Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Lascivious]

Call yellow or another company and ask for an estimate. They can give you a pretty good idea of the faire.

[Mr Stein]

How much would it cost to catch a taxi upon depature from the TJ border onward to lets say to Mira mesa blvd area in San Deigo?


Any inputt would help greatly.

Tks guys.

[RenoGeorge]

Tomorrow I leave for Tijuana. I have been a long time observer of this board and of others. Going all the way back to Paranoia.com and Redsnake.com. I have been to Tijuana now 3 times and this will be my forth expedition. I have never had any problems with law enforcement down there in the past. But, by reading all the posts, it is starting to sound scary. When I return, I will give a good detailed report of my adventure. If anyone is planning on coming down, please feel free to private message me.

[One Wing Low]

Hi Jimmy, El, Baltimonger...

La Perla is my favorite restaurant also. It's nice and clean, the beer is only $1. I usually order the $7 Botana de Camarron y Pulpos, which is spicy seafood coctail, then the $5.00 Burrito de mariscos, which gives me 3 juicy burritos filled with shrimp, octopus, fish ... topped with salsa sauce and chesse, fresh, juicy and delicious. You should try their marlin taco. Marlin is tough and chewy, but perfect with a slice of melted cheese.

I had a major diarrhea eating at, not the diner, but the taco diner next to Chicago Club. I never came back. The taco stand at the corner has good tacos and delicious birria, which is a beef stew. Across the street is the ice cream store. Damn Mexican icecream is good. They have not heard of cholesterol.

I will be in TJ this weekend and hope to meet you guys. I prefer to meet in Chicago Club where it's quieter and has more room. Will PM you for date, time, place and signal to recognize and meet. Perhaps you veterans can show me around TJ. I had some of the best and funnest conversations with the bro mongers in TJ bars.

Life for us mongers is so good in TJ, I have a hard time justifying going anywhere else, well, except may be Buenos Aires with Captain Jackson. Argentinian chicas are probably some of the prettiest, sweetest, kindest and most honest people anywhere.

One

Hi One Wing,

The restaurant with the thatched roof is called “La Perla”. I have eaten there several times and I think the food is really good and I have never gotten sick. I have eaten in the little diner attached to Chicago Club and I had stomach problems both times. I will never eat there again. I don’t eat any of the food from the street vendors – I don’t have an iron stomach.

I think I will be heading down to Hong Kong on Wednesday and/or Thursday night so if you are around let me know.

Jimmy TJ

[El Juez]

La Perla is my favorite restaraunt in La Zona. Clean, good service and great fish tacos.

I never had any problems with policia for two and a half years of mongering until a couple of months ago when they ripped me off for $100 during my first and only stop and search by them at La Linea Sentri. After reading One Wing Low's story I guess I shouldn't complain. At least they didn't send the damned Army after me.

[Jimmy Tj]

Hi One Wing,

The restaurant with the thatched roof is called “La Perla”. I have eaten there several times and I think the food is really good and I have never gotten sick. I have eaten in the little diner attached to Chicago Club and I had stomach problems both times. I will never eat there again. I don’t eat any of the food from the street vendors – I don’t have an iron stomach.

My problems with the Policia seem to run in streaks. I can go two months without any problems and in one week I can be stopped four times. When I lived in Playas de Tijuana I would park my car at Levya Hotel and walk to the border to get to work. I would get stopped just as much at 7am as I would at 7pm.

When my girl used to work at Chicago Club I would sometimes drop her off at her house in Colonial Hildago and head for the border. It was 2:30am in the morning and I was in Taxi Libre and the Policia pulled us over. The Policia thought I just scored some drugs. The cab driver was a good guy and explained to the Policia I just dropped off my girlfriend and we were heading for the border. The Policia still searched me and the front passenger seat where I was sitting but as usual they find nothing. I always introduce myself to the Taxi Libre drivers and ask them their name. Make small talk with them because you never now when you will need them.

One night I was crossing the new pedestrian bridge that takes you over the highway to get back to the US (La Linea Sentri) and I was stopped by two Policia. I asked why are you stopping me and searching me. They guy said many Americans come down and buy drugs. I told him I don’t have any drugs and this is why I no longer live in Playas de Tijuana. They both walked away from me after searching me and finding nothing. I am thinking about renting an apartment in Zona Rio in a few months but not sure.

I think I will be heading down to Hong Kong on Wednesday and/or Thursday night so if you are around let me know.

Jimmy TJ

[Rush 2112]

On Friday I went to the nice seafood restaurant with the thatched roof at the corner of Coahuilla and Ninos Heroes. Haven't been there for months. The waitress came out and greeted me by my first name. I was surprised that she remembered.

