the policia) pockets, and their Operations budgets. Mexicano policia are mostly underpaid, and some just not paid at all if the tax funds aren't there. Ergo, the 'Hassle-Free Zone' mentality is out the door; this is their only piece of the big pie, so they collect.

Cd. C. has always had the reputation, nothing new. My first 'rip-off' in Baja was New Year's Day 1996 in Cd. C, by 'marijuanos', a group of 3 young kids at a gas station; one or two kept me occupied talking and yabbering, and I caught a third messing with the dials on the gas pump to spike it... busted, I chewed 'em out a little, and they laughed in my face. Considering the current political climate of Mexico, I doubt anything will change, because who will police the police? La Paz? Forewarned is fore-armed. This is not a negative thread, but a head's up to travelers, just what is.

bajaguy - 1-1-2015 at 03:25 PM

Buddah.........yup, it's not normally a tourist destination, but plenty of tourists pass through there.

I would hope that tourism officials and businesses north and south would be concerned if a bump in the road was causing problems to their bottom line.

If'n it were me, I would also e-mail the federal and state delagados with the complaints as well as any Baja/racing/fishing/RV caravan web sites.

Squeeze 'em.....individually we may not make a difference, but if everybody jumps on the bandwagon......

motoged - 1-1-2015 at 03:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha

...... The problem in Cd. C. is they have no tourist infrastructure whatsoever, never have and no reason for anyone to spend money there;

BB,
Have to disagree.....they have three helado shops all within a block :lol:

StuckSucks - 1-1-2015 at 05:29 PM

I have an unexciting story.

I drove thru Constitucion five times in each direction while down there for the Mil - zero issues. I was driving a team truck with branding, so not exactly low key.

Bajahowodd - 1-1-2015 at 05:55 PM

Never been stopped there in the decades we've been driving through. I have observed a number of cars pulled over when we have had to pass through mid-day during the week. However, almost half of our passes are on a Sunday, and there are no cops to be seen. So, I would suggest going through very early in the morning, after dusk, or on Sunday, if you can fit that into your schedule.

mtgoat666 - 1-1-2015 at 06:26 PM

I have never been stopped by a cop for anything in Baja. Some of you must look like easy marks for fleecing, and I hope you continue to look different than me, and clear the way for my uninhibited driving pleasure.. :bounce:

Peace out!

P.s. I am interested, what common appearance do you victims share?

bajabuddha - 1-1-2015 at 06:39 PM

Goat, ever thought it might be your deodorant?

Hook - 1-1-2015 at 06:40 PM

I have never been stopped by a cop for anything in Baja. Some of you must look like easy marks for fleecing, and I hope you continue to look different than me, and clear the way for my uninhibited driving pleasure.. :bounce:

Peace out!

P.s. I am interested, what common appearance do you victims share?

Jesus. Dozens of cases of this BS occurring in CC, and all Goat can conclude is that it is all the Nomads fault.

JoeJustJoe - 1-1-2015 at 08:11 PM

The story seems very plausible, until the end when Kiterkip say," Huh... Oh, and the fine paying room we were in had about 3 thousand confiscated license plates."

Really? Kiterkip was taking photos of everything else. Where is the photos of the 3000 license plates?

There are also a few other problems with the story, from what I know about corrupt Mexican cops.

In the story there is no hint of asking for a bribe from the implied alleged corrupt cop(s) that supposedly removed Kiterkip's license plate, and then came in the restaurant and said in bad English, "teekeets" and then later took out the handcuffs.

BTW the ""teekeets"statement is really uncalled for, especially since Kiterkip said," at some point we demanded an English speaking translator," at the police station. Did the Mexican cops make fun of Kiterkip's Spanish?

So is the whole police station at, Ciudad Constitution, corrupt, and they work as a team? Why didn't the corrupt cop make it easy on everybody and just hint for a bribe up front? If the alleged Mexican cop is corrupt, why not take his share right away, and if he works as a team, just pass up the bribe money up the chain of command at the police station. Better, yet, why didn't he ask for a bribe, and keep all the pesos or dollars for himself, or share with his buddy cop?

