[QUOTE=One Wing Low]
So, were we just lucky?????[/QUOTE]
Yes. You were lucky!
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[QUOTE=One Wing Low]
So, were we just lucky?????[/QUOTE]
Yes. You were lucky!
[QUOTE=Ath Trainer]I just returned from my trip to California. I crossed the border 4 evenings to visit "some friends". Each night, I was dropped off at La Linea by my taxi. 3 of the nights there were cops standing in the dark by the stairs. Sunday night, no cops. 2 of the 3 cop nights I was stopped for a "routine check". When they asked for my id, I took out my license and my money, which were in the same pocket. I handed them my id, answered some questions, and then was frisked, while my $ stayed in my hand. They asked if I had bought any drugs, and when they found nothing, they sent me on my way. When I got to customs, I showed my id, stated I was a US citizen, and went through. It is interesting that it is tougher to get "to the border" than "through the border".[/QUOTE]
I always read these reports and wonder if there is any discernable pattern. I'm in my late forties, retired military short hair, frequently dressed in jeans, t-shirt and baseball cap. I am often told I have the "cop look" however.
I'm in TJ about 4 or 5 times a year for about 10 years now, and have never been stopped ewven once.
By the way, I was never so insulted in my life as during a recent trip to Jamaica. Five days there and not one single person triedto sell me any drugs. I mention this seemingly unrelated incident because I again wonder if I simply "smell" like a cop? (I'm not)
So, I went to Tj yesterday for the aftenoon, and walked back to the border. As I crossed that bridge over the arroyo, and walked down the stairs at App. 10PM, there were five uniformed Cops waiting there by one of the empty vendor stands.
They pulled me aside and had me put my hands on the stand, and went through my pockets to see if I had anything "illegal"...
I just smiled and went along with it, as they were taking whatever I had in my pockets and throwing it on the vendor stand. I picked up my passport, and sunglasses, and noticed that he'd not thrown my wallet down. I turned and looked him right in the eye as he was looking at my cash, as i wanted to SEE him take it, if that's what he was going to do. He saw that and just smiled and laughed at me, and I smiled back.
I didn't know at the time if he was smiling because I was looking at him in the eye, or if he was smiling because I only had $72.00 left in my wallet, as I had drank and screwed almost all of my cash away.
Either way, he didn't take any of the cash, and I walked away, smiling and thanking all of them and wishing them a good evening.
It always pays to be a gentleman, but I think the idea of having your cash in your hand is a great idea; I also think that from now on, I'm taking a cab back to the border to avoid that bridge, which is a bummer, because I like that walk, because it helps me sober up before the drive back to L.A.
Better yet, I may just start spending the night somewhere down there to avoid even leaving at night - this is the only time I've ever even been stopped or searched, since I usually leave early. They don't seem to be so active in the daytime.
[QUOTE=Country John]When you approach the sentry drop off point, have your money IN YOUR HAND so that if they search you, they will not find it in your POCKET.
Repeat the above 100 times.
The cops are C R O O K S and you are giving them the opportunity to rob you.
You can also MARK your money if you are interested in calling their supervisor. Using a pencil, put your initials on the bills you are taking in or bringing back. If they grab your cash and you go for the supervisor, you'll be able to prove they got your money.
If the cop sees that the bills are marked, he or she will probably not take them, smelling a rat.
You can also do nothing, or maybe just hand all your cash over as you leave Mexico to make things simple.
It's shameful behavior, cops robbing tourists but it happens all the time to those who do not have a mechanism for dealing with it.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Dylan]So, I went to Tj yesterday for the aftenoon, and walked back to the border. As I crossed that bridge over the arroyo, and walked down the stairs at App. 10PM, there were five uniformed Cops waiting there by one of the empty vendor stands.
They pulled me aside and had me put my hands on the stand, and went through my pockets to see if I had anything "illegal"...
I just smiled and went along with it, as they were taking whatever I had in my pockets and throwing it on the vendor stand. I picked up my passport, and sunglasses, and noticed that he'd not thrown my wallet down. I turned and looked him right in the eye as he was looking at my cash, as i wanted to SEE him take it, if that's what he was going to do. He saw that and just smiled and laughed at me, and I smiled back.
I didn't know at the time if he was smiling because I was looking at him in the eye, or if he was smiling because I only had $72.00 left in my wallet, as I had drank and screwed almost all of my cash away.
Either way, he didn't take any of the cash, and I walked away, smiling and thanking all of them and wishing them a good evening.
It always pays to be a gentleman, but I think the idea of having your cash in your hand is a great idea; I also think that from now on, I'm taking a cab back to the border to avoid that bridge, which is a bummer, because I like that walk, because it helps me sober up before the drive back to L.A.
Better yet, I may just start spending the night somewhere down there to avoid even leaving at night - this is the only time I've ever even been stopped or searched, since I usually leave early. They don't seem to be so active in the daytime.[/QUOTE]
Good post. You did everything right. If your money is in your wallet, then pull out your wallet and hold it in your hand until he askes for ID, then openit up. He might want to search it for contraband, but when you throw some eyeballs on him, it changes everything. Good stuff. Nice job.
Country John
For your response/post. Although I've not posted that much, I read this board a lot, and your many TJ-related posts over the years have helped my TJ excursions dramatically.
Dylan
[QUOTE=Country John]Good post. You did everything right. If your money is in your wallet, then pull out your wallet and hold it in your hand until he askes for ID, then openit up. He might want to search it for contraband, but when you throw some eyeballs on him, it changes everything. Good stuff. Nice job.
