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R22D22
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 12-9-2008
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la paz cops
We our just completing our fourth visit to La Paz and the cape region. In the past we have always enjoyed our time here but this trip was marred
when we encountered the notorious La Paz cop offense of "driving while gringo". With a sizable group of Mexican drivers I was proceeding through the
three way stop at the turn off to the university on the Cabo highway. I stopped just as they did but I was pulled over and the cop took my driving
license, refused to write me a ticket and extorted $30 from me to give me back my license . This also happened to seven of the 32 drivers from a
large caravan staying in this park. It was later arranged for a reporter to do a televised interview with the eight of us one at a time. As a result
an effort will be made to report and publicize to local residents and officialdom. these very common incidents
I was advised that if this happened again to first write down the name and number of the cop. Then hold the license so he can see it but don't let
him have it until the ticket is written. Any serious attempts at bribery and extortion can be reported by sending an email to
ivetcorralescanal8@gmail.com with a copy to bajasis@hotmail.com providing details of the incident
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Dave
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Yeah...pi$$ 'em off.
That's what I'd do. 
| Quote: | Originally posted by R22D22
I was advised that if this happened again to first write down the name and number of the cop. Then hold the license so he can see it but don't let
him have it until the ticket is written. |
So...You think withholding your license from a corrupt cop will work? What would prevent him from sticking a gun in your face and taking it...And then
all your money?
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baja Steve
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I was behind an American at the same intersection in January. He was stopped by an officer so I stopped behind the officer and watched. I could see
the driver was getting upset after a few minutes so I went up to the American and asked if I could help and he told me the same story as you have
posted. After talking to the officer and the driver I had the driver tell the officer to take his drivers license and we would go to the police
station which we did. The driver was very thankful and wanted to buy me lunch which he did then we went to the police station went through process and
got his license back and the ticket was $7.00, the total time at the police station was about 30 minutes. I started going to Baja in 1968 and spend a
lot of time there. If drivers would relax and follow the Mexican rules they would find out that it is not all that bad and you even meet new friends
at the station.
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Mulegena
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Intimidation Tactics
Corrupt Cops and their methods are scary. I know. I've been robbed, or let me rephrase that, I've allowed myself to be robbed by the bastards. I
hate that I folded and gave in so quickly, but he's a policeman, right?, and when I disputed his charges (speeding-- I was going 40 mph on the highway
into TJ) his aggression escalated dramatically. I rounded the corner as I approached the turnoff to the border in Tijuana and saw 6 other US-plated
cars being "rolled" by TJ cops on motorcycles... then I got mad. I vowed right then never to hand over my ID to a Mexican cop, never to pay him off
on the spot-- even if I were in the wrong-- and to insist, no demand, to go to the Station, period, end of story.
So far History has not repeated itself and I have not had to put my resolve to the test.
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Barry A.
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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I have "resisted" for some 50 + years their extortion tactics and NEVER, I repeat NEVER, have I had any serious problems-------and I NEVER have paid
ANY mordida-----NEVER------and I never will.
I rest my case.
Barry
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Paulclark
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Location: Castillo de Arena
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When I get stopped in La Paz, which was frequently before I had Mexican plates, I would be patient and follow the system, which is receive your ticket
and go and pay it at the police station. If I was in a hurry I would pay the mordida and get on my way. If I was angry about the system I would ask
for his ID and then when he asked me to pay the fine to him because the police station was closed I would tell him that I couldn't as that was a bribe
and we should go to the police station together so i could file a complaint and pay my ticket. At that point I have always been told that he would
let me go with a warning this time.
Everyone seems to forget that you are in a foreign country where traditions and culture are different--and you aren't going to change it. American's
are stopped because the bribe/extortion is larger than they would receive from a Mexican.
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Leo
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hey you guys, that are some real good samples (Steve and Paul) as to how to handle LAP cops or any for that matter. Play stuppid or go to the station,
but don't open your wallet.
As for Dave, you sound a bit paranoid. If it happens in town, it won't be so bad.
