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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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Police Shake Downs
Most who travel baja by automobile have either experienced or heard of cops who pull you over for a "supposed infraction" and are willing to settle
for some cash settlement to keep you going on your way. The newest twist that I am starting to hear about from several different locations is that
the police pull you over and then when you say you would like to go to the Judge or Justicia, they say fine but we have to impound your vehicle and if
you happen to be towing another vehicle or trailer, they are going to leave it there on the street until you return to claim it.
I think that using a camera to take the policeman's picture would be a big deterrent but what else could be done in this situation. If you had a
cell phone you could certainly call the emergency number or the police station of the town you were in. This is an interesting new ploy and I am not
sure that I really know how to combat this one. Maybe Ferna or some of the others up North can shed some light.
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nobaddays
Nomad
Posts: 183
Registered: 2-24-2007
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Road travel in Mexico is really getting creepy. Something must be done.
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3533
Registered: 8-27-2003
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1. I carry a copy of the "Tourist's Legal Rights" supplied by sindicatura. (http://www.tijuana.gob.mx/Turismo/TouristGuide/English/index...)
2. I point to the section where it says it is illegal for the police to ask for payment and illegal for me to pay.
3. I show him the section that has the addresses to the local police stations that have 24 hour judges.
4. I tell him I will now drive to the nearest station and he can follow me if he wants.
5. I put it in drive and pull out without waiting for his 'approval'.
Well, I haven't actually done this, but I've fantisized.
Here's where I'm heading to: if after a short discussion where I insist on a written citation and none is forthcoming - I want to hand him a paper
that says in Spanish and English that I do not want to be a part of illeagal activities and am now leaving the scene of an extortion attempt, and
going to the nearest judge, put it in drive and just go. I really don't think they will follow.
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islandmusicteach
Junior Nomad
Posts: 78
Registered: 4-30-2007
Location: catalina island
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Mood: almost in baja
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Santiago,
I think you have come up with a concise, practical and effective solution. I know others have had similar ideas, but you put it all together. Well
stated, hermano.
- Marko
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Cardon Man
Super Nomad
Posts: 1319
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Thetis Bank
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Mood: !Al Chingaso!
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Good stuff Santiago. I wonder if there is a Sindicatura for La Paz? I've had a number of run ins with mordida there in the last couple of years. I had
one streak going where I had been pulled over on 4 out of 5 visits and in 3 different vehicles! Each time we were in a vehicle towing a boat or in a
vehicle sporting lots of gear on the roof rack ( ie. looking like a tourista ). They correctly preyed on us knowing we were eager to get somewhere
and would not want to bother with returning to the station.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8964
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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The police told me that my vehicle would be left on the side of the road in Mexicali while I traveled with the police to the station. I had to catch
a plane in 48 hours, so money was paid and I was on my way. Sometimes, you just don't have the time to play games with the policia there.
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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With Santiago's info in hand, pull over to a well populated area and just say No. Then be ready to wait them out. Time is money and if it's obvious
that they won't get any from you they'll eventually move on to the next victim.
My two pesos and it has worked for us.
P<*)))><
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
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Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cardon Man
I wonder if there is a Sindicatura for La Paz? |
There is a Sindicatura for every city. The only fake and fraudalent one is the "aleged" Sindicatura that you send $25USD to and are in the US, those
are robing you blind.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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tjBill
Senior Nomad
Posts: 516
Registered: 10-6-2007
Location: Tijuana
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The one time I was pulled over, they gave the whole story about how my car would be towed etc., etc.
I just sat there and talked with them about crime rates in tijuana. After 5 minutes they drove off.
It seems being polite and waiting them out works.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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I get pulled over really often for nothing and each time I get really scared, I start to freak out and almost shake which is normal, I guess. Then I
pull together the courage to smile. I smile real big and shout go into friendly mode.
"Hola, Que Bueno Ver te, Que Milagro! Fue Mucho tiempo Que bueno que me recuerdes! Si todo bien amigo! Y la familia?, Tu Jefe?" Blah blah Talk it up
it works everytime, talk going fishing y vacations, then say, "muy bien amigo, tiene un buen dia adios."
There is nothing to strike fear in a mexican cop like the idea that you know them and that are a friend!
I paid once on the way to the airport.
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bancoduo
Banned
Posts: 1003
Registered: 10-3-2005
Location: el carcel publico mazatlan sin.
