BajaNomad

The reality of not paying a mordida story

BajaBlanca - 12-21-2021 at 09:21 AM

Originally posted in TALK BAJA



“The cost of not paying a bribe in Tijuana”

I’ve gotten a lot of good info on this forum so I hope the following post will help someone. This is more about sharing info than a gripe. Long post warning.
Long story short I inadvertently stopped on/in a rarely used dedicated bus lane while trying to get out of backed up traffic on a major Blvd. Seems like no big deal. No harm no foul.
Cop says it’s a $6,000 peso fine plus fees and my truck gets impounded. “Tow truck is on its way”, he says repeatedly. It’s a shakedown.
I’ve always known that vehicles can’t be impounded for minor moving violations so I call his bluff. I would rather pay any fine than a bribe so I ask the officer several times to escort me to the police station to pay the fine but he refuses.
Cop offers to “help me out” and asks for $5,000 pesos cash and to pay him the fine. He even suggests I go to the ATM at the Calimax market next to us to get the cash.
I refuse to pay the bribe. He’s peeed! The tow truck arrives and they impounded my truck and tow it away. I’m in shock. I find out later there is nothing I can do till Monday. I’m now stuck in TJ! I visit two separate police stations that afternoon and find out what I need to do come Monday to recover my truck.
Turns out the cop wasn’t bluffing about the required impound of my truck for what seems to be a minor violation. In 2018 Tijuana changed its traffic code and modified certain “artículos” to require the automatic impound of your vehicle in certain cases. Seems that having tinted windows may also be one of them. The traffic cops certainly take advantage of these new traffic codes and use it in their favor to target drivers. Turns out not many people in TJ know about these changes either. Could the cop have allowed me to pay the fine and generated income for the city and let me go on my way? Absolutely. But he abused his authority and wanted to make money for himself instead.
Three police station judges I spoke with could not believe the cop didn’t allow me to pay the fine. They encouraged me to file a complaint against the officer which I did, easy process.
So what was it going to take to get my truck back Monday morning?
Original ID or drivers license.
Original registration card.
Original insurance card.
Original title of vehicle if paid off.
If vehicle not paid off proof of last three finance/bank payments showing in good standing.
If vehicle is 2010 model year or later procedure can only be completed at TJ city hall.
Only registered owner or legal representative can process release of vehicle at city hall.
Only registered owner can pickup vehicle from impound yard.
Names on all ownership docs and ID must match.
Payment amount of this fine $5,800 pesos or $290USD…really! Lots of high fines now in TJ.
Tow and impound fee $1,500 pesos $75USD.
You’ll need 4 copies of each document before showing up at city hall.
All police stations and city hall cashiers accept credit/debit cards.
Monday morning 9am I arrive at city hall and I was number 44 in line. The first 14 people had been there on Saturday and were not processed. It’s closed on Sunday. To my surprise an older gentleman comes up to me and offers expedited service. I’m curious. He walks me strait to the office, we talk to “the guy”, he checks the docs, I pay the fine and fees, he gives me a service number, and he points to the line. I have to wait. Turns out Mexico checks with US authorities, per joint agreement, to confirm legal ownership of detained US registered vehicles before they are released. Kinda cool really. This explains the need for all the original docs. There’s a convenient copy/internet place across the street from city hall.
Three hours later they call my name again and hand me two packets of docs with lots of official seals and stamps. Cost for expedited service at city hall…$1,000 pesos, $50USD, cash. I’ve paid $80USD for expedited passport service in the US and that takes a week. With the city hall and police station release docs in hand I walked to the impound yard 5 blocks away to recover my truck. Nothing was missing and the yard guy was relieved my truck is leaving.
I didn’t feed the machine by paying off the cop. I paid the fine and then some. I was inconvenienced by the process and the bureaucracy. Yes, it was very painful. In all including fees, fines, hotel, meals and tequila I was out of pocket about $800USD and 2 days time. Yes, I needed lots of tequila therapy.
I travel through Mexicali and Tecate as often as I do TJ and have NEVER seen this type of aggression and targeting by the municipales. Tijuana is some kind of special. I grew up in the area, speak Spanish fluently, know what’s up, yet this cop was on a mission and I could not talk my way out of it.
I was not aware of the process one has to navigate to release an impounded vehicle and neither are many people that I know that live in TJ. I was fortunate I had all the proper docs with me.
You’re either the type that pays the fine or feeds the machine. This was my experience. I’m not looking for input, feedback or suggestions. I just hope this info helps you. Safe travels in Baja.