It just seems like a lot of trouble to go through, especially when they're going through the legal motions, and then at the end, the "smoking guns" of evidence is right there, the 3000 license plates, the police station, supposedly keeps right there in the "fine payment office," where one day state or federal officials might find.

Who knows if the story is true or not, or just parts exaggerated, but I would never boycott a place in Mexico, just because a person has a story to tell on the internet or some anonymous travel board.

Tell, the story, and if others are telling the same story, there might be problems at a certain place in Mexico, but the the calls for a boycott are a bit silly if you ask me.

chavycha - 1-1-2015 at 08:17 PM

Seems like a lot of work to go to in order to trash some random town in Baja, dontcha think?

We had a negative experience last year in CC with the same cop that Kiterkip encountered. We don't stop there any more.

JoeJustJoe - 1-1-2015 at 08:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chavycha

Seems like a lot of work to go to in order to trash some random town in Baja, dontcha think?

We had a negative experience last year in CC with the same cop that Kiterkip encountered. We don't stop there any more.

Really? The very same cop!

What are the odds?

How do you know it's the same cop?

Did the cop take your license plate?

[Edited on 1-2-2015 by JoeJustJoe]

willardguy - 1-1-2015 at 08:23 PM

welcome to 2015 folks :no:

chavycha - 1-1-2015 at 08:39 PM

Really? The very same cop!
What are the odds?
How do you know it's the same cop?
Did the cop take your license plate?

Tell, the story, and if others are telling the same story, there might be problems at a certain place in Mexico.

I don't understand the 'shoot the messenger' mentality that crops up on this forum. Seems like some of you need to get out from behind your keyboards and travel around a bit.

[Edited on 1-2-2015 by chavycha]

mtgoat666 - 1-1-2015 at 09:22 PM

Peace out!

P.s. I am interested, what common appearance do you victims share?

Jesus. Dozens of cases of this BS occurring in CC, and all Goat can conclude is that it is all the Nomads fault.

well, you can read it whatever way you want. I was simply observing that some people attract crooked cops and some don't. I suspect the cops are good at profiling. I was wondering what is the the lucrative profile. In case I take up a second career in law enforcement.

Posada-BushPilot - 1-1-2015 at 09:39 PM

Kinda Funny CC Story

Last year, heading south for La Paz and doin the drill thru CC, got to the south end and there were a bunch of CC finest standing around and one of them waved me over. Four or five of them were standing behind the guy who waved me over. I think he said I was speeding or sumthin and asked me for my DL.
Well I was in one of my butthead moods (very rare

but I gave him my license (dumb),, and he started rappin. So I say, in a loud voice :"Policia de constutition muy malo hombres" Well the guy gets this funny look on his face, hands me back my license and wave me off. The cops behind him busted up laughin and I think I heard one of the say muy loco gringo, or something like that.
Really pretty stupid on my part, and I would not recommend it, but I just wasn't any mood to play their game. I am always super cautious, full stop and 5 under the speed limit in their little dirtwater town, and not had a problem until this little incident. Pretty funny though, after I drove off I thought, Damn that was funny but also maybe stupid. LOL
If I was not alone I could not of done it without my passenger needing to change his or her pants. :mad:

JoeJustJoe - 1-1-2015 at 11:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chavycha

More than likely. I have a pretty damn sharp memory for things like cops who shake me down for money. However, I can't be certain since the photo quality is poor at best. I would imagine that a city the size of Constitucion only has a handful of transitos.

Again, why would I or Kip go to the trouble of fabricating something like this? There were aspects of Kip's story that rubbed me the wrong way, but I have no doubt that it's real. I'll quote you here for a second --

I don't understand the 'shoot the messenger' mentality that crops up on this forum. Seems like some of you need to get out from behind your keyboards and travel around a bit.

