set up in tijuana!

[Acid]

I'm gringo, not a local. Althought I do maintain an apartment there, as I stated (you too apparently missed some details in my post) I live in S0-Cal and all my ID shows a US address. I did report them. How do you think I got all the information I posted about how to report corrupt cops?

Contrary to what you may think, cops in TJ do get fired for corruption. (Which, as I stated, is one of the reasons they won't risk taking you to jail if you haven't done anything wrong.) The September 15, 2005, El Mexicano carried an article about 4 inspectors who "resigned" during a corruption investigation.

You are right in saying I speak Spanish. You'd be right in adding that I know how things work in TJ. That, I admit, give some advaneforum.xxxes you apparently lack. But that is also why I'm trying to educate the mongering public about "the system" works in TJ.

Why do you think I'm defending the cops? I refuse to pay bribes, report corrupt cops, and teach others to do the same thing.

Believe what you want, they wouldn't have taken you to jail. As I say: Been there, done that, know better.

 

[i love bluberry muffins]

You are more to blame than I am for these corrupt cops.

As you said, it was pretty obvious they were waiting for me to pay them off. I stated that point when I wrote they drove around the same several blocks over and over. Doing that actually was a calming influence because it was obvious they wanted a bribe. No, it didn't "scare the piss out of me" for the reason I just gave. I was quite calm the whole time and knew exactly what was going on after they made their first lap in their car.

If it really did happen to you, you probably spoke spanish and told the cops you lived in TJ (which you did) or they deduced you were a local and had nothing to lose with your confronting them. Apparently you did nothing to report them afterward or you would be stating that in your post. Even if you did, all that would happen is someone filing a report since it is your word against theirs.

If there is anyone to blame for the cops doing it, it is people like you who defend them instead of going to the authorities after they cut you loose. You speak spanish and claim to know all the the things to get these guys off the street. I'll bet they are still mugging the tourists. I posted a complaint on this website as you have read. What have you done to deter people from these thugs in TJ other than giving false hope about what the TJ cops should do in your perfect world and telling people the TJ cops are good?

I have an open mind, but it is apparent you have decided that hard facts from us who have been through these situations and video news reports on TV are fictional. I have left nothing out of my story, and if you read my posts, you would know the facts. Yes I was scammed, mugged, hustled, extorted, or whatever word you would like to use. I said that from the start because it was obvious these cops were corrupt.

Let's recap. You believe that telling the two cops to take me to a judge while they have me in the back of their cop car talking to their HQ and while driving around in circles would have immediately alerted these guys to say to themselves, "oh, we should let this gringo go because it will be his word against ours." Maybe that would be true if they were too stupid.

Go ahead and get pissed mister, because there is no way in hell these guys would have let me go. As I said it was my word against theirs. I am not willing to risk spending a night and perhaps a day or more in a TJ jail to test out your theory. Sure maybe I would have been out after a day or so, or even until only the next morning. But who wants to go through that experience?

By the way, it was $100, not $150. If you had read my posts, you would know that.

 

[J.J.]

Your insight burt2020 is helpful but if you have grown up in some of the rougher parts of the good old USA as I have you would have a totally different outlook on what the police are capable of. I wouldn't try to make a stand against a cop in our country (been there, got my ass beat for that) let alone in Mexico. You seem to think they can't punch your teeth in just for your unsubmitting attitude? In the US in certain parts cops will beat your ass just for exercise or to practice all the defense tactic moves. You don't have a leg to stand on. You must be white or you would know what I mean. They can charge you with all sorts of shit. I have a few friend who are cops and they jokingly tell me they can always find a reason to detain someone should they see fit.

Your aguement has merit but don't act like you can hold your ground too the end and you will be vindicated. One day you will get your ass kicked and you will have a whole new perspective. Like Kenny used to say "You Got to Know When To Hold Em---Know When To Fold Em----Know When To Walk Away---Know When To Run!!! LOL Cali ZX

 

[Ziona]

Unless we live in Mexico (and most of us don't) and speak Spanish fluently (and most of us don't), there is a word of mouth, persistent, nagging message from many directions that it's much safer to bribe the first cop ASAP, because if we don't, it will be more difficult to pay off any/many additional cops later on. Burt2020, what you're saying does make a lot of sense, but, I guess, partly because we don't live in Mexico and partly because we don't speak Spanish, your plan appears riskier than the easier bribery. I guess, most of us don't want to end up in a 3rd world prison, and this is what the corrupt cops count on. If we followed your advice, we'd be risking our personal freedom, and the latter is way too important to us, so I wonder, if we're likely to risk it?

