| Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
..
9 |
rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
|
|
as to someone making "over 60 trips thru Constituion" and never having a problem..."over the years" doesn't reflect the current reality. the blatant
extortion has only been going on for about nine months, hitting a high and continuing level since February 2010. please make a few trips through now
and report back. I made three or four 'successful' round trips in January/February, utilizing back streets and very careful driving, but the south of
town cop block has now been moved further out to counter that. I live in a small community south of Loreto and I estimate, from their reports, that
60-70% of people I know from here making the trip have been stopped in the past few months, a number of those getting hit twice, once southbound, once
northbound.
I do not like feeling 'hostage' to wondering if I can run the gauntlet successfully each time I think about driving thru the city.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Flyfish:
After 38 years visiting an living in Mesico, talking to my many Friends, I learned that many, many of the Mesicanos are taught in their Early years
that the United States stole Calif. and the Southwestfrom Mesico and that they should at every opportunity try to get even by getting anything from an
Americano Possible.
This idea can be seen in many of the books writtin about Mexico.
My friends tell me the following."When the Americanos learn that 30kmh is not 40 MPH we will stop giving them Tickets"" Tell them the 30kph signs were
installed when it was discovered that the Americanos could not Read!!!
You do not make a legal Left or Right Turn if you are part way into the intersection. You are required to stay where you are and not move until the
light changes to Green.
I will strongly urge everyone that writes a letter of Protest to the Tourism Bureau to keep a copy and if stopped, show it to the Officer.
Finally, Constitution was formed many years ago by some very hardworking ///families and Groups from Interior mexico. Whole villages were moved to
take advantage of the Newly discovered Water. Over the years they have worked hard and made their families and Lives just as important as some of thos
hard working Families in the States.
Skeet
|
|
|
fishabductor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 800
Registered: 5-29-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
I also think it woyuld be much better for Mexico to stay the same than to change to a "Drug riddin DOPE Country of Young uneducated Whimps"".
Skeet |
Now that's funny...I forgot that most of Mexico's youth are highly educated and 100% sober.
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Off Subject:
Challenge:
I challenge you to attend a 6th or 7th Grade Class in one of the Schools in Constitution then attend the same Grade Class ain any large City in the
States, then come back and report the Truth.
It is unbeleivable what goes on in an Ameican Public School , There are a lot of Dummies setting in class with their Text Machines not learning a
Thing. Just think the few that do pay attention and learn will controll those Dummies doing the Twitter.
Skeet
|
|
|
fishabductor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 800
Registered: 5-29-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Off Subject:
Challenge:
I challenge you to attend a 6th or 7th Grade Class in one of the Schools in Constitution then attend the same Grade Class ain any large City in the
States, then come back and report the Truth.
It is unbeleivable what goes on in an Ameican Public School , There are a lot of Dummies setting in class with their Text Machines not learning a
Thing. Just think the few that do pay attention and learn will controll those Dummies doing the Twitter.
Skeet |
I agree.... to an extent. But there are lots and lots of kids in mexico who don't go to school. There are lots and lots of kids drinking and doing
drugs at a very young age.
The same goes for Mexico as far as paying attention , the ones that pay attention and excel are the ones that are going to run the country in the
upcoming years. And hopefully they'll change mexico for the better.
[Edited on 7-8-2010 by fishabductor]
|
|
|
Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Skeet,
It is true that ethnocentricity is not only characteristic of people from the USofA, it is also alive and well in Mexico. "We don't attach that third
wire to a ground here in Mexico, we don't need it here, they do that up north". It was an act of god when no one attached the ground wire to the
Hacienda where we set up our clinic and our equipment blew up! "Mexican brains are better than the brains of people up north". I was told this when I
was engaged in brain research and neurofeedback in the USofA and Mexico. I have heard it all Skeet.
I love Mexico and it's people. Through out history Mexicans have been known for their friendliness, hospitality and kindness. There is a very strong
religious backbone in Mexico and values are important to most of the people.
There is a horrible wave of violence now wracking Mexico and it has cost Mexico dearly. Tourism is one of the major sources of income for Mexico and
it is way down in large part because of criminal behavior and FEAR that people will be molested by criminals in Mexico.
We have all read stories and seen pictures of police being involved in murder, drug running, kidnapping and extortion. We have clear evidence that the
Police of Ciudad Constitution are engaging in Extortion. Why would we not fear that they may also either be engaged in or will engage in Kidnapping,
Murder and the Drug trade? It is a very slippery slope when we allow "minor" criminal behavior is accepted as normative. This is why it is important
to cover graffiti as soon as it appears. Minor crime results in a corrosion of community values. Mexicans do not like their police stealing from them
either.
