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advrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1849
Registered: 10-2-2015
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Mexicali shake down..
Our race team crossed on November 8th to head to San Felipe for the night, in route to La Paz. As soon as we crossed the border the local cops had a
choke point set up to funnel traffic down to one lane.
One guy picked me out and had me pull to the curb. He used his phone to translate that I needed to pay a $300 US dollar ticket for no front
plate. He proceeded to tell me that he knew we were in a hurry to get racing so I could just pay him. Several times he pulled out his handcuffs and
twirled them on his finger like he was going to cuff me.
I told him I'm retired and had all the time in the world and that we could go to the station anytime he was ready. He kept telling me the
station was a long was away. I got out and started cleaning out my passenger seat, he asked why I was doing that. I told him so he could ride with me
to the station. I then sat on the curb and waited. He gave in and sent me on my way.
This was my first shake down in twenty years of Baja travel. Looking back, I should have turned my phone to point at my window (it's in a holder
on the dash) and let him see me recording.
[Edited on 11-24-2023 by advrider]
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2106
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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'Tis the season for mordida. Beware travelers, tourists, racers, fishermen, foodies, beverage consumers, and all who dare cross before Christmas!
"When you catch a fish, you open the door of happiness."
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 509
Registered: 6-4-2012
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'Tis the season for dash cams. All year long.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64593
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Quote: Originally posted by advrider  | Our race team crossed on November 8th to head to San Felipe for the night, in route to La Paz. As soon as we crossed the border the local cops had a
choke point set up to funnel traffic down to one lane.
One guy picked me out and had me pull to the curb. He used his phone to translate that I needed to pay a $300 US dollar ticket for no front
plate. He proceeded to tell me that he knew we were in a hurry to get racing so I could just pay him. Several times he pulled out his handcuffs and
twirled them on his finger like he was going to cuff me.
I told him I'm retired and had all the time in the world and that we could go to the station anytime he was ready. He kept telling me the
station was a long was away. I got out and started cleaning out my passenger seat, he asked why I was doing that. I told him so he could ride with me
to the station. I then sat on the curb and waited. He gave in and sent me on my way.
This was my first shake down in twenty years of Baja travel. Looking back, I should have turned my phone to point at my window (it's in a holder
on the dash) and let him see me recording.
[Edited on 11-24-2023 by advrider] |
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advrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1849
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It's funny that you mention a camera. Another guy on the team brought one for me but I told him I would install it when we got to San Felipe! I feel
it would have been over sooner if I had turned on my phone and started recording.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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What's there to record? He either has front plates or he doesn't?
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17595
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by advrider | Our race team crossed on November 8th to head to San Felipe for the night, in route to La Paz. As soon as we crossed the border the local cops had a
choke point set up to funnel traffic down to one lane.
One guy picked me out and had me pull to the curb. He used his phone to translate that I needed to pay a $300 US dollar ticket for no front
plate. He proceeded to tell me that he knew we were in a hurry to get racing so I could just pay him. Several times he pulled out his handcuffs and
twirled them on his finger like he was going to cuff me.
I told him I'm retired and had all the time in the world and that we could go to the station anytime he was ready. He kept telling me the
station was a long was away. I got out and started cleaning out my passenger seat, he asked why I was doing that. I told him so he could ride with me
to the station. I then sat on the curb and waited. He gave in and sent me on my way.
This was my first shake down in twenty years of Baja travel. Looking back, I should have turned my phone to point at my window (it's in a holder
on the dash) and let him see me recording.
[Edited on 11-24-2023 by advrider] |
How do we know this was a shakedown? If you are from CA or 28 other USA staes, then your car was illegal if missing front plate. Not enough info in
this story to determine is your car was street legal.
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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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3480
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 |
How do we know this was a shakedown? If you are from CA or 28 other USA staes, then your car was illegal if missing front plate. Not enough info in
this story to determine is your car was street legal. |
Give it a break. ''choke point set up to funnel traffic down to one lane. One guy picked me out and had me pull to the curb.''
How many MX cars passed these cops with no plates front or back? That's the f'ing point. Gringoes are singled out with laws that only apply to
gringoes.
