The tactics we mention today are a blend of advice from Mexicans and expats living in Mexico, and we think after reading this post youll be ready to handle any twisted cop that comes your way in Mexico or the rest of Latin America. Afterward, they drove the man to the border and dropped him off. You want to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. Dont forget your Mexican auto insurance! Especially in a foreign country. You may not have any choice in the matter. These officers are stationed in these areas to deter violent crime and to keep tourists safe. If someone approaches you offering to sell you drugs, simply say no thanks and walk away. You can greatly reduce your risk of encountering a corrupt officer by taking a taxi, colectivo, or Uber everywhere you go instead of walking. We avoid gringo tourist areas, but we have been to all of them. If you enjoyed the story about our run-in with the Mexico City police, be sure to check out the video that we linked at the top of this post and subscribe to our Youtube channel. In a New York Times article published last Tuesday by Steve Fisher and Maria Abi-Habib titled "Mexico City Declared Police Abuse Over. While youre driving, find a hidden place in your car to stash some cash. This is Tijuanas most famous tourist street. They may decide to double down and take their anger out on you. Take a taxi or Uber instead of walking. Dont even talk to dealers or you risk making yourself a target for corrupt police. Of course, in the U.S. we would then be issued a ticket that requires us to pay a fine or appear in court at a later date. Tijuana police corruption has been a serious problem for decades. Giving them money for a bribe is both unnecessary and illegal. At the same time, its important to remember that the police officer has all of the power in this situation. We pled with him, told him we didnt carry that kind of money, offered him everything in our wallet, beggedyou get the idea. If the officer refuses to give you a written citation or take you to the police station and you refuse to pay a bribe, you may be able to call for help. Before diving into tactics for dealing with corrupt police, it is important that you understand how the Mexican police system is structured. I have drunk the tap water a couple of times but I don't think it's a good idea. What you say to the police is always important. No way will I ever venture there again. Your email address will not be published. In some cases, they may handcuff you and put you in the police car. It makes you feel weak and helpless. . You dont want to give a corrupt officer any reason to pull you over. Your email address will not be published. Looking back, we now see that this is the reason why we were forced to pay so much. With basic Spanish, youll be able to communicate with the officer that you want a written citation. Wait in the bar until your ride pulls up. I said I didnt know where the station was, so I would follow him. If it's a scam the officer is forwarned I'm going to call the Sindicatura office, and don't have to say a word. The rules of the road are a bit different in Tijuana than they are back home. Independencia 1350 Zona Urbana Rio, Tijuana 2232. Some wont take no for an answer. This is a lie. Never wear fancy jewelry or flashy clothes. Those RVing south of the border should be aware that traffic stops in Mexico are significantly different than in the United States. Sounds like he handled the situation perfectly. If a corrupt Tijuana police officer insists that you pay a bribe and wont let you go, there are a number of ways to deal with the situation. You can keep your passport, credit cards, and cash safely hidden out of sight. There are two benefits to paying a Tijuana traffic ticket by card. At the time, that was about $225USD. If you look tipsy, you become a potential target for a bribe. This can distract the officer. These fake cops tend to target tourists. The abusive behavior of Mexico's police forces is the result of multiple factors, . Its not worth it. Most of the time, the officer will not want to go, as he or she will have to spend hours with you in the station and get nothing out of it while he or she could be out and about exploiting other drivers. After you pay a bribe, the corrupt office may call their corrupt friend and tell them that you pay bribes. But traffic stops in Mexico, where you dont know what to expect and you may or may not speak the language, can be even more so. Humans suck. Part of the reason is that the pay for Tijuana police officers is very low. An officer could also stop you while walking around intoxicated. Most commonly, a drug dealer or con man may have an agreement with a corrupt police officer. Been to Mexico a number of times. While talking to the officer, be patient. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links, including links from the Amazon Serivices LLC Associates Program. He got out of his car, came back to mine and simply said, Go home.. Mexico's "war on drugs" began in late 2006 when the president at the time, Felipe Caldern, ordered thousands of troops onto the streets in response to an . Even though crime rates are still high and the city is still a bit dangerous, its well worth a visit if youre in the region. Then, turn off your car and remove the keys from the ignition. He nervously told me to lead the way and he would follow me. Always to be forewarned is to be forearmed as they say. Probably the best way to avoid getting pulled over is to drive a vehicle with Baja California license plates. If you end up having to pay a bribe, you can just pull out your wallet and pay from there. Dont carry all of your money in one pocket or your wallet. Avoid drawing any attention to yourself. Still have lots of Mexican friends there. Tourists often pay the bribe to get the whole ordeal over with. When you call, make sure you have some information about the officer such as their name, badge number, or the license plate or identification number of the car they were driving. If youre naturally hot-headed, youll want to watch your temper and be careful while visiting Tijuana. A taxi or Uber being driven by a local is unlikely to get pulled over. Some people prefer to pay and get it over with while others avoid paying bribes at all costs. Alternatively, they could issue you a written citation instead. Write down everything you remember ASAP. In this case, negotiate the best you can and pay. To avoid encountering fake police at the border, consider