 

[Khan K]

No, I wasn’t there in the police car with you. (If I had been you'd be $150 richer today.) That doesn’t mean, however, that you’re the only person who has had that experience. I—and other gringos that I know who like me live in or frequently visit TJ—have been through the same thing. (And I’ll probably go through it again thanks to people like you.)

It doesn’t take hours to get to the police station. If you aren’t in jail within 15 minutes you’re not going to jail. It’s that simple.

The game the cops play is to drive you around while they do their very best to scare the piss out of you. In your case it worked. You gave them big money to let you go. And in the process encouraged them to do it again.

Had you said that you’d given them $20 to $40 because you didn’t want to waste your time playing games with the cops, then I’d have understood. But that isn’t what happened. They scare the piss out of you and gave them $150.00. Needlessly, in spite of what you think. (You’re the guy saying it can’t be done to the guy who has already done it.)

The sad thing is because people like you cave, the next time I’m in the same situation it will take a couple of hours before the cops realize I’m serious and cut me lose. (And that pisses me off--as you can tell.) It’s people like you that cause problems for people like me. Also, when somebody comes along and tell you that you were scammed you don't want to lose face--especially to yourself--by admitting that's what happened.

You asked what I am and my friends are doing about the problem. One of the things I'm trying to do educate people about how things really work in TJ. I also tell people how to report corrupt cops. (See my prior post.) Then I run into people like you and find it is hopeless. As long as people like you are willing to pay bribes to the cops--instead of standing up to them--the problem will continue. (I bet you haven't even bothered to make a phone call or file an Interent complaint. Am I right or wrong?)

I used to live in Alaska. Do know how many people have seen something on television or talked to a friend and think they know all about Alaska? Do you know how many people think Eskimos live in igloos? Or that there are six months and daylight and six months of darkness? None of these things are true, no matter what others (including the news media) may say or think. Sadly, you can't educate somebody with a closed mind.

No doubt you will go to your grave believing that if you hadn’t given the cops big money that you’d have ended up in jail. But that simply isn’t true. (Unless there is something you've left out of your story like you were really breaking the law.) Been there. Done that. Know better.

 

[tamilynn]

That explains your bias. So you have helped put away these corrupt cops?? These hundreds of guys you refer to have also helped put away these corrupt cops?? That would be the obvious thing, but then you weren't there that night with me in the cop car. You can keep your sarcasm to yourself. There are plenty of other stories besides what the US media has. Nevermind the camera fooeforum.xxxe. There are some of those stories on this website.

 

[Stephanie S]

OK have it your way. Especially since after listening to US news reports you know how things work in Tijuana.

Who am I to contradict the media? I only have an apartment in TJ, speak fluent Spanish, have local friends, a local girlfriend, spend 1-3 days per week there, and--as as a TJ Amigos moderator--speak with literally hundreds of guys about their TJ experiences. Yet you see me as "defending these clowns" when I try to tell you how things really work. (Talk about the power of the press!)

I'm telling you that guys (myself included) who refuse to pay bribes when they haven't broken the law get cut lose. (If you doubt me, I'll be happy to refer you to some TJ vets who will tell they've been cut lose when they stand up to the cops.)

Corrupt cops rely on fear and intimidation tactics. It works well with those who know little about how things really work in TJ. As you've demonstrated.

 

[Pompal 09.]

The cops were talking on the radio to their HQ. It was pretty obvious that they were all in on it. I don't know why you insist on defending these clowns. There is absolutely no reason to believe they would ever take me to anywhere in the presence of someone who was not corrupt, assuming there is someone south of the border in that category.

Sorry, but I have heard and seen more about the corrupt ones than about any who might not be. Even the local San Diego news a few years back had stories about the TJ cops who would drive around stolen US cars.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Within certain areas that are close to the boarder--including Tijuana--the cops are required to give you a ticket which you may pay by mail.

In the interior of Mexico they can take the plates off your car to insure you go to the police station and pay your fine. But not in Tijuana.

Don't be afraid to stand your ground and respectfully refuse to go to the police station over a traffic ticket. The cop will eventually either write you a ticket or more likely let you go. (Especially if it was a bogus stop.)

Bribing a cop is illegal. So it is safer to let him ask you for money. If you must offer a cop a bribe then say something like, "can I pay to fine to you so I don't have to go to court?"

 

[unwritten]

The reason the cops would let you go is what they are doing is illegal. And they don't want to get caught.