Country John[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Dylan]For your response/post. Although I've not posted that much, I read this board a lot, and your many TJ-related posts over the years have helped my TJ excursions dramatically.
Dylan[/QUOTE]
A good post comes after a good trip and your post will help others for sure. Being approached by the cops doesn't mean you did something wrong because in Mexico there is no "probable cause" requirement for the cops to detain you; just the smell of dough-nuts and money will do it. Keeping your head and behaving with the right balance of defense/offense will get you through OK.
Country John
In my way back to the border a cab driver told me crime is high right now, he said he's scare of working the night because of too many robberies to cab drivers , so avoid walking TJ alone at night, always watch your back!
This might come as no surprise to many TJ mongers, but it's a warning for the Zona newbies, be safe take a cab don't walk back to the border!
[QUOTE=HornyTraveler]In my way back to the border a cab driver told me crime is high right now, he said he's scare of working the night because of too many robberies to cab drivers , so avoid walking TJ alone at night, always watch your back!
This might come as no surprise to many TJ mongers, but it's a warning for the Zona newbies, be safe take a cab don't walk back to the border![/QUOTE]Did you go alone?, is it safe to go alone between 5 PM to 7 PM evenings?.
I am new and don't have anybody to go along .. so need your ideas.
Thanks
[QUOTE=Santij]Did you go alone?, is it safe to go alone between 5 PM to 7 PM evenings?.
I am new and don't have anybody to go along .. so need your ideas.
Thanks[/QUOTE]
If you know the layout and how to take care of yourself, then you'll be fine. Dress like a local. Don't look like you got money. If it's dark when you are ready to go back, take a cab. Try to get into a cab with someone else who might be returning. Find a wingman and go with him.
Business is real slow in the Zona. The cops are putting the big hurt on the rateros so they are being a bit more brazen because the rent comes due every night for some who live life a day at a time.
If you leave AB, wait for someone else who is taking a cab to the border and share the ride.
Be careful but not paranoid. Of the thousands of people who visit the Zona every week, the number of incidents is very very low. Don't be paranoid. Be focused; just like you should be in Yourtown, USA.
Country John
[QUOTE=Country John] Try to get into a cab with someone else who might be returning.
Country John[/QUOTE]
Hmmmm?? Now you got me thinking?
Why?
I always grab a cab by myself, are the cab drivers the ones robbing the zona tourists?
[QUOTE=Santij]Did you go alone?, is it safe to go alone between 5 PM to 7 PM evenings?.
Thanks[/QUOTE]
Yes it is, I go alone all the time but I'm also a large guy @ 6' tall 260lb, I still can
get jumped, but I think they rather pick on someone small or older guys like CJ :) but don't you worry like CJ stated just be careful, take a cab when dark, I still can't believe some guys here like to walk at night back to the border, that's suicidal!
[QUOTE=Country John]If you know the layout and how to take care of yourself, then you'll be fine. Dress like a local. Don't look like you got money. If it's dark when you are ready to go back, take a cab. Try to get into a cab with someone else who might be returning. Find a wingman and go with him.
Business is real slow in the Zona. The cops are putting the big hurt on the rateros so they are being a bit more brazen because the rent comes due every night for some who live life a day at a time.
If you leave AB, wait for someone else who is taking a cab to the border and share the ride.
Be careful but not paranoid. Of the thousands of people who visit the Zona every week, the number of incidents is very very low. Don't be paranoid. Be focused; just like you should be in Yourtown, USA.
Country John[/QUOTE]CJ, thanks a bunch
Went down last Tuesday. It was slow in La Zona but I hened up haveing a great time. At the drop off there were 2 of Tijuana'a finest to check us out. The asked for I. D. and went through our pockets. Fortunately we made sure to have a nominal amount of cash in our shirt pockets. They said they were looking for drugs and gave us a lecture about Viagra and other drugs being illegal. We had nothing so they found nothing.
What made this time different was that they went thru our pockets thouroughly. It wasn't just the pat dowm. I guess when they say they weren't going to be able to clip a few bucks out of our wallets, they tried for the drug angle.
Here’s what I meant to say without the typos.
Went down last Tuesday. It was slow in La Zona but I ended up having a great time. At the drop off there were 2 of Tijuana's finest to check us out. They asked for I. D. and went through our pockets. Fortunately we made sure to have a nominal amount of cash in our shirt pockets. They said they were looking for drugs and gave us a lecture about Viagra and other drugs being illegal. We had nothing, so they found nothing.
What made this time different was that they went thru our pockets thoroughly. It wasn't just the pat down. I guess when they saw they weren't going to be able to clip a few bucks out of our wallets, they tried for the drug angle.
[QUOTE=Surfnk9]Went down last Tuesday. It was slow in La Zona but I hened up haveing a great time. At the drop off there were 2 of Tijuana'a finest to check us out. The asked for I. D. and went through our pockets. Fortunately we made sure to have a nominal amount of cash in our shirt pockets. They said they were looking for drugs and gave us a lecture about Viagra and other drugs being illegal. We had nothing so they found nothing.
What made this time different was that they went thru our pockets thouroughly. It wasn't just the pat dowm. I guess when they say they weren't going to be able to clip a few bucks out of our wallets, they tried for the drug angle.[/QUOTE]
What time happened?
Why they said Viagra is illegal? No is not, TJ pharmacies sell viagra and Cialis all the time and they know it!
I think they meant without a doctor's prescription, is just BS, no one gets a freaking prescription in TJ, just another example of how corrupted and thieves
these cops are!