walking across instead of driving. Fines can only be paid at the station, and if you insist to the officer that you know the law and that youd like to handle it officially in the office, nine times out of ten a corrupt cop will just give you a warning and drive away. The following tips will help you avoid getting stopped while walking around. But see if some folks need a ride back before you leave. Keep in mind that if the officer asks you to pull over, by law you must . You dont want to stand out or give the officer any reason to stop you and hassle you. You could also email your complaint to the tourist assistance email at. 0D44414 Adventure Mexican Insurance Services, Inc Always be respectful. In this case, they may demand that you pay $300-$500. An officer could stop you and search you at any moment. Many tourists feel intimidated by the Tijuana police, which is understandable. Traveling in a group can also help. After all, it is the 5th largest city in all of Mexico. For example, you may want to reduce the withdrawal limit from $1000 to $200. Even though he may offer to help you out and only charge a spot fine, you should kindly insist on going to the station to receive your official citation. June 23, 2010, 2:22 PM. When this happens, the officer may accuse you of carrying illegal substances and insist on searching you. campgrounds for sale lake of the ozarks; william heirens childhood; what happens to water when heated prediction 1; Especially in Zona Norte and Zona Centro. Sorry youre going to miss our gym. Also, be sure to follow us on Instagram @the.present.perspective. A local may be able to tell the difference between a real and fake cop. She took the offer and I got my phone back. Play Dumb. Instead, leave them at home or lock them up in your hotel room safe. A corrupt officer may refuse to use the credit card machine. I also wrote a whole article about water in Mexico. Keep an eye on the officers searching your vehicle or RV to the best of your ability. Some travelers have a different philosophy and prefer to nod or say hello to police as they walk by. If youre paying in person, the most convenient option is to pay at Tijuanas City hall. Telling falsehoods will only compound your problem. The city already has a poor reputation when it comes to crime and safety. This is another form of corruption that you could encounter. They take you to the police who are magically able to recover your belonging. Local police officers (that is, not the state or federal police) are highly unlikely to speak English. Choose a direct route through busy areas. They could also refuse to give you back your passport, drivers license, or car registration. In rare cases, an officer could get physical. This type of thing isnt common but it could happen if you were to lose your temper. 2022 Discover Baja Travel Club - All rights reserved. -If you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation, you should request a written citation from the officer. The 513 individuals were being transported in inhumane conditions in the trailers of two trucks, according to the authorities. Especially during the day when there are lots of tourists entering and leaving. We just crossed into Mexico in our RVand it was easy! They will take what they think is reasonable (usually most, but not all, of your cash). The tales usually filter onto the ex-pat community boards on Facebook. $100 . There is one more type of law enforcement challenge you might face in Mexico that does not happen nearly as often but is far more sinister. Corrupt officers go to these areas to find an easy target to solicit a bribe from. You may also encounter military checkpoints from time to time while driving in Mexico. Most of the stuff mentioned in the article happened to me in one traffic stop in Greybull, Wyoming in the early 1970s. They have the right to look at your passport. Desa Teguhan. Multiple murders, assaults, robberies. All of this adds to the stress. We have been stopped many times by local cops, state police, and military. How Much do Traffic Tickets Cost in Tijuana? It features locking zippers and slash-proof mesh to prevent theft. For example, in May of 2020, an unruly man died after a police officer put his foot on the mans neck in order to detain him. Step 1: General Guidance for Dealing With the Police. A woman who claimed she was a teacher, driving a white Mercedes-Benz, got stopped by a Latino Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Deputy for using her cell phone while she was driving, then launched into a tirade in which she repeatedly accused him of being a "murderer," then concluded, "Mexican racist. The best way to avoid getting pulled over in Tijuana is to obey all traffic laws while youre driving. Oftentimes, the officer will tell you that the crime you committed is very serious. Youre going to have to pay me 4,800 pesos or else I will have to tow your car.. We got up bright and early to make the drive to Mexico City, as we needed to catch a flight to El Paso, Texas to figure out a student visa issue. Bribery is part of the culture. If youre able to stall long enough, the officer may become bored or annoyed with you and let you go. In some cases, they tell you to follow them to the police station, where you can pay the fine in person. They could push you up against a wall or their police car and pat you down and search you or your vehicle. Whether or not calling to report the officer or threatening to is an appropriate response really depends on the circumstances and how the officer is behaving. Enjoy it if you go, I wont be in your way. Oftentimes, they will demand that you hand over your wallet and take what they want. Sister City Signing Ceremony (September 5, 2016) Government. A visit to Tijuana makes for an excellent day or weekend trip from Southern California. That you have the right to a written record of the search. Here is another similar form I found. Even though people drive a bit differently in Mexico, the driving laws are basically the same as in the U.S. Cops very nice. Paying with your credit card or debit card is optional. They could put you in handcuffs and make you sit in the back of their police car. Lesson learned. 1. Instead, they may tell you that the machine is broken and that you can pay in cash. While everyone should treat the police with respect, you do not have to answer every question. For example, check out this article. They know that tourists are more likely to be carrying large amounts of cash.