When police stop and shake down visitors on the ONLY Federal highway that connects North and South Baja that further impacts tourism and the economy
of local communities. It is a gauntlet for people who live in and near Ciudad Constitution that requires them to be FEARFUL each time they drive thru
that town. Fear and intimidation are the tools used by criminals to pacify their victims.
If people have experienced Police Extortion in Ciudad Constitution in the recent past I hope they will join the others who have sent detailed reports
of their experience to:
American Citizen Services
US Consulate General Tijuana
ACSTijuana@state.gov
We now have a powerful tool that can be used to communicate with each other and numbers to support us in addressing this issue. I hope that all Nomads
will use whatever means at their disposal to spread the news. Report Extortion in Ciudad Constitution and provide this information to everyone you
can. Now is this time to act. Now is not the time to snipe at each other or engage in superficial dialogue. Do this for your fellow Nomads and the
good people of Ciudad Constitution and cities to the south that are being affected by this criminal activity.
Iflyfish
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Flyfish: There are many more ways to help the Tourists going "On the only Federal Highway"" than writing some letters that will be dumped in a Trash
Can.
First you must realize that Tourists are Viloating the 30 kph speed limit as they have not learned the difference between Miles Per Hour. Many of the
Stops are justified and Accruate!!! That also goes for entering an Intersection when the light changes .
There is much more Criminal Activity going on in the Streets of CABO than anywhere in Baja. Those Criminal Activites are being committed by Tourists!!
Positive:
It my belief I think that the change back to the PRI will in the next few years change some parts of Baja and Mexico for the good. Time will tell.
Mexico will never basically change unless the People decide an start a Revolution.
I would not like it to change like the Bad Changes occurring in the States.
Skeet
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Hey Skeet...Do you have any photos of that waitress with the humongous hooters? This is really important. 
|
|
|
fishabductor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 800
Registered: 5-29-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
First you must realize that Tourists are Viloating the 30 kph speed limit as they have not learned the difference between Miles Per Hour. Many of the
Stops are justified and Accruate!!! That also goes for entering an Intersection when the light changes .
Skeet |
What's your badge Number?
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
There is something suspicious about Skeets emails. if you read Skeets email in the past they were earnest and had quite a few typos and a certain
style, these recent emails are far more formed, well written sort of mimicking the old style, and now Skeet mentions Twitter? No way. And Skeet would
not focus on the US he talks about Mexico. Something fishy here.
|
|
|
tfinbaja
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 7-8-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
I'm going to be driving North through CC next week (just passing through). What does everyone think about this strategy:
Drive slow (below 30 kph or whatever is posted), stop at every intersection that doesn't have a stop light (being careful about anyone behind me of
course), and only drive through solid green lights, not flashing.
Thoughts?
[Edited on 7-8-2010 by tfinbaja]
[Edited on 7-8-2010 by tfinbaja]
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Flyfish:
I will Hope and Pray that all Tourists going through Constitution would do something:
In the States get a Couple of old Suitcases, fill them with Warm Jackets that will fit from3 to 13. As you go into Constitution about 2 Blocks West of
the main Center of Town is the General Hospital. Take the Suitcases with Jackets there and ask for the Director. Give him the Jackests and tell him
they are from the "Warm Jackets for Cold Kids Charity. That a guy called "Mosco} ask you to bring them.
The Kids of Western Constitution will thank you as I will.
No gnukid ; It is me. I have just had my very smart and lovely Granddaughter visiting me. She helped me in a Number of ways. Made me realize that our
Schools are in worse shape than I had originally thought them to be!!We had some very good Discussions which show me that all those Twitter,Text,
Internuts, are Dummies for not looking around and having direct Contact with People. She will be a Leader some day!!
I would like very much to see some of you Cry-Baby Weak-minded,Whimps, start figuting out Solutions to the Problems, instead of spending your time
:Blaming" everyone else for your own Shortcomings!!
Same Ole Skeet!
|
|
|
Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by tfinbaja
I'm going to be driving North through CC next week (just passing through). What does everyone think about this strategy:
Drive slow (below 30 kph or whatever is posted), stop at every intersection that doesn't have a stop light (being careful about anyone behind me of
course), and only drive through solid green lights, not flashing.
Thoughts?
|
As long as you have honesty, integrity and 'mind your own business' you'll be fine.
Skeet has assured us.
