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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18373
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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Quote: Originally posted by sancho  | Read a city cop, large city I believe, in Mex makes approx. $800 dlls. a month,
one would assume smaller pueblos much less. Not sure
the 'go to the station to pay the fine', adds any legitimacy
to the transaction
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If a cop can collect $400 usd per day by fleecing gringos, then he is making ok money.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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BajaTed
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Posts: 859
Registered: 5-2-2010
Location: Bajamar
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Per the GOAT:
So, the wife of the bad cop gets used to the extra $400 per day.
Which is exactly why you gotta bring up the cop's wife in any discussions you have.
Always state this as the answer to any question or demand.
YOUR WIFE IS GOING TO KILL YOU, then just smile.
Es Todo Bueno
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TSThornton
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 8-25-2021
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Old white guys on the internet have opinions based on virtually no facts. What a surprise. Maybe could have weighed back in sooner, but I've been
blissfully camping on the East Cape with my sweetie who flew down, away from the internet.
With the experience of 11 drives down over the past number years and many flights (and lots of other travel in Mexico and elsewhere) and my son's
experience living in San Diego and driving down frequently for surf, with no prior incidents, I'll admit my guard was not as up as it maybe should
have been. I was not aware of the "I know my rights" resoureces that this topic has revealed to me. In hindsight, I would have hidden my cash. These
things are helpful. The rest, not so much.
No personal property was taken. But, for you tough guys, I did insist on going to the station. I was informed that I would have to be arrested and
travel with them in their car, leaving my dogs. More disussion, and the discussion turned less civil. They very overtly turned off their dash cam,
put my hands against the truck, threatened me with three days of detention then a $1000 fine upon release. They were also regularly on ther radio, so
I don't know who else was involved. I suppose you tough guys would have then whipped out your Chuck Norris spinning back kick and showed them what's
what like your daddy used to did. For me, $200 was easier. You might say it was my responsibility for the greater good to continue to resist andor
follow up with the authorities, and that's fine, but I had a trip to get on with and I might offer an anti-vaccer/personal freedom analogy but I'd
rather get back to the Baja real.
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Don Jorge
Senior Nomad
Posts: 647
Registered: 8-29-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by TSThornton | Old white guys on the internet have opinions based on virtually no facts. What a surprise. Maybe could have weighed back in sooner, but I've been
blissfully camping on the East Cape with my sweetie who flew down, away from the internet.
With the experience of 11 drives down over the past number years and many flights (and lots of other travel in Mexico and elsewhere) and my son's
experience living in San Diego and driving down frequently for surf, with no prior incidents, I'll admit my guard was not as up as it maybe should
have been. I was not aware of the "I know my rights" resoureces that this topic has revealed to me. In hindsight, I would have hidden my cash. These
things are helpful. The rest, not so much.
No personal property was taken. But, for you tough guys, I did insist on going to the station. I was informed that I would have to be arrested and
travel with them in their car, leaving my dogs. More disussion, and the discussion turned less civil. They very overtly turned off their dash cam,
put my hands against the truck, threatened me with three days of detention then a $1000 fine upon release. They were also regularly on ther radio, so
I don't know who else was involved. I suppose you tough guys would have then whipped out your Chuck Norris spinning back kick and showed them what's
what like your daddy used to did. For me, $200 was easier. You might say it was my responsibility for the greater good to continue to resist andor
follow up with the authorities, and that's fine, but I had a trip to get on with and I might offer an anti-vaccer/personal freedom analogy but I'd
rather get back to the Baja real. |
That's the spirit. Sip, pay as you go civil service fees...average them
out over all your trips ...ni modo.
And thanks for sharing your story. These tidbits folks share are a good reminder of what can happen and also what does happen when you brave this
forums gauntlet of "Old white guys on the internet with opinions based on virtually no facts." 
Salud!
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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JC43
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Posts: 498
Registered: 6-21-2014
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| Quote: Originally posted by TSThornton | Old white guys on the internet have opinions based on virtually no facts. What a surprise. Maybe could have weighed back in sooner, but I've been
blissfully camping on the East Cape with my sweetie who flew down, away from the internet.