If they took you to jail they'd have to tell a superior why. Not all the cops are corrupt (actually it is a minority). The "reform" cops are most often in postions of leadership, what's why their reform cops. When word gets out, and it will, the corrupt cops will be in trouble. They know that, so they won't take you to jail.

They're counting on you not knowing how the system works. Which is why they are able to prey on "newbies" while vets do better.

 

[Edward]

Sounds like that cop was corrupt.

I believe you did the right thing. It is easy to be a back seat driver. Had you given the cop $20, your wife would've said, "CaliZX, You should have given him only $10."

 

[Msean]

Hey NeverMore,
you did the right thing. You know how I know? Because your ass is still here!

I was down there on Labor day and I almost made it out. I was cruising down the street just about to hit the I-5 back to San Diego when I got stopped by a motocycle cop in broad daylight. He comes up to my window (looking very daper I might add) and ask me where am I headed in spanish. I answer in English and he then ask me in spanish if this is my car? I again answer him in engish and he then says and I'll quote "My English is minimal so bare with me". Give me a break. This dudes engilsh was as good as mine minus the subtle ancent. He then tells me I was going 10klm over the limit and he could either write me a ticket and I could return to pay it in 30 days or I could follow him to the station and pay it now. I then said they take credit cards because I don't have a lot of cash on me right now? Also, I am afraid if I follow you back to the station I may get lost coming back to the freeway so If it is possible can I just give you the cash for my fine and you can pay it for me?

He got real happy and said with a huge smile "You want to do that"? I then answered "only if it is ok with you" and he then said ok well the fine is like $60 American but give me $40 and he'll take care of it. So I asked for my I.D. and took it back with my left hand and shook his hand with my right with two twenties palmed inside which he took. He then was cool and gave me directions to the Hwy and followed me to make sure I found my way (I guess ).

My wife who was rideing shot gun gave me shit and tells me "you panicked". You should have only given him $20. You believe that shit!

That cop took my bread and my wife (as usual) tried to take my man hood!

Anyway, I grew up in the states and have unfortunately experienced much abuse by our own cops so when I am in Mexico if they fuck with me I don't argue and try to give them what they want with a poker faced smile/shit eatin grin.

Cali ZX

 

[halifax666]

No offense to your experience, but from what you are saying, I should have called their bluff. All I did was walk alone up the hill from Adelitas. The TJ cops had me up against the wall spread eagle and went through every pocket, shoes and my wallet to see what I had on me. They then put me in the back of their cop car and proceeded to drive around the same several blocks while talking to someone on the radio.

Since these cops were as crooked as they were, why would I expect them to take me to a judge if I called their bluff? Frankly I expected them to throw me in their jail until I gave them money to let me go. You state they would have let me go, but since they were corrupt, why would they?

 

[amanda g]

The last time I was in TJ, 10-15 cops were gathering around a brand new Camaro with Calif. plates that was parked illegally. The cops just kept hanging around the car, openly. They were on a high moral ground. It looked like their idea was not to put a ticket onto the windshield, but wait all night, for the driver to show up. And, it also looked like the driver's idea was different; he wanted to delay and postpone, wait all night if he had to, and wait for the cops to give up their position next to the car. Other than that minor parking violation, and show of force, I've never even seen the cops in TJ. They were nowhere alongside the major streets where I walked back and forth.

In TJ, the last time I was there, I even got some prescription medication for myself, (well, I had with me a script from an American MD, just in case), but the Mexican pharmacist didn't ask for any prescription, and wasn't interested in a script by an American physician. At any rate, I didn't think it was illegal, and still didn't think that buying pharmaceuticals in TJ is a no-no under Mexican law, but hey, I'm not a lawyer and I do not specialize in Mexican law!

Busting an American in a bar in TJ, no sir, that has never happened to me, or anyone else I have personally known! Maybe that was an unusual sign from above. Maybe that was a message! Because, if we think about it, TJ is a pretty questionable, kind of dirty little place where most of us are not very proud to go!

The only legit reason of going to TJ seems to be getting a haircut! Even if you go to the nicest, fanciest, most expensive barber shop in TJ, they charge less, and the cops won't ever bust you there!

 

[nikki_lav_2288]

I'm very active on a board dedicated to mongering in TJ and go to Tijuana on a weekly basis. While problems with TJ cops aren't unknown, they are actually rare. Especially being driven around in a cop car. Normally the cops wait to catch you actually breaking the law--driving drunk, public intoxication, running a stop sign, buying medications without an Rx, etc.--before they stop you.