If you need more info, you don't know MX and Baja.
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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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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That's true. Mexican law breakage is ignored usually. Nobody even has plates here in Asuncion much less being up to date.
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surabi
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3651
Registered: 5-6-2016
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| Quote: Originally posted by Lee | Gringoes are singled out with laws that only apply to gringoes.
If you need more info, you don't know MX and Baja. |
This may be true in Baja, but it doesn't hold true for all of Mexico. I have lived north of Puerto Vallarta for over 20 years, have only been pulled
over 3 times, and in all those instances, I had, indeed, committed a traffic infraction. I was issued a ticket, no mordida.
I make the 1 hr. drive to PV at least once every 2 weeks, and could count on one hand the number of times in 20 years I have seen cars with gringo
plates pulled over, while I've seen hundreds of Mexicans pulled over by the transitos and police.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3480
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: Originally posted by surabi | | Quote: Originally posted by Lee | Gringoes are singled out with laws that only apply to gringoes.
If you need more info, you don't know MX and Baja. |
This may be true in Baja, but it doesn't hold true for all of Mexico. I have lived north of Puerto Vallarta for over 20 years, have only been pulled
over 3 times, and in all those instances, I had, indeed, committed a traffic infraction. I was issued a ticket, no mordida.
I make the 1 hr. drive to PV at least once every 2 weeks, and could count on one hand the number of times in 20 years I have seen cars with gringo
plates pulled over, while I've seen hundreds of Mexicans pulled over by the transitos and police. |
Nice. I have to think, maybe, Baja cops earn less, or, are more corrupt than PV cops. And I don't think all Baja cops are corrupt. There have
to be good ones around.
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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surabi
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3651
Registered: 5-6-2016
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I don't think cops are paid well anywhere in Mexico. But I do think the PV and area cops and transitos have been instructed not to single out
gringoes.
Never forget the time I saw a transito who had just taken the plates off and put a ticket on the windshield of a Mexican work truck that was illegally
parked in my town being yelled at by the truck owner. "I'm working here- I had to unload materials and tools! You expect me to park 2 blocks away and
carry everything? When am I supposed to go pay this ticket? I work every day the office is open!"
Transito says, in a small, cowed voice, "Maybe your wife can go pay it?"
"My wife works, too, cabron!"
[Edited on 11-30-2023 by surabi]
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17595
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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Many baja nomads have a persecution complex.
I have been stopped by popo once in 30+ years driving in Baja, and i was in the wrong.
I suspect the people protesting most loudly @bout baja cops are asian women drivers (Figuratively or literally) (all these supposed offroading drivers
claim to be experts, but they sure do get stopped frequently for crappy driving ). 
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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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2279
Registered: 4-23-2006
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One effective strategy I have employed is to avoid driving like an a-hole.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64593
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Over my 50 years of Baja driving, I have been stopped about 5 times, never getting a ticket or going to the station (which is a great avenue if you do
get a ticket).
1) Tijuana, late 70s or early 80s: Before sunrise on the ramp to the border fence road after entering Mexico. A m/c cop said I was speeding (I was
not). All the time I had a talk with him, not one other car passed us, it was that quiet. He must have been bored or was hungry for breakfast? Finally
sent me on my way, all good.
2) Ensenada, along the harborside Blvd. 1980s, m/c cop said I didn't use my turn signal when changing lanes! I put on a puzzled look, turned on my
turn signal, and walked to the back of my Subaru to show the cop my signal worked just fine, lol. I didn't need to wait long before he got a radio
call and let me go.
3) Ensenada, ~1983, towing my co-worker's dead VW with my Subaru all the way from San Felipe to get back across the border (using a tow strap). At an
intersection we were entering, a bus pulled in front of me and stopped, causing us to block traffic until the bus moved. Horns honking for the many
seconds and naturally, there was a police car there! With all smiles, I explained I was helping my friend get back home (we both were in our
twenties). The cop tells me tow straps were illegal. My first reaction was to say that I have seen so many tow cars that way. Obviously driving to the
station would be difficult plus my friend (who was younger) had never been to Mexico and was near panic about the police horror stories!
