Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Hargow20]

It is fairly common for locals to get shaken down. My regular Liz recently bought a used car. The car had a smashed steering column. This is a red flag for a cop. I am fairly certain the car stolen. People drive stolen cars from the US all the time there. Even the police drive stolen cars as well sometimes. The police impounded her car.

The girlfriend even got pulled over Thursday night around 4 am and they demanded 10 k peso for each officer since she made an illegal turn. She has a car with TJ plates and TJ license. She gave them 1,500 peso since she didn't have anything else. She flew out of the airport today and had some THC gummies in her carry on that they found in the search. They said she would have to go to the main legal office to settle the ticket and she would miss the flight, but she offered money and they took $140 since that is all she had on her. It is Christmas time so have a little heart right? It's for the kids right?

Also they wanted to keep her iPad and iPhone since she didn't have a receipt for them and not sure why, but probably to add more pressure to milk as much money out of her as they could. I can't blame them since their jobs probably pay very little. She now officially hates Mexico where she has lived her whole life, but I'm definitely taking the bait on that one just yet. Also she said they took the money out of sight of any cameras. I told her it is better than getting a record and possibly being flagged every time you fly.

[Hargow20]

Seems like the police have not been shaking down people as much in the Zona this past year. Before the cops would hang out on the west end of the alley waiting to shake down guys that were walking by. I the police are now focusing on shaking down US drivers. My guess is that pulling a over a American is less obvious especially at night. When you do get stopped you should always pull your money out of your wallet cell phone and hold them in your hands. The police will object. But this will help stop them from stealing from you.

[Member #4730]

The girlfriend even got pulled over Thursday night around 4 am and they demanded 10 k peso for each officer since she made an illegal turn. She has a car with TJ plates and TJ license. She gave them 1,500 peso since she didn't have anything else. She flew out of the airport today and had some THC gummies in her carry on that they found in the search. They said she would have to go to the main legal office to settle the ticket and she would miss the flight, but she offered money and they took $140 since that is all she had on her. It is Christmas time so have a little heart right? It's for the kids right?

Also they wanted to keep her iPad and iPhone since she didn't have a receipt for them and not sure why, but probably to add more pressure to milk as much money out of her as they could. I can't blame them since their jobs probably pay very little. She now officially hates Mexico where she has lived her whole life, but I'm definitely taking the bait on that one just yet. Also she said they took the money out of sight of any cameras. I told her it is better than getting a record and possibly being flagged every time you fly.

In the U.S. I hired an attorney for a speeding ticket that got reduced to a non moving violation and it still cost $400-$500 for ticket and attorney. I was doing 75 in a 45, but the officer only gave me a 54 in a 45 since Im a vet. I can only imagine what would happen in a U.S. airport if you brought something illegal in your luggage. I love that you are able to just pay off the officials and go about your day instead of getting a record and waiting for the court date.

[Captain Solo]

KoolBeam,

Last few weeks while I was away in South America, a wingman drove down to La Zona Norte in his car, got pulled over on Coahuila near Madero before he got to the bars.

He asked policias what he was pulled over for. Policias said, your windows were tinted too dark. His windows were indeed tinted too dark to me and for California vehicles codes. You cannot see who and how many people are inside his car. Policias asked him what he was doing in Tijuana, if he had any drugs ect primarily to intimidate him, then they had him put his hand on the hood, started to pat him down and search his pockets. This guys has been going to Tijuana with me in my car a hundred times but is not too smart. Policias searched his wallet behind his back. When he got it back all his few hundred dollar cash was gone. No tinted window ticket was written. Polcias were so happy with the loot they drove away quickly. He was so shaken and had no cash left, so just turned around and waited for hours in the Ready lane to drive back to the US.

When stopped by policias the bros should not be afraid. They are just dicking with you trying to shake you down for some cash. Worst case they can only write you s bullshit ticket. Stop the car at major intersections where there may be security cameras and other people nearby. Tell them you speak no Spanish and want them to call in their sergeants. Try to call Tourist or Transito policia number for assistance. But before driving in, hide all your cash and leave only a few small bills in your wallets. Hold all your cash, wallets, valuables in your hands while they search. They will steal if they can but will very unlikely rob what you hold in your hands. If they see difficulties stealing from you they would let you go and prey on the next weak, easy targets.

Don't let stupid assholes bully you.

[Member #4730]

Just heard 4 San Diego guys drove into Tijuana last week loaded with money for a little fun with the chicas.

Policias pulled them over before they got near the red light district, all were searched. One guys had $420 in his wallet; policias took $380, left him $40, for a few beers perhaps. The other 3 guys all lost a couple hundred each.