With the experience of 11 drives down over the past number years and many flights (and lots of other travel in Mexico and elsewhere) and my son's
experience living in San Diego and driving down frequently for surf, with no prior incidents, I'll admit my guard was not as up as it maybe should
have been. I was not aware of the "I know my rights" resoureces that this topic has revealed to me. In hindsight, I would have hidden my cash. These
things are helpful. The rest, not so much.
No personal property was taken. But, for you tough guys, I did insist on going to the station. I was informed that I would have to be arrested and
travel with them in their car, leaving my dogs. More disussion, and the discussion turned less civil. They very overtly turned off their dash cam,
put my hands against the truck, threatened me with three days of detention then a $1000 fine upon release. They were also regularly on ther radio, so
I don't know who else was involved. I suppose you tough guys would have then whipped out your Chuck Norris spinning back kick and showed them what's
what like your daddy used to did. For me, $200 was easier. You might say it was my responsibility for the greater good to continue to resist andor
follow up with the authorities, and that's fine, but I had a trip to get on with and I might offer an anti-vaccer/personal freedom analogy but I'd
rather get back to the Baja real.
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Your story is telling me that you are frequently traveling into Mexico as well as your son is traveling. You are pretending to learn about those
incidents which happened to you. But you do not know the basics at all: No MX cop can take money on the spot. (well they can if the oponent is stupid
enough - I egree) And even at the station... U.S. Dollars??? NO WAY!
So what is your Mexico bashing all about? Suggestion: Tonight, after the shower, look into the mirror ...................! Take care of yourself!
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Don Pisto
Banned
Posts: 1282
Registered: 8-1-2018
Location: El Pescador
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Mood: weary like everyone else
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I can't guarantee its true though
https://www.stupidlaws.com/laws/countries/mexico/
hey Thornton I think you have BN pretty much figured out!
[Edited on 11-4-2021 by Don Pisto]
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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coconuts
Junior Nomad
Posts: 26
Registered: 5-17-2008
Location: BCS or Maui
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TSThorton thanks for the story and info. I have taken yachts, flown my own plane and driven the peninsula at least 20 times and it is always
something new. Thank again for your experience. My dog now ducks down every time we see the Policia
JC 43, why don't you quit bashing everyone and post some recent experiences of your own before given almost every post some negative comment. Like I
said earlier in the thread with your knowledge of Mex and Baja you are guaranteed the governship of both BC and BCS.
Like I use to say for 30 years as an ATC when I switch some trouble making aircraft to departure, "Good Day SIR" and SIR certainly DID NOT mean
Sir.
JC43 Good Day SIR
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JC43
Nomad
Posts: 498
Registered: 6-21-2014
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| Quote: Originally posted by coconuts | TSThorton thanks for the story and info. I have taken yachts, flown my own plane and driven the peninsula at least 20 times and it is always
something new. Thank again for your experience. My dog now ducks down every time we see the Policia
JC 43, why don't you quit bashing everyone and post some recent experiences of your own before given almost every post some negative comment. Like I
said earlier in the thread with your knowledge of Mex and Baja you are guaranteed the governship of both BC and BCS.
Like I use to say for 30 years as an ATC when I switch some trouble making aircraft to departure, "Good Day SIR" and SIR certainly DID NOT mean
Sir.
JC43 Good Day SIR |
I am driving my Rolls Royce everyday up and down Baja only to catch the attention of the Police. If pulled over I pay before the officer can tell me
what I did wrong. (Mostly with $300 notes - have bundled them into blocks of 10) But even better, I do fly from NOB to Cabo every week about 10 times
learning a lot of what is going on at the border crossing of TJ, Mexicali or Otay and others. If I am NOB I use my chopper just to cross the border
without permission to get attention of the MX Military.
What else? Let me think until tomorrow................................ 
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eguillermo
Nomad
Posts: 113
Registered: 10-10-2008
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Mexicali mordida still a thing
FYI, this sort of thing is definitely still going on. A few weeks ago, I got pulled over for swerving just a little, to avoid a car backing out of a
parking spot. When I pled this to the cop at the window, he even admitted that he saw the car pulling out (maybe that driver was part of the scam?)