[Edited on 1-2-2015 by chavycha]

Without calling anybody a liar, and I believe I only said some parts of the story sounded exaggerated, specifically the 3000 license plates, and the fact there are easier ways to shake down gringos.

To answer your question, people lie on the internet all the time, for a number of reasons, and that's just a fact.

You come here and call for a boycott in a place in Mexico or Baja, then some hard questions may be asked especially if things don't tend to make sense in their story. If somebody is truthful, they shouldn't have any problem answering some questions, or clearing up any confusions some people may have.

[Edited on 1-2-2015 by JoeJustJoe]

kiterkip - 1-2-2015 at 06:25 AM

Exactly what was the infraction for? Illegal parking?

Yes, Illegal parking. This was on a side street just around the corner from that Latte/Coffee shop on the main highway. As I believe I mentioned... I arrived at a spot and there was a Mx plated car parked there. He pulled away, I pulled in. As we got out of our cars we nodded to the policeman standing there and he smiled and waved back... only to come into the shop 3 minutes later to tell us we were in trouble.
We were two cars, I was "on the sidewalk" When there is no sidewalk, just dirt. My friend was "parked in the crosswalk" again, nothing but dirt.

kiterkip - 1-2-2015 at 06:28 AM

Peace out!

P.s. I am interested, what common appearance do you victims share?

OK, I'll bite: Both of our vehicles were stacked surf board, Rocket Boxes, and trailer hitch double bike racks with brand new Mt Bikes. Washington State Plates.

kiterkip - 1-2-2015 at 06:51 AM

The story seems very plausible, until the end when Kiterkip say," Huh... Oh, and the fine paying room we were in had about 3 thousand confiscated license plates."
Really? Kiterkip was taking photos of everything else. Where is the photos of the 3000 license plates?

Please try to believe this part. I simply neglected to bring my cell phone into the police station. Plus at this point I kindof want to escape hassle-free. Also... WE ARE NOW INSIDE the police station. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but: Is it permitted in US Police Stations, Court Houses, Govt Buildings? Potentially this could have blown up in my face.

There are also a few other problems with the story, from what I know about corrupt Mexican cops.

In the story there is no hint of asking for a bribe from the implied alleged corrupt cop(s) that supposedly removed Kiterkip's license plate, and then came in the restaurant and said in bad English, "teekeets" and then later took out the handcuffs.

Excuse if my post implies a "bribe attempt". None were made, but what was less that honorable was that the police office talked to us as we exited our vehicles and said no more than "Buenos Dias"

BTW the ""teekeets"statement is really uncalled for, especially since Kiterkip said," at some point we demanded an English speaking translator," at the police station. Did the Mexican cops make fun of Kiterkip's Spanish?

OK, You got me here. Noted, this was crappy cultural comment on my part. I was a bit angry as I typed my entry. And this entire incident WAS an argument with 6 rude police officers

So is the whole police station at, Ciudad Constitution, corrupt, and they work as a team? Why didn't the corrupt cop make it easy on everybody and just hint for a bribe up front? If the alleged Mexican cop is corrupt, why not take his share right away, and if he works as a team, just pass up the bribe money up the chain of command at the police station. Better, yet, why didn't he ask for a bribe, and keep all the pesos or dollars for himself, or share with his buddy cop?

It just seems like a lot of trouble to go through, especially when they're going through the legal motions, and then at the end, the "smoking guns" of evidence is right there, the 3000 license plates, the police station, supposedly keeps right there in the "fine payment office," where one day state or federal officials might find.

Who knows if the story is true or not, or just parts exaggerated, but I would never boycott a place in Mexico, just because a person has a story to tell on the internet or some anonymous travel board.

Tell, the story, and if others are telling the same story, there might be problems at a certain place in Mexico, but the the calls for a boycott are a bit silly if you ask me.