John Harper - 12-21-2021 at 09:47 AM

If they impounded his vehicle, where did these "original docs" come from, especially if he was stranded in TJ after vehicle impounded? I'd have to come back to the US to get my title certificate, and who has a duplicate original registration document (that would be kept in the vehicle)?

Interesting story.

John

100X - 12-21-2021 at 09:54 AM

Yikes, what a story!

I give the OP credit for sticking to his convictions and, ultimately, filing a complaint against the officer.

I have dealt with the police station/station judge in Ensenada and found both the Mexican judge and system in several ways to be superior to that in the US. Hopefully, that it got to this level will have some positive impact.

BajaTed - 12-21-2021 at 10:00 AM

Blanca, sorry for situation, but you did the right thing.
The cop will be ostracized by his peers for screwing up the golden goose gig of TJ traffic law fine collections on the spot, his wife will be mad too. You sensed the impound guys relief and disbelief how the cop screwed up the pinch. All parties will come down on him, corruptions chain of command is strong street stuff. On the good side, your truck will be a known entity and I doubt it will occur again.

John Harper - 12-21-2021 at 10:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaTed  
Blanca, sorry for situation, but you did the right thing.
The cop will be ostracized by his peers for screwing up the golden goose gig of TJ traffic law fine collections on the spot, his wife will be mad too. You sensed the impound guys relief and disbelief how the cop screwed up the pinch. All parties will come down on him, corruptions chain of command is strong street stuff. On the good side, your truck will be a known entity and I doubt it will occur again.


She's posting up another person's tale. It's not her narrative.

John

BajaTed - 12-21-2021 at 10:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
Quote: Originally posted by BajaTed  
Blanca, sorry for situation, but you did the right thing.
The cop will be ostracized by his peers for screwing up the golden goose gig of TJ traffic law fine collections on the spot, his wife will be mad too. You sensed the impound guys relief and disbelief how the cop screwed up the pinch. All parties will come down on him, corruptions chain of command is strong street stuff. On the good side, your truck will be a known entity and I doubt it will occur again.


She's posting up another person's tale. It's not her narrative.

John


Oops; your correct, somebody's truck is still known.

geoffff - 12-21-2021 at 04:09 PM

Sure makes me excited to not drive through Tijuana anytime soon.

scotinexcile - 12-21-2021 at 04:19 PM

Moral of the story, dont park in the bus lane!

geoffff - 12-21-2021 at 04:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
If they impounded his vehicle, where did these "original docs" come from, especially if he was stranded in TJ after vehicle impounded?


on the FB Ramon said,
Quote:
Yes. I had to get a special authorization from the police station to get the correct registration while the truck was in the impound yard. This was an extra Uber trip.

John Harper - 12-21-2021 at 04:38 PM

The only item that really caught my eye was the need for "original title of ownership." He could probably also retrieve his insurance card as well from the truck, and likely has his ID/DL/PP on person.

And, stories like this are often recited after a tense experience, so details can get muddled.

Let's hope all is well, lessons learned, and knowledge passed on.

John

Don Pisto - 12-21-2021 at 04:46 PM

https://www.elimparcial.com/tijuana/tijuana/Policias-piden-m...


victims do have the option of reporting bad behavior either in person or with the phone app, this OP jumped thru all the hoops, good for him. would I? probably not. don't park in the bus lane.

mtgoat666 - 12-21-2021 at 04:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  

Long story short I inadvertently stopped on/in a rarely used dedicated bus lane while trying to get out of backed up traffic on a major Blvd. Seems like no big deal. No harm no foul.


He purposely drove down a bus lane where his car was prohibited. He must gave driven past multiple signs. Serves him right, probably.

Moral of the story: pay attention to signs, and get over your mistaken notion that behaving morally/legally is optional in mexico.

BajaBlanca - 12-21-2021 at 06:41 PM

Moral of the story? I think it is that this is Christmastime and everyone is a target even for the smallest of infractions.

WestyWanderer - 12-21-2021 at 07:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  

Long story short I inadvertently stopped on/in a rarely used dedicated bus lane while trying to get out of backed up traffic on a major Blvd. Seems like no big deal. No harm no foul.


He purposely drove down a bus lane where his car was prohibited. He must gave driven past multiple signs. Serves him right, probably.

Moral of the story: pay attention to signs, and get over your mistaken notion that behaving morally/legally is optional in mexico.


Yea since we all know Mexico is known for its excellent signage :lol::lol::lol:

Thanks for sharing Blanca.

[Edited on 12-22-2021 by WestyWanderer]

freediverbrian - 12-21-2021 at 09:24 PM

Who travels with proof of ownership? My pink slip is in my desk at home. How any people carry that ?