Happy traveling!
[Edited on 2-26-2009 by Leo]
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
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Dave
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Nah...
| Quote: | Originally posted by Leo
As for Dave, you sound a bit paranoid. |
I just understand the absurdity of lecturing someone who has a gun...in the process of a robbery.
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Dave
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Mordida?
A fair amount. Anytime I can pay 'under the river/table' to get something done cheaper than if I do it legal, I will. Didn't always feel that way but
I've changed. Besides, it's my choice.
But a police officer asking for a bribe ain't mordida. It's robbery. Only happened once...recently, late at night on a lonely stretch of road. I paid.
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Paulclark
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Location: Castillo de Arena
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I am usually asked for 200 pesos and negotiate down to 100.
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Dave
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Dude, I'm 58
| Quote: | Originally posted by soulpatch
A when in Paris kind of thing?
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Paris wouldn't even talk to me.
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vandenberg
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My wife, here in Loreto, got a simple parking ticket. Cop took her license and told her the fine was 200 pesos, to be paid the following day at the
station. Fine, at the station ended up being 273 pesos ( quite high even by US standards ) and it took them an eternity to locate her confiscated
license.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
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Location: Redding, Northern CA
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I don't give them my actual license-----I give them a photostatic copy-----period. Like I say, it has worked for me for about 55 years, and
counting. So far, the bottom line is that I have never actually been given the ticket that they are so threatening to do, and so far nobody has shot,
or beaten me.
We negotiate, and I win. How is that for arrogance?
I refuse to become "part of the problem"----it is as simple as that, and we usually part on good terms, tho they often just shake their head in
frustration, but hardly ever anger.
Barry
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Stickers
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Location: SoCal
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I have always used a local rental car when down in La Paz and maybe that's why I have not been noticed (pun intended) even with my crummy driving.
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gnukid
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We got a parking ticket recently in a spot clearly marked white not red, so we took photos and went to the station and spoke to the judge who said
photos are not acceptable but we stuck with it and got an investigation, the ticket was declined and the next day the spot was painted red. So it
seems that justice will prevail when you persist.
As far as those loco cops it seems they will never change without pressure, so don't be afraid, don't get upset, be patient and persist and never pay
on the spot but get their names, take pictures and go to the judge.
For Dave, you seem to forget that mexican cops do not have bullets let alone functioning guns. In general they are likely more afraid of you than you
are of them.
The approach I suggest is be polite, patient, maintain a good sense of humor and be personable and change the subject.
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Barry A.
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Right on Gnukid!!! You said what I have been trying to say, but much more eloquently.
Barry
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Dave
Elite Nomad
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Right
| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
For Dave, you seem to forget that mexican cops do not have bullets let alone functioning guns. |
You go right on thinking that. Better yet, why don't you put it to the test? See if you can get a Mexican cop to point a gun at you and pull the
trigger. It should be fun.
I know I'll enjoy it.
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luv2fish
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
For Dave, you seem to forget that mexican cops do not have bullets let alone functioning guns. |
You go right on thinking that. Better yet, why don't you put it to the test? See if you can get a Mexican cop to point a gun at you and pull the
trigger. It should be fun.
I know I'll enjoy it. |
Nonsense, Mexico's finest can be put up against any other Police org. in
the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRV2wAeWUcM
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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my favorite mordida story is from a young world traveller who drives a funky Volkswagen van...during an obvious shakedown...he politely told the cop
he was very hungry and proceeded to ever so slowly make a sandwich and offered to make the cop one...he got tired of waiting and moved on...no mordida
except out of his sandwich!
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luv2fish
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| Quote: | Originally posted by shari
my favorite mordida story is from a young world traveller who drives a funky Volkswagen van...during an obvious shakedown...he politely told the cop
he was very hungry and proceeded to ever so slowly make a sandwich and offered to make the cop one...he got tired of waiting and moved on...no mordida
except out of his sandwich! |
Sounds good, what kind of sandwich ?? Maybe he should of made a torta......
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