It is all true. Maybe it's not so much "corruption" in this particular incident... but IHMO clearly a methodology of enticement and trapping otherwise WHY wouldn't the police officer who smiled and greeted us as we parked our vehicle inform us of the improper parking? Additionally I will clearly state that once we came back to our cars, and there were 6 officers there... it was a all aggressive chest pounding on their part. Am I being too sensitive? Probably.

[Edited on 1-2-2015 by kiterkip]

[Edited on 1-2-2015 by kiterkip]

kiterkip - 1-2-2015 at 07:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chavycha

[Edited on 1-2-2015 by JoeJustJoe]

Again, I'm NOT LYING Maybe a tiny bit shrill... OK. I did not use the word Boycott. I think when I used the term "Avoid" it simply meant take the side road/street I had heard about here on BN.. as well as just move through and do your shopping somewhere else. Gee... I guess this can be read as "boycott".
Did I mention that Francisco, the uber nice police officer/English translator at the station said... and I quote "It's just my boss's, you should go to some other town next time"

Hook - 1-2-2015 at 07:31 AM

Dont fret the Mexico apologists, Kip. They actually dont spend much time down here, like the rest of us. They dont know the reality of Mexico.

Poor Joe is apparently being held captive in his hated Occupied Aztlan and cant even make it to his Nirvana, TJ.

And Goat wonders why the CC cops never shake him down, while he rides by on his bike. :lol:

shari - 1-2-2015 at 07:53 AM

thanks for clarifying your infraction. I remember when many people complained about the problem there and it improved somewhat so seems its time to do that again to remind the government of the problem.

That being said...I would like to mention something to our visitors. Being someone who lives in Baja, I can tell you that tourists very often park illegally, then get irate when they get a ticket. This is generally out of ignorance of the law and significance of paint on the curb dictating the parking situation. But I see many people parked the wrong way on the street as they just think..this is Mexico...so what? They make illegal U-turns and other traffic no no's and can be ticketed...as well as Mexicans doing the same thing. Now...in fairness...sometimes a gringo will get an infraction when a local may not...depending on the local's relationship with the police and town...which is not really unfair...for example my husband fixes all the police radios for free so perhaps they will allow him to park for a moment while getting a 6 pack...(not a real scenario as Juan is always mindful of legal parking...but just an example to explain why a mexican may not get ticketed when you do.)

rts551 - 1-2-2015 at 08:27 AM

Kip, as was pointed out to you on Facebook, there are many parking infractions on the books...one of which, like parking within so many feet of the intersection, you probably violated. Then your challenge to their authority (they are authorized to take licensees and plates or cars) probably just infuriated them.

for a list of parking infractions and the prohibition on u-turns along with what they can do to enforce these laws pls go to Talk Baja (its not my post/information take and copy over here)

monoloco - 1-2-2015 at 08:30 AM

Dont fret the Mexico apologists, Kip. They actually dont spend much time down here, like the rest of us. They dont know the reality of Mexico.

Poor Joe is apparently being held captive in his hated Occupied Aztlan and cant even make it to his Nirvana, TJ.

And Goat wonders why the CC cops never shake him down, while he rides by on his bike. :lol:

This site attracts trolls because they are tolerated, most forums wouldn't put up with them.

unbob - 1-2-2015 at 08:54 AM

I have never been stopped by a cop for anything in Baja. I am interested, what common appearance do you victims share?

Gotta agree with Goat. I have driven through CC and Tecate over 20 times in the past 10 years with no problem whatsoever. Seldom ever seen a cop let alone been stopped. Maybe it's just been blind luck but also I think I must not fit the "profile". Hopefully, my good luck will continue!

DaliDali - 1-2-2015 at 09:06 AM

This site attracts trolls because they are tolerated, most forums wouldn't put up with them.

LIKE!!

dtbushpilot - 1-2-2015 at 09:06 AM

Can't count the number of times I've driven through CC. I usually drive through pretty conservative down the middle lane and stop at all the intersections. Was pulled over once for speeding, I was speeding (by quite a bit), negotiated my best fine and continued on.

JoeJustJoe - 1-2-2015 at 11:46 AM