I drove back at mid night, saw no policia around La Zona Norte, only 1 patrol car dicking around with another driver near the old McDonalds rotary. Good luck and be safe for the coming holidays.

Probably best to drive down and not into Zona Norte or around Revolucion. I would take an Uber into those areas. I haven't had any issues outside of those areas and probably due to holidays. Also if they want to write you a ticket, then goto the main office and pay the ticket if you can. I had tinted windows and the policia said I was speeding, but it was only the tinted window violation at the main office which is a 2000 peso or $100 ticket. The speeding claim suddenly disappeared when the ticket was written at the main office.

[Dogers69]

Just heard 4 San Diego guys drove into Tijuana last week loaded with money for a little fun with the chicas.

Policias pulled them over before they got near the red light district, all were searched. One guys had $420 in his wallet; policias took $380, left him $40, for a few beers perhaps. The other 3 guys all lost a couple hundred each.

I drove back at mid night, saw no policia around La Zona Norte, only 1 patrol car dicking around with another driver near the old McDonalds rotary. Good luck and be safe for the coming holidays.

Dam that's rough. Looks like they made a few mistakes. Not hiding the money. And driving. I take the 50 cent bus. Cops don't steal from me because I look poor and they never see all my money.

[Captain Solo]

Just heard 4 San Diego guys drove into Tijuana last week loaded with money for a little fun with the chicas.

Policias pulled them over before they got near the red light district, all were searched. One guys had $420 in his wallet; policias took $380, left him $40, for a few beers perhaps. The other 3 guys all lost a couple hundred each.

I drove back at mid night, saw no policia around La Zona Norte, only 1 patrol car dicking around with another driver near the old McDonalds rotary. Good luck and be safe for the coming holidays.

[Dickus Maximus]

There is a story in today's Union-trib about the kidnapping problem in Tijuana The criminals have been setting people to meet at the "Hotel Aqua" in the south end of downtown Tijuana.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...dicted-tijuana).

Interesting story, but you need to be more careful with your reporting. It was Motel Aqua which is out near Otay, not the Hotel Aqua Rio in downtown Tijuana. And, that is where there were reportedly holding them. They did not kidnap them from there.

[Captain Solo]

Frogg,

You look the opposite of the hungry, skanky drug addicts and dealers profile.

[Hargow20]

There is a story in today's Union-trib about the kidnapping problem in Tijuana The criminals have been setting people to meet at the "Hotel Aqua" in the south end of downtown Tijuana.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...dicted-tijuana).

[SeaBeeJoe]

Before the pandemic, each time I went to Tijuana, in the Zona police were constantly patting people down. Whenever I'd leave the hotel, everywhere I looked police were searching someone, as you described. I assume I managed to blend in because I was never searched. I've been lucky, and suprised that I have not been searched or questioned yet. Since when the pandemic started, I've seen much less searches and fewer police out.

It is getting closer to Christmas and the Three Kings or whatever they call it. SOooo the police need the extra "donations" aka bribe money to get little Juanito and Roselia their presents.

[Frogg]

I turn onto Coahuila and hadn't walked 20 feet when a police car pulls in ahead of me and two male police get out of the car slowly. I am continuing to look straight ahead and they point to me and say something in Spanish. I tell them no hablo and then one says in English- put your hands on the car. So I do . . . My money was left alone and I made it back safely.

Before the pandemic, each time I went to Tijuana, in the Zona police were constantly patting people down. Whenever I'd leave the hotel, everywhere I looked police were searching someone, as you described. I assume I managed to blend in because I was never searched. I've been lucky, and surprised that I have not been searched or questioned yet. Since when the pandemic started, I've seen much less searches and fewer police out.

[Dogers69]

The bus is always waiting for you when you cross the border. If the bus isn't there, the line will be forming and the next bus comes in a minute or 2. It should say Centro. But sometimes it will say other stuff. Just ask. Say centro? If they say yes, you get off at modero, which is 1 block from revolution, or stay on it, the next stop the bus empties out and you are closer to Hong Kong. Its 75 cents or 10 pesos.

[Stinger]

Well, I wasn't really complaining too much about it here. I was kind of mystified and was trying to warn anyone else that might be in the Zona for the first time and might have some pills. I did not know there was a bus, though I knew I could ride the taxis. I used to come down 20 years ago and I have always walked both ways (in the daytime). Where do you catch the bus and what does it say on it? Thanks.

[Captain Solo]

Stinger,

I have been pulled over in my car 5 or 6 times, searched, but I stood my ground and policias never touched me up or stole from me.

Policías profile skinny guys wearing shabby dark clothes like drugs addicts or dealers, less likely based on races in or in other factors. If you look like their profile, you are more likely hassled. Just change your looks they will leave you alone.

Know your rights, protect your cash and valuables and enjoy la zona.