Anyway, I have read umpteen times that the only course is to suck it up and go to the station to pay the fine, so with a sinking feeling at losing at
least a morning of the trip in the least attractive place on the route (Mexicali; is there anywhere worse?), I tried to accept the situation.
Only problem is, these cops weren't having it. They quickly turned up the heat in a way described above, with "more discussion, and the discussion
turned less civil. They very overtly turned off their dash cam, put my hands against the truck, threatened me . . ." Suddenly it was "you have drugs?
Eh?" and the pat-down and the full search, and all manner of half-comprehensible threats about searching my record over three days while I waited in
jail, etc (my Spanish is good but not fluent).
It seemed to take forever to get to brass tacks as cars drove by and a few pedestrians walked by glaring. Once another cruiser drove by, which seemed
to concern them and may have helped move things along.
The first number the guy floated was ridiculous. I had indeed made the mistake of carrying a quantity of cash with my passport, which they had fully
found and fingered. In the end I gave them (effectively, they extorted) an amount smaller than half the first ask, and I felt "grateful" to get away
from their harassment and the strong smell of bad cologne (sorry, but a real factor; took a while to get it out of the truck). It took about two
minutes before I did exactly what one poster mentioned above -- averaging it out among my dozen trips down, and, in that context, finding it a pretty
reasonable "mordida."
I got minorly lost on my way back to the sentri lane on the way home, and spotted another gringo, in another truck, in midafternoon, with the cops at
his window in roughly the same place (the couple of turns after Calle de los Presidentes) and thought, "hope the guy does OK with that BS." OR maybe
he ran a light 
The oddest thing was how little I cared or even thought about this shakedown after getting on the road in the desert and getting the cab aired out. I
decided not to talk about it while down there and just forget about it, but report as a PSA when I got back. Which is this . Hopefully it helps someone, and for any internet trolls who want to argue with me or
call me an idiot, please go bark at the mirror and leave me out of your sad drama.
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4289
Registered: 4-24-2009
Location: La Paz, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: happy - always
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| Quote: Originally posted by sancho | Read a city cop, large city I believe, in Mex makes approx. $800 dlls. a month,
one would assume smaller pueblos much less. Not sure
the 'go to the station to pay the fine', adds any legitimacy
to the transaction
|
Police on patrol in La Paz makes about $100 a week.
Harald Pietschmann
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gallesram
Nomad
Posts: 384
Registered: 7-6-2010
Location: Laguna Beach
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| Quote: Originally posted by eguillermo | FYI, this sort of thing is definitely still going on. A few weeks ago, I got pulled over for swerving just a little, to avoid a car backing out of a
parking spot. When I pled this to the cop at the window, he even admitted that he saw the car pulling out (maybe that driver was part of the scam?)
Anyway, I have read umpteen times that the only course is to suck it up and go to the station to pay the fine, so with a sinking feeling at losing at
least a morning of the trip in the least attractive place on the route (Mexicali; is there anywhere worse?), I tried to accept the situation.
Only problem is, these cops weren't having it. They quickly turned up the heat in a way described above, with "more discussion, and the discussion
turned less civil. They very overtly turned off their dash cam, put my hands against the truck, threatened me . . ." Suddenly it was "you have drugs?
Eh?" and the pat-down and the full search, and all manner of half-comprehensible threats about searching my record over three days while I waited in
jail, etc (my Spanish is good but not fluent).
It seemed to take forever to get to brass tacks as cars drove by and a few pedestrians walked by glaring. Once another cruiser drove by, which seemed
to concern them and may have helped move things along.
The first number the guy floated was ridiculous. I had indeed made the mistake of carrying a quantity of cash with my passport, which they had fully
found and fingered. In the end I gave them (effectively, they extorted) an amount smaller than half the first ask, and I felt "grateful" to get away
from their harassment and the strong smell of bad cologne (sorry, but a real factor; took a while to get it out of the truck). It took about two
minutes before I did exactly what one poster mentioned above -- averaging it out among my dozen trips down, and, in that context, finding it a pretty
reasonable "mordida."