Lee - 12-21-2021 at 09:55 PM

Something about the moral superiority, righteous indignation some gringoes display around MX corruption, makes me laugh.

Feed the machine, don't perpetuate corruption, you're just making it harder on the next victim. Nothing but bullshlt, but that's my opinion.

Looks like a case of biting off your nose to spite your face.

I know what my time is worth. I measure it in billable hours if I was on the clock.

This gringo copped an attitude and the cop copped one back. Not the way to start a friendly negotiation.

Here's some seasoned advice for the holy rollers out there. The justice you think you'll get at a police station is a myth.

If you're stopped, make the interaction a good one, be friendly, apologetic, as Paul would suggest, ask the cop about his family, show him pictures of your kids. Be creative.

JDCanuck - 12-21-2021 at 11:57 PM

Mexico, US or Canada the police deserve the respect due to their office and service. Lack of respect IMHO leads to decreased personal pride in the force and increased levels of corruption. Apologetic respectful reactions when a police officer has stopped me has yielded me a huge amount of forgiveness. The one questionable fine I had to pay in La Paz was only a small amount of payback.
Mordida? I would not pay it out of respect for all the service oriented police officers that provide exceptional public protection.

John Harper - 12-22-2021 at 06:18 AM

One of my roommate's neighbors in Campo Lopez hit a bus last year. Her truck was impounded, and she had to come up to the US to retrieve her pink slip and present it to the Mexican authorities. So, it seems true that the pink slip is required.

John

[Edited on 12-22-2021 by John Harper]

Skipjack Joe - 12-22-2021 at 06:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck  
Mexico, US or Canada the police deserve the respect due to their office and service. Lack of respect IMHO leads to decreased personal pride in the force and increased levels of corruption. Apologetic respectful reactions when a police officer has stopped me has yielded me a huge amount of forgiveness. The one questionable fine I had to pay in La Paz was only a small amount of payback.
Mordida? I would not pay it out of respect for all the service oriented police officers that provide exceptional public protection.


You earn respect. Giving a citation without any written document that contains your name and signature and an arbitrary fine amount will not garner any respect. These cops are crooks and should be treated as such.

pacificobob - 12-22-2021 at 06:38 AM

A Mexican friend once passed along some useful council for traffic stops.
Never stop smiling, and don't be in a hurry while negotiating.

100X - 12-22-2021 at 09:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
A Mexican friend once passed along some useful council for traffic stops.
Never stop smiling, and don't be in a hurry while negotiating.


Some of the best advice ever!

As I noted above, I got to spend about 8 hours in the Ensenada police station. I am not sure I can remember ever getting to deal with a more professional group of people in my life, anywhere.

I and a friend caught a person who stole his truck (with his 16 year old niece asleep in the back seat). The police's immediate response (with machine guns), the police station and everyone there, and having the trial that night in front of the judge that was on site was exceptional. The thief was sentenced and sent to prison that night!

I had a similar situation happen in San Diego a year or two earlier and I will not go into the poor response I received then.

I, too, have paid "mordida" on one occasion I thought was questionable. I did as Pacificobob's friend suggested and it cost $40 (a while ago, yes). However, I have also been given tickets (plural) in the states I thought were just as questionable, if not more so (question: Lidar, if the cop understands where the limit line is and if he understands it, and red light cameras!).

Police everywhere are great and deserve our respect, even when practicing an age old ritual in Mexico that we are not used to. Look at it as a game, not the end of the world. And, if you decide to take a stand--which I also respect a lot--know the station, station judge, and department that takes complaints are very likely more engaged and professional than those in the place from which you come.

bajaric - 12-22-2021 at 11:51 AM


It seems a little extreme to impound a vehicle for a traffic ticket. On the other hand, several years ago here in the US, I had neglected to renew my driver's license and it had expired about a week earlier. I got pulled over for a broken taillight and got a ticket for that and also the expired license. I said, "Give me a break" and the officer said, "I am giving you a break, if I had a trainee with me your car would be getting towed".

So, apparently in the US your car can be impounded for driving without a license. But to get towed for driving in a bus lane seems ridiculous.

Ah well, es Mexico. I will say that when dealing with the policia it is not a good idea to get belligerent. Anywhere in the world, talking smack to a cop will earn you a time out in the back seat of a patrol car, for their own safety and just because police get tired of dealing with angry belligerent people all the time. Better to smile and play the nice game.

Don Pisto - 12-22-2021 at 02:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaric  

It seems a little extreme to impound a vehicle for a traffic ticket.



want a visit from the grua? park in a OXXO spot on Benny Juarez without a purchase! I think they might be in cahoots;)