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| Quote: | | If after a short discussion where I insist on a written citation and none is forthcoming - I want to hand him a paper that says in Spanish and English
that I do not want to be a part of illeagal activities and am now leaving the scene of an extortion attempt, and going to the nearest judge, put it in
drive and just go. I really don't think they will follow. |
Why follow; I'll just shoot the "P-nche
GRINGO"
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Good idea, gnu.........
Dump the high end of a bi-polar attack on 'em and they wouldn't know what to do.
Reminds me of a story........Years ago in Capistrano Beach, my neighbor who was always really drunk, was pulled over by the sheriff as he was on his
way home. Driving while drunk wasn't as serious in those days as today but, while standing in front of the deputy he had to be held upright to keep
from tipping over. He'd had a lot to drink and at the moment he decided he must relieve himself from the explosive bladder pressure so he asked to be
excused to step into the bushes and, was refused.
The deputy and my neighbor stared at each other for a short time and the deputy looked down to see the front of neighbors pants dampen, then the legs
and finally into his shoes to overflowing.
The deputy calmly returned neighbors paperwork and told him there was no way he was getting into his police car, said adiós and told him to go home.
Well, he said he had to pee.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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Santiago, that is a great guide. I can not figure out how to get it in Spanish which would probably be a good thing in a pull over situation.
Also, I think that taking a picture of the offender is a good idea and would go a long way towards stopping everything at the begining. Also I wonder
if there is a similar guide for outside of Tijuana since at least one of these incidences happened in Tecate.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
I get pulled over really often for nothing... |
Nothing? I average far less than once a year. How to you
attract this?
--Larry |
I have no idea what they are doing or what the initial impulse is? I assume each cop will try to pull you over at least once in a while.
I drive the malecon usually at least once a day and normally go to the beach everyday and go out at night so I guess I travel a lot which would put me
in the line of many cops.
To be clear, in the US and Mexico I have no tickets, not even a parking ticket, no accidents and never been arrested.
Recently the excuses for pulling me over were:
They thought I was someone else stealing my car x2.
They asked me if I had seen any other cops around cause they were looking for their boss.
They asked me if I was mexican and therefore shouldn't be driving a us plated car.
They asked me if I had a drivers license.
Maybe they are just doing their job?
Have fun,
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Cardon Man
Super Nomad
Posts: 1319
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Thetis Bank
Member Is Offline
Mood: !Al Chingaso!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
I get pulled over really often for nothing... |
Nothing? I average far less than once a year. How to you
attract this?
--Larry |
The most common reason for being hassled by the Policia: DWW (driving while white. )
[Edited on 1-12-2008 by Cardon Man]
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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I know that I haven't been pulled over since I imported my vehicle. Same vehicle with US plates I was stopped several times for bogus "infractions".
When I had US plates I'd tell them I wasn't speeding/didn't run the light or stop sign & tell then I'm not a tourist, I LIVE here full-time &
have for 9 years. I'm not fluent, but I can make them understand my "Mordita es no legal"! I have told the officer just as soon as he tickets those
8 Mexican plated vehicles which are streaming past & went through the light after I did, then he can write me up! Having US plates is a bogus infraction magnet! Lencho, I can't remember if you have US or Mexican plates!
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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| Quote: |
The most common reason for being hassled by the Policia: DWW (driving while white. )
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My Ex will pull people over for DWHUA (Driving with Head Up A$$)
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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Mexray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1016
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: California Delta
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Mood: Baja Time
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Santiago's LINK in Spanish...
...go here:
http://www.tijuana.gob.mx/Turismo/TouristGuide/Espanol/index...
You could print both the English and Spanish versions for you travel files...Maybe highlight the 'mordita' sections...
[Edited on 1-13-2008 by Mexray]
According to my clock...anytime is \'BAJA TIME\' & as Jimmy Buffett says,
\"It doesn\'t use numbers or moving hands It always just says now...\"
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tjBill
Senior Nomad
Posts: 516
Registered: 10-6-2007
Location: Tijuana
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I think having a Sentri pass sicker on the your windshield helps; then the police know you're a Baja regular with a clean criminal record.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3881
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Play their game and deputize yourself - become one of them! Como se dice "undercover"?? My badge is bigger than your badge.
http://cgi.ebay.com/100-Mexican-Mexico-Baja-California-Tijua...
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