I got minorly lost on my way back to the sentri lane on the way home, and spotted another gringo, in another truck, in midafternoon, with the cops at
his window in roughly the same place (the couple of turns after Calle de los Presidentes) and thought, "hope the guy does OK with that BS." OR maybe
he ran a light
The oddest thing was how little I cared or even thought about this shakedown after getting on the road in the desert and getting the cab aired out. I
decided not to talk about it while down there and just forget about it, but report as a PSA when I got back. Which is this . Hopefully it helps someone, and for any internet trolls who want to argue with me or
call me an idiot, please go bark at the mirror and leave me out of your sad drama. |
Scary story for sure; thanks for sharing it. Sometimes wrong place, wrong time & not much you can do about it. I don't think there's a formula
that works in every circumstance; you need to "read the room" and make decisions on the fly. How egregious were your actions? How aggressive is the
cop acting? How much cash do you have? Do you have to get to your destination before nightfall? Etc. etc. I have been pulled over probably 6 times
in 20 years and sometimes I pay, sometimes I don't.
I will say that once I started using the Sindicatura sticker I seemed to get pulled over less frequently (mostly happened on the mainland). My theory
is that the cops would see that I was aware of the issue and decided it wasn't worth their time hassling with me; there are plenty of other Gringos
who don't have a sticker. Sort of like a crook who cases a neighborhood and avoids the houses with a security system placard in the yard. Guaranteed
to avoid a problem? No way. But it's a cheap deterrent.
In your case, if I had my hands on the trunk of my car and cops were saying "drugs?" I'd think long and hard before playing hardball much longer.
Motorcycle "transito" cops who are solo are typically easier to play hardball with. You're right, better to average it out over the number of trips
you take to Mexico and factor it in as the "price of admission". You made the right call under those circumstances.
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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"In your case, if I had my hands on the trunk of my car and cops were saying "drugs?" I'd think long and hard before playing hardball much longer.
Motorcycle "transito" cops who are solo are typically easier to play hardball with. You're right, better to average it out over the number of trips
you take to Mexico and factor it in as the "price of admission". You made the right call under those circumstances."
Good advice gallesram.
Speaking of motrocycle transito cops, I had an experience in November. I was leaving La Paz southbound towards Todos Santos on that long six lane
stretch with all the stop lights. The moto cop lit me up for driving gringo in my 15 year old honda Pilot with SD plates. Something in me just snapped
and I was having none of it. I started singing to the radio and proceeded along with traffic. He pulled up on the left side of me and bleeped his
electric horn and waved me over. I saw this in the corner of my eye, but just kept driving, not giving him my attention. Soon he was behind me again
as we negotiated the traffic and I just kept singing and driving. At last we stopped at a red light and he pulled up on the right side and rapped on
the passenger side window. I looked over at him with the most distainful look I could muster and waved him off with the back of my hand. I looked back
forward and in a moment I noticed he was gone.
For the next few miles I was in fear that I would encounter a road block or something, but as the minutes passed I got the best rush of euphoria! I
totally disrespected that guy and I won!
I got away with it, but looking back I'm not convinced it was the best approach. Over the years I too have paid em off and talked my way out depending
on the circumstances. Nobody can tell you from their couch which is the best route to take. Follow your instincts.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3507
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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gnu kid would argue that. My ideas are in line with his.
There are some basics. Hide the cash you carry. Keep things light. Smile, relax, speak like you know the cop and are happy to see them. Ask
about the family. Something along those lines.
I've never been to ''the station'' and I'll never visit one willingly. Rationale is too long and any logic thinking you'll get justice or fairness
there is naive.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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I followed the cops to the station in Ciudad Constitution about 10 years ago on a parking shake down. They marched me past the desk and into a small
room where the same cops proceeded to do the same negotiation we started on the street. We came to an agreement and I was on my way but it would have
been easier and much quicker on the street. I agree with your "basics" Lee.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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eguillermo
Nomad
Posts: 113
Registered: 10-10-2008
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Definitely, I wish I had thought more about the basics as stated, "Hide the cash you carry. Keep things light. Smile, relax, speak like you know the
cop and are happy to see them."