Are you sure she called you "One" and not "Juan"???

Sorry, couldn't resist

[One Wing Low]

hi jimmy,

you sure are attracted to policia. i went to many places all over mexico and have never been hassled by the policia.

i was ticketed for running a stop sign in ensenada. i told the judge who sat inside the policia station (how convenient) to give me a break and he did. fine was $25 paid in cash to the judge. he probably pocketed and spent it on the chicas.

on the way back midway between ensenada and tj, i was stopped by the army guys, armed to their teeth, and the car was searched for drogas. by their sly smiles, i know they were looking for propinas. i acted firmly like i would never give them anything, and they let me go. every car was searched midway between esenada and tj. if you show any fear or weaknesses, the assholes will be burrowing in for some shit.

on friday i went to the nice seafood restaurant with the thatched roof at the corner of coahuilla and ninos heroes. haven't been there for months. the waitress came out and greeted me by my first name. i was surprised that she remembered. had some great seafood coctails between sessions with the fine chicas.

after a few hassles with the cabbie assholes, i have been driving over in my onw car. it's like a batmobile. i can outrun any car in mexico if i need to. i am tired of the walk back and forth, inhaling the dust and the [CodeWord109] along the way. if i have to wait in my car, i would be in comfort, listening to radio and music, not exposing myself to the muggers, banditos and bad policias. the round trip time to clear the border is about the same as walking and taking the sweaty cabs. on friday night, the long return line stretched back to near chicago club. but it only took 45 minutes to clear the border.

between fine food and fine chicas, it's good to be a monger in tj. life is good.

i have lived in san diego the past 16 months, rented a house in playas de tijuana for 6 months, dated a bar girl for 15 months and i visit zona norte anywhere from 1 to 4 times a week. i have been stopped by the policia 60 times over this time period just walking (i always go by myself). i have been stopped in my car 6 times all around revolution and calle coahuila. i have paid off the policia only twice in all my dealings with them once for $60 and another for $40 just because i did not feel like playing their games both times i was in my car.

specifically say no la linea sentri. i walk over the bridge and avoid the shake downs at la linea sentri. i have run into the policia on the bridge before and i was searched. i never have any drugs on me legal or illegal. i always play stupid with policia and force them to speak to me in english even though i know spanish. when walking across the border at night it is never more than a few minutes waiting in line.

jimmy tj

[One Wing Low]

Dial this number from the US and complain about the shakedowns and harassments by TJ cops, and robberies/rip offs by thugs. Don't let the assholes win this war.

If no improvement, call same number up again and claim you are screwing the wives of TJ's mayor and police chief in revenge.

[Jimmy Tj]

I have lived in San Diego the past 16 months, rented a house in Playas de Tijuana for 6 months, dated a bar girl for 15 months and I visit Zona Norte anywhere from 1 to 4 times a week. I have been stopped by the Policia 60 times over this time period just walking (I always go by myself). I have been stopped in my car 6 times all around Revolution and Calle Coahuila. I have paid off the Policia only twice in all my dealings with them once for $60 and another for $40 just because I did not feel like playing their games both times I was in my car.

When I go to Zona Norte I always walk it or take Taxi Libre. I prefer to leave my car at the white hotel to the left of the fast food restaurant at the border. Pay the $4 for 8 hours of parking (collect 10 tickets and you get a free 8 hours of parking). I have never had any problems leaving my car here. If the lot is full, I will park behind the fast food restaurant for $5 for 8 hours and never had a problem with my car.

When I cross the border and it is before about 8pm I will always walk to Zona Norte. This is not recommended for everyone to do but I have been doing this for awhile. If I am standing at the McDonalds I look down the plaza and if I do not see anyone walking towards the pedestrian bridge over the Tijuana river or my spidey senses tell me not to go then I will take Taxi Libre for $3. The only problems I have had in the past have been on the pedestrian bridge they may have Policia on either end. I have been stopped and searched many times by the Policia here and asked what or where I was going. I never tell them I am going to Zona Norte. I will tell them I have a date with my girlfriend in Las Plugas. Always walk with a purpose, do not talk to anyone on the way and get to Zona Norte ASAP especially at night during the day you can take a more leisurely stroll.

I never bring anything to TJ that I am not willing to lose so only pack the essentials. In my wallet I only have my driver license, $10 or $15 and my business cards ( If I like a girl I will give her my cell number or have her write her number and name on the card for me). I always bring a pen with me and gum. Sometimes I will bring my cell phone. I put all my money in zip lock bags and stash the money under the foot pads in my gym shoes. In summer I wear shorts, t-shirts and baseball hats and in winter jeans, sweatshirts and baseball hats. I try and fit into the population as much as possible even though I am 6 foot tall and very white.