Well, I asked the friendly officer if he could pay the fine for us due to the towing difficulty. HE asked ME how much would this infraction cost in
the U.S.!! (I couldn't believe it) I said, I think maybe $20? [of course it would have been a lot more]
The smart officer agreed BUT added, saying $20 for my car AND $20 for my friend's!
My final request was for him to give us an escort out of Ensenada to the toll road so that we wouldn't be stopped by another police officer.
HE AGREED... and after several city intersection to the four-lane highway, the cop pulled over, happily waving at us a bon voyage!
Getting the police escort was worth the $20 we each paid and now a GREAT story can be forever told!
4) Tecate, 2002, along the border street before the crossing, was some detour onto city streets. A sign pointed where to make a turn and when we did,
a m/c cop pulled me over saying I made an illegal turn! I basically stood my ground and he finally went after easier prey.
5) 2017: Maybe a dozen miles before El Rosario in one of those big dips was a Federal Highway Patrol, holding a radar gun! I was going about 65 MPH,
wanting to get a nice room at Baja Cactus, I was bushed! The speed limit was 80 KPH or 50 MPH! I pulled over immediately in that dip, CAUGHT, no
denying it!
The officer walked across the highway, I smiled and agreed I was violating the speed limit. We began a friendly chat about things, my Tacoma, the
highway history, the radar gun. I asked him how it worked. He walked with me back across to his patrol car and let me hold the radar gun at
approaching cars so I could see the reading! What fun!! He told me to be more careful with my speed and let me go... Back at my truck, I offered him a
cold bottle of water from my ice chest. He came back across the highway to accept it... we were new friends!
The moral of these stories is attitude. It is hard for the police in Mexico to be mad or pushy if you greet them with smiles, admitting your faults,
and again, smile! VIVA BAJA!
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surabi
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3651
Registered: 5-6-2016
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A guy I know was driving back up to the US border, has several hours drive still ahead, but it was nighttime, he was sleepy, so pulled off the highway
down a country road alongside some farmers' fields, and laid down in the back of his van. Soon there was someone banging on the side of the van. A
young cop, asking what he was doing there. He explained he was heading to the border, but needed a couple hours sleep, or he'd be a danger on the
road. The cop said he couldn't park there. He asks why not- he's not disturbing anyone, there's no houses around, just fields. Cop keeps insisting he
can't park there.
Guy says, " Your mother's probably proud that you're a police officer- would she be proud to know you spend your time hassling someone who isn't doing
anything wrong, just needs to sleep for a couple hours?"
The cop turned around, got back in his cruiser and drove away.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9006
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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If I had a peso for every Mexican I see driving without a license plate, I would be a rich man.
But, The Goat would actually have to spend serious time in Mexico to realize this.
[Edited on 12-1-2023 by Hook]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64593
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by surabi | A guy I know was driving back up to the US border, has several hours drive still ahead, but it was nighttime, he was sleepy, so pulled off the highway
down a country road alongside some farmers' fields, and laid down in the back of his van. Soon there was someone banging on the side of the van. A
young cop, asking what he was doing there. He explained he was heading to the border, but needed a couple hours sleep, or he'd be a danger on the
road. The cop said he couldn't park there. He asks why not- he's not disturbing anyone, there's no houses around, just fields. Cop keeps insisting he
can't park there.
Guy says, " Your mother's probably proud that you're a police officer- would she be proud to know you spend your time hassling someone who isn't doing
anything wrong, just needs to sleep for a couple hours?"
The cop turned around, got back in his cruiser and drove away.
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I really thought this was a great joke... end with with the cop saying, "hombre, you tell her, the bedroom wall used to be where your van is parked!"
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advrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1849
Registered: 10-2-2015
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I kid you not, less than two miles after I was pulled over a car coming at me was missing the whole frontend! No hood, bumper or fenders, I had a good
laugh.
Still love Baja and have way more good interactions than bad. It seems that the military check points have become much more perfosinal then they
were in the past.
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2279
Registered: 4-23-2006
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The check points seem to be more relaxed in October, November. Lots of south bound semi-residents..... experienced in baja, not as soft of targets as
some other categories of motorist ......imo
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