My advice (based on my own experience and that of other TJ vets) is that if you haven't done anything wrong you should stand your ground--respectfully, of course--and demand to go before a judge. Unlike the US, judges are on-duty 24 hours a day. At this point the cops will let you go.

Here is some information for reporting such indicents, including reporting corrupt cops via the Internet:

Phone Numbers & Web Sites

Police Extortion Complaints:
http://www.sindicatura.gob.mx

The Baja California Secretary of Tourism also publishes a safety guide at
www.discover bajacalifornia.com.

For U.S. State Department advisories, go to
http://travel .state.gov/mexico

Tijuana Phone Numbers
Emergencies: 066
Tourist Assistance Hotline: 078 in Tijanua
U.S. Consulate: 622-7400
Baja California State District Attorney's Office: 638-5206, 638-9184
Baja California State Visitor Assistance Office: 973-0424
Tijuana Office of Internal Affairs, Complaint Department: 688-2810
To call the these from the US, dial 011-52-664 and the seven-digit Tijuana number.

[There is a police station at 8th and Constituciَn in downtown TJ. The is a sub-station on Consitucion in the Zona Norte.]

 

[tennis97girl]

You don't have to do something stupid to get mugged by the TJ cops, unless walking by yourself qualifies as something stupid. But walking between Adelitas and Chicago Club should not be a problem. The cops only prey on you like the other criminals do--they mug you when there aren't many witnesses. So mongering by yourself is alright as long as you travel with the crowds or take taxis to/from the Zona.

 

[LHOOQ]

It shouldn't be a problem to monger in T.J. I wouldn't worry too much about the polica. They are there. yes out there in force but not as corrupt as they were before. You should have no problems walking from adelitas to Chicago club. This area has high security between the two clubs. If you go from adelitas going east and making a right turn on constituation be careful as they have had alot of muggings in this 150 yard walk to calle cohuila. Calle Cohulia is where most of the sw are and alot of mongering clubs.Unless you do something stupid like carry drugs or piss on the street you'll be fine. My first visit to T.J I just drove in and didn't know how to get back to the U.S and I didn't even know about the Zona Norte. Boy have I learned.

 

[Emily M]

WoW How Do Gringo Guys Like Us Stay away from this trouble? This stuff never happened to Me in Mexico City. Is this the worst city in Mexico where this stuff happens? What If I exist Adelitas quickly for a Cab>>> Will Cops intercept me? But then Again What If I want to walk too the Chicago Club after this? Damn This Mongering by yourself seems dangerous. I will Probably Be with a bunch of friends for one night in TJ in December then they go back home. I will just go Monger by mysef down in to Ensenada and La Paz,Cabo San Lucas and continue on To Mazatlan by ferry. I guess Never Monger alone in Tj that is Bad Luck. Right or Wrong?

 

[formerly_bob]

Sounds like the same cops who rolled me last year. I posted my story at http://www.worldsexguide.com/forum/showpost.php?p=77092&postcount=18.
I was not drunk in the slightest. I had a beer several hours earlier, but they were all over me long before they got close enough to smell any alcohol. You could be stone cold sober and it would not matter. The TJ cops are no better than any other predatory criminals. They used their radio, so whoever was at their HQ was in on it too.

 

[ariellee.]

If I were you, I would feel the same. You experienced a loss of power, mixed with a lot of fear and corruption. I can't blame you if you don't go back.

On one hand, loosing $200.00 is way too much for one short night.

OTOH, corruption seems to be better ON THE LONG RUN, because they released you pretty much right away. Additionally, they didn't book you and didn't hold you overnight, and then didn't bug you for court appearances for up to five years. Compare that to any confrontations you may have had with the law in So.Cal.

"Don't go alone... go with a group" is probably good advice, although it is tempting to go alone.

"Make an effort to look like them... I mean, when in Rome, do what the Romans do" is another good advice. In my experience, whenever I go across the border and travel to Tijuana, it looks pretty obvious to me who is from where. I do notice how different we look. Have you noticed, stereotype Mexicans never ever wear shorts, white sport socks, white-white sneakers and/or flip-flops, not even in July; they speak Spanish, not English; when they speak they speak in a low tone; when they pay, you never see them pull out a bundle of cash. Perhaps, if you ever go back, you could FIRST drive around in Hispanic neighborhoods, get an idea of how you should look like -- you want look like a stereotype Mexican -- and then go and enjoy TJ pussy, and you will have a far more pleasant experience.

I figure, the Mexican cops must have had an informer at the Bar at the Adelita who reported to the cops that a guy, obviously an American, was having drinks at the Adelita and the guy (i.e. YOU) looked like he was a good target for a set up.