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Fishabductor"
Badge Number 007!
Texas Hi School 105 lb Boxing Champion
Amarillo Golden Gloves champion
New Mexico Golden Gloves champion
Korean War Veteran
Flight Engineer PBT6A
Degree in Criminology/Police Science\\
Special Investigator State of Calif.{Hollywood/South Central LA}
Aviation Accident Investigator
Property Investment
Private Investigator Nevada Brothells
Lover of the Sea of Cortez
|
|
|
rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
First you must realize that Tourists are Viloating the 30 kph speed limit as they have not learned the difference between Miles Per Hour. Many of the
Stops are justified and Accruate!!! That also goes for entering an Intersection when the light changes .
Skeet |
Skeet, your affection for Mexico/Mexicans is apparent in your posts and I have no doubt that your love and affection for many of the citizens of
Constitucion is based on long term and valid personal experience. perhaps you could use your influence there to let the good folks know what a
negative view of their city the police are generating among the foreign community.
of course some inexperienced tourists may not realize the difference between kms and miles, and many more may think the posted limits are too low,
especially when passed at higher speeds by drivers of all nationalities. regardless, exceeding the speed limit is illegal anywhere. entering an
intersection after the light changes is common both sides of the border and, yes, is a traffic violation in both countries.
as to the current flurry of stops in Constitucion: during the time frame under discussion, I have personally heard of NO one (among my many friends
and acquaintances who have been stopped) saying speeding was the alleged infraction. nor, if I remember correctly, has speeding been mentioned in
the current three threads on the subject...I could be wrong, though, I admit thinking of reading through all those pages again just makes me tired.
not stopping at a stop sign or non-functional light (I agree that this may be justified in some cases), paper/registration checks of USA plated cars
(DWG), and the now popular and mostly mythical not stopping for pedestrian(s) in the crosswalk are the most common charges currently. since none of
the traffic lights have worked since the last hurricane, entering an intersection when the light changes is a moot point.
any assistance you could give in solving the current problem would be most appreciated.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
|
|
|
rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by tfinbaja
I'm going to be driving North through CC next week (just passing through). What does everyone think about this strategy:
Drive slow (below 30 kph or whatever is posted), stop at every intersection that doesn't have a stop light (being careful about anyone behind me of
course), and only drive through solid green lights, not flashing.
Thoughts?
[Edited on 7-8-2010 by tfinbaja]
hasn't worked for many folks. but good luck on that. |
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
|
|
|
BajaOkie
Junior Nomad
Posts: 68
Registered: 3-4-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
I just went thru Cd. Constitucion yesterday morning (7/7/2010) at about five minutes after nine. I was coming from the south and had just stopped at
the first light as you enter town. I drive a 2007 Dodge with a Lance camper on the back. Since there was no one in front of me, I take a picture of
the gauntlet.
Suffice to say, by the time I got to the second light a Police vehicle (Truck #008) pulls to my driver side and tells me in English to pull over and
stop. I could not make the turn he did so I proceeded up the center road to the next light and the police pull along my other side (on the outer
road) and say to pull over at the next street. This I did and pulled in front of the large furniture/electronic store-they must have been closed
because there were no cars parked in the yellow marked street parking stalls.
An officer approaches my truck from the passenger side and says in english I have commited an infraction. I asked what it was and he said there was a
person in the intersection when I pulled through the first light (it was green at the time). I told him I know that there was no one there because I
had taken a picture. He did not believe me so I showed him the picture on the back of my digital camara. He smiled and said he needed my license.
So I go to grab my license which I had placed in a clear sheet protector on top of an old complaint form issued by the Sindicatura Municipal, I told
the officer I was going to fill out the form and then give him my license. And to fill out the form I needed to know his name since he was not
wearing a name tag. He then told me I had commited another infraction and I asked what and he said I had no license. I showed him the license
through the clear sheet protector and he said I had committed two infractions. I knew I had done nothing wrong, there was no one in the intersection
and I had my license so I asked him that we all go to the Police Station.
At this point he said the station is closed and would not be open until tomorrow. I said fine, I've got a camper on back and I'll just camp here. He
demands my license one more time and I reply lets all go to the police station. The other officer approaches my vehicle and says someting to the
first officer. When the first officer comes back to my truck I flip my clear sheet protector over and ask him how to pronouce the name of the
"Sub-director de Policia" Sr. Villalejos (I had written this down awhile back) and I was going to call him about when the Police Station would open.