After so many trips with no issues, my guard was way down. In the future, less cash, hidden better, and lighter attitude too. I was freaked out
about getting stopped, and showing it was probably like showing fear to an aggressive dog.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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guerrero negro
here's an interesting tidbit from fb a few weeks ago....needless to say if you're a fb hater (and believe kari lake will be our savior) feel free to
just move along
"Hello guys, most of you travelers need to spend one night in Guerrero Negro, for our location, is the best place to spend a night and continue the
next day down to south or north, please, if you guys are having problems or issues with local police, and you know that you aren’t committing any
violation, please, look for Hotel Caracoles and ask for Rafa, every year on the whale season we have the same problem, and it’s so embarrassing for
us to see how local cops harassing our tourist, most of you guys dont speak Español, and of course our cops don’t speak any inglés, so, need help?
You know that no violation is committed? Look for me, we are tired of seen this situation over and over again, I’m
Not doing this for money, or to get customers, thank God we always have, I’m just trying to help out and give to our traveleres a good experience
in Baja.
Again, no all the cops are looking for money, some cops are pretty helpful and honest, but if you are having a hard time with local police, let me
know, I’m not a lawyer, I’m not a off duty cop, I’m not looking for money, I’m just tired and angry to see this ugly situation in my
hometown."
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3507
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by El Jefe | | I followed the cops to the station in Ciudad Constitution about 10 years ago on a parking shake down. They marched me past the desk and into a small
room where the same cops proceeded to do the same negotiation we started on the street. We came to an agreement and I was on my way but it would have
been easier and much quicker on the street. I agree with your "basics" Lee. |
Nice. At least the outcome wasn't worse than the street (I think).
There are two stories I'm aware of about ''the station.'' Someone I know well from Pescadero also got stopped in Ciudad, at night. My friend got
a little pi$$y (on the street) and insisted they go to the station. He too ended up in a backroom and hassled. Don't know how much he negotiated
but he lost time. Came away PO'd about the outcome.
Other story is about an elderly couple in Tecate. Pocket knife became an issue, shakedown at the station, outcome was not good and they were very
upset with the threats made against them.
Just saying. Doubt there will ever be research about street vs. station. I think there is less leverage at the station. Also don't think money
collected at the station will go in the coffer, but divided up with those present at the shakedown.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy amable
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Some years back I was stopped in South TJ, around La Gloria. Fairly early Sunday morning, not any traffic. Cop said I missed a stop sign but I
suspect the real issue was DAP (Driving a Porsche) He suggested we go to the station.
Went inside and waited at the counter. Out of the back room comes a little rumpled looking guy, carrying a mop and yawning.
He came to the counter, leaned the swab against the wall, reached down and found his chief of police hat.
Once he installed his hat he was all business.
Ten bucks and on my way to the border.
((No I did not go back to see if indeed there was a sign I had missed)
I guess the moral of the story is to not DAP in Mexico.
Current policy is DWF (Drive wife's Ford) So far no more encounters.
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Don Jorge
Senior Nomad
Posts: 647
Registered: 8-29-2003
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In my experiences in such matters, "Pay as you go civil service fees" almost always incur additional expenses in either time, money, or both, the more
layers one adds to the equation. Keep it simple?
I was stopped in La Paz this past December by a traffic cop. I was on cell phone and he saw it. I was wrong. He said fine was 2000 pesos and he
showed his printed and laminated cheat sheet on what any possible infraction would could cost his mark if they went to the station to pay. It showed
gumption on his part and I told him so. He said thank you.
He asked for my DL and said he would take it to the station where I could pay fine and recover the DL. I said no worries, I don't need that DL, I
have other copies. He laughed.
Encounter ended amicably with both sides happy.
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2306
Registered: 4-23-2006
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I always ask for the cops first name, and use it in conversation.i never stop smiling.
And i behave like i have all day to deal with the issue at hand.
Seems to be a good strategy for the most part.
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