Once I arrive at Zona Norte, I will never leave the area bounded by Chicago Club, the alley and Bar Tropical especially at night. If it is during the afternoon and still light out I will walk back to the border otherwise I will take Taxi Libre back to the border. At night Taxi Libre will usually charge you a flat $5 but I usually try and get them to the actual rate of $3. I always have them drop me off at the McDonalds or Caliente Sports book La Linea and I specifically say no La Linea Sentri. I walk over the bridge and avoid the shake downs at La Linea Sentri. I have run into the Policia on the bridge before and I was searched. I never have any drugs on me legal or illegal. I always play stupid with Policia and force them to speak to me in English even though I know Spanish. When walking across the border at night it is never more than a few minutes waiting in line.

Jimmy TJ

[Gilgamesh]

So I went to TJ again. I've gone many times and this time was horrible. I got across the border and found Eltorito was out of Absinth. I walked to get a beer at a place I liked and they were closed too. I started walking the SG and went into AB for a min. but I had no buzz so I went looking for another place(Taco Bell) On my way I saw a policeman searching a guy against the cop car. I was watching from the corner of my shades when he called me over. He started asking me questions and searched my pockets. He and the other policeman started speaking Spanish and finally let me go. They drove off quickly and I counted my cash. I was missing 40.00 and I was pissed. It was 1:30 pm, the middle of the day for crying out loud. I was happy that I still had the majority of my cash, but this had never happened to me before. I walk around there alone all the time and I feel safe because I'm decent sized. I have friends coming in two weeks and the plan was to cruise TJ. Now I'm unsure if it's a good idea. I was told by a local to get their name and plaque number and report them next time. Personally, I'd rather deal with it in another manner. However in another country I'm casturated and don't want an extended stay. Let this be a warning to all mongers. It's not safe in the day as I once believed. Be safe on many levels.

[Teraygon]

I hope you continue to inform everyone about threats in Tijuana, such as the robber-cops that lurk at the Sentri location near the border. Definitely, the Sentri gang of cops may rob you even if you have done nothing wrong, you are not intoxicated, and you behave respectfully. I know of a case like that. The victim was later told by the US Consulate that the police and other criminals will rob any easy target who seems to have money. Someone who speaks poor Spanish and walks alone late at night is an easy target. Still, the cops aren't always there, and they don't rob everyone that they search.

The 'stop-and-search' cops at the Sentri walk-across borderline have now been there for a very long time. They are always the same 4-5 guys.

No one has ever reported them and therefore they have become established and aggressive at that spot. They will now stop anyone, no matter what you look like (usually men who are alone).

Even though it is dark and scary-looking, I seriously doubt they would hurt or kidnap any normal person because that would stop their profitable 'business'.

Do not bring back Viagra or any other drug. Their searches will find nothing and most likely all your money will be given back unless you are drunk.

[TJnightwalker]

I wonder how you came up with the GREEN vs RED areas? By previous crimes? Witnessed, reported or documented?

All 4 choices. As a local and thinking in your safety, I thought this map could prevent a bad moment for you guys.

I must add a note: use the map as a night guide.

As dinghy wrote, even in daylight, better stay away from walking north from El Pollo or Chicago. Also avoid walking east from New York. The south part is safe enough.

I'll make a better and clear night map, also a day one.

[Dinghy]

About the Map - actually pretty accurate based on personal experience in TJ (but I stopped going once I discovered southeast Asia).

The main thing (for the ratings) is relative amount of light as well as accessibility (as in "hiding places") for the bandito. I generally stayed at Alaska just down the hill from calle primera on Revolucion - the "way out" was generally up the hill and turn right on primera but that right side of the calle isn't free from "baddies" either (even though coded "green"). I had girls tell me to avoid any road going north of Chicago because it wasn't safe AT ALL - too many "drogas" - so Pollo bar is the limit of night exploration north.

I'm no small person but even with my size I didn't feel all that safe in the yellow areas - watch your back and stop, back to a wall every now and then and see if there is any activity that is in your locality. I adopted the term "Crazy Ivan" from Red October for that move. Sometimes you just need to check the surroundings - but only where it is lit. Check your 6 and move on. The gringo frequented areas are relatively safe.

[One Wing Low]

Hi TJ Night Walker,

That's really helpful to every monger who frequent Zona Roja.

I wonder how you came up with the GREEN vs RED areas? By previous crimes? Witnessed, reported or documented?

I am attaching a map (with poor quality, sorry) where I try to let you know the sidewalks and streets to avoid, to be careful and the safe to walk.