I start to dial my cell phone, the officer steps back to his partner and I hear in english "Have a good day sir!" They climb back into there truck,
back through the intersection and then make a fast turn and speed off to the east. I pull away from the furniture/electronic store and I do not stop
for breakfast or stop to get some lights for my trailer at the NAPA store.
This was my forth time through the town since February on my way back to Mulege from Punto Conejo. This extorsion has to stop for the good of the
town, Cd. Constitucion. The pesos I would have spent were not much yesterday but when it comes time to buy appliances for my place in Mulege I will
not use the vendors in Cd. Constitucion, I do not need the hassle. I will drive the additional 125 miles to La Paz.
|
|
|
Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Tfinbaja
Thanks for posting, time for a summary of what we have learned so far:
1. Come to a complete stop at ALL intersections, look both ways to make sure no pedestrians in cross walks.
2. Drive slowly according to Skeet the speed limit is 30 kph= 18.64 mph.
3. If stopped stay calm, be polite and clear.
4. Firmly ask for name and badge number, write these down, do not surrender drivers license
5. Let Police know you are calling Sr. Villalejos, Sub-director de Policia, at 613-100-1910. Keep this number with you and make that call.
6. Insist that you go to the station NOW and deal with the fine there.
7. Since the police office is reportedly closed on Sunday, travel thru Ciudad Constitution on M-Sat.
8. Remain calm, confident and clear. Follow thru.
9. If you experience extortion by the police of Ciudad Constitution report the details to:
American Citizen Services
US Consulate General Tijuana
ACSTijuana@state.gov
I hope that things will improve in Ciudad Constitution as we exert our collective influence on the situation.
Many people are not going to go to Baja Sur because of this problem and will not do so until it is resolved. This of course costs this city thousands
of pesos per day in lost revenue.
Iflyfish
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
No gnukid ; It is me. I have just had my very smart and lovely Granddaughter visiting me. She helped me in a Number of ways. Made me realize that our
Schools are in worse shape than I had originally thought them to be!!We had some very good Discussions which show me that all those Twitter,Text,
Internuts, are Dummies for not looking around and having direct Contact with People. She will be a Leader some day!!
...
Same Ole Skeet! |
Gracias a dios, eres 'ol Skeeter?
Well, um, I uh, er, I couldna' agree more with what you/she says. Just yesterday I tweeted my next to last last tweet, which was, "location based
social web is a societal failure". It's think it's true that social web gives a false impression of social interaction stimulating the ego and the id
in a mirror-like cold sterile environ, while in fact tweets are facebook status updates, are quite simply a tool to break down social interaction and
aggregate social profiling to be used against you and the masses. Worse yet, location based updates provide an accurate predictive capacity to know
and predict your every movement, causing providers to brag they can predict your future location with 97% accuracy in order to market specific ads and
products to you or limit information. Social web is a tool of enslavement of the masses by their masters. I should know, I have worked in social web
db modeling and data gathering for far too long, until I quit in compete disgust. It's a wasteland.
In respect to extortion in CC or any Baja city, it's true that it's quite simple to address these or any issues head on-face to face, by anyone,
simply by speaking up for yourself, calmly, patiently and preferably with a bit of self effacing humor. And there are those, likely like you, who
would never encounter a problem, nor notice if they did.
But there are those who are completely programmed to be in fear, they believe the false State Dept warnings, the false war on terror which has caught
few if any terrorists yet grows exponentially to target everyone of us, they go into shock when they encounter a Mexican cop, who plays upon their
fear, "es muy grande infraccion, gringo". Those tourists need to wake up, but how do they become enlightened and empowered to stand up for themselves,
in order to pay attention, introduce themselves, gather details, and what does your daughter say about waking up these sleeping sheep to the failures
of schools, society and seek self-preservation for humanity?
|
|
|
Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
BajaOkie
Thank you very much for posting this very clear example of how to deal with the extortion by police in Ciudad Constitution. You have provided us with
an excellent model of how to deal with this. We are grateful to you.
I have a favor to ask of you or any other Nomad who knows please post a link to the:
Sindicatura Municipal Complaint form.
We should all carry a copy of this form as well as a copy of our driver's licence in our vehicle at all times.
Please send a copy of this excellent report to:
American Citizen Services
US Consulate General Tijuana
ACSTijuana@state.gov
The first round is on me Amigo de Nomads.
This is another excellent example of the power of Social Networking using the Internet and BajaNomads to support not only the people of Mexico but our
fellow Baja travelers. Salud to all those who are taking action NOW!
Iflyfish
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
..
9 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
