Crime, Safety, and the Police

[ScottHall]

Yikes, I've never been pulled out of a cab before. It sounds like these guys are getting desperate, just fishing without a pole. Anything American is gong to get hassled.

[Long Don Silva]

Saturday night, shortly before midnight in the cab on the way from the border to the ZN, the police flagged me down at a checkpoint. They asked the driver where he's going and he told them La Coahuila. When the police looked at me, I spoke loud and clearly, "Hola, señor. " Asked me where I was going, "La Coahuila. " I wanted to make it clear to them that I'm not any ol' pinche guero and they'd be able to have a productive communication with me in their own language.

Told me to step out the car, asked me for ID and what I do for work. Answered, they took my passport and told me to put my hands on the trunk. Fortunately, from all the reading I've done on this forum, I already had all my cash in my left hand and just put both hands face down on the trunk with my left hand on top of my cash. One of the police asked me what is that and I told him it's my money. The other asked me all the same questions the first guy asked. He proceeded to hand me my passport and tell me that we're all set.

[Captain Solo]

Wednesday night 10 PM on Coahuila across from Adelita, a policia patrol car stopped a brand new $100 K black Maserati Quattroporte with Mexico's plate. It was the first time I saw an exotic car with Mexico plate in Tijuana; most are hand-me-down, worn out old clunkers. We were walking in front of Adelita on the way to check out Chicago. 2 Policia guys had the young Mexican driver out of the car talking, checking papers. My wingman said he wanted to see how the scene work out.

We went to Chicago then walked back to HK. 15 minutes later Policia was still taking their time talking to the Mexican driver. They asked him to pop the trunk for search. The guy looked extremely nervous, shuffling quickly back to the cockpit to release the trunk. Unless the guy is Garlos Sim's son, what kinds of work does he do in La Zona Norte to afford a brand-new $100 K Maserati? Looked like policia either busted a couple kilos contraband in the trunk or took a huge mordida to let the guy go. In the past, policias were afraid of taking bribes in that area due to mulitple security cameras filming. We kept walking to avoid risks of shoot outs ect. Did not know how it turned out.

On the way back on Sentri lane, the young and pretty CBP spinner with her pony tail asked us to pop the trunk and what we were doing in Mexico; the answer was, " Visiting friends. " She asked us again sarcastically, " Visiting again this week?" She could see in her computer our crew had crossed into Mexico frequently, sometimes twice a week. We said we just love our Mexican friends, hehe. Perhaps she was jealous that she was working for Mr. Trump without pay, while we were having good times in Mexico?

Is it against the laws to ask your pretty CBP agents for dates?

[Captain Solo]

I got pulled over so many times on I5 and I805. The confluence of I805 merging into I5 is heavily monitored by CHP. Don't know how CHP monitor high speed or reckless cars, may be with radars, speed cameras or drivers on freeways.

A few times CHP would let me go with warnings, probably due to the flight jacket I was wearing. A few times I could see CHP patrol cars scurrying to catch up with me, so I just let off the accelerator to slow down to legal limit without braking. The officers would catch up and look me over with disgust but could do nothing hehe. Once a motorcycle CHP followed me on I5 North at my 5 o'clock blind spot for 10 miles, waiting for me to make a mistake to bust me, but I sensed danger and was careful to stuck to all traffic rules. Man, It was scary but exciting, like flying a fighter jet in combat, looking out for enemies to crawl up behind and ram a big heat-seeking missile up your asses hehe.

Twice a San Diego attorney, Elizabeth Aronson, got the tickets dismissed. She only charges $50 to fight speeding and $100 for reckless driving. Look her up.

But CHP keeps records. The last 2 times Liz could not dismiss or reduce the charges. The Ticket Clinic in LOS Angeles is a bunch of useless crooks. Local governments are going all out to raise revenues with traffic tickets. I was in court when I guy was ticketed by Garden Grove PD for discharging flaming materials in public. He flicked cigarette ash out of his window and got nailed for over $500 in fines and fees, WTF?

I kept telling my new wingman to slow down below 85 on I5/805 or he will get a reckless driving ticket. One night he passed right in between 2 big rig trucks doing 3-digit speed. The car could have been sucked in and crushed under the big rigs' wheels. This guy has not seen some horrific accidents so he has no fear. I want to stay alive and unbroken to vist my pretty chicas every week hehe.

I rarely if ever see CHP pulling cars over at night in the south bay at night. Now perhaps that's because I take I-5 back to Pt Loma.

[Muncher8888]

CHP also targets cars coming back from Mexico for drunk driving. I had to do a walking alcohol test once and passed, but was still nailed for speed.

Any of you bro's get a ticket I can highly recommend Mr. Ticket. Mitch is the founder and his co atty Abel are both awesome. Can they absolutely promise you will get off? No. Will they do their best and have they been fantastic for me? Yes many times. $99 base fee and you sign off so they are your rep. Don't even have to show up at traffic court. In the event the case is lost, you retain all traffic school rights.

http://www.mrtrafficticket.com/

[BearBare]

I rarely if ever see CHP pulling cars over at night in the south bay at night. Now perhaps that's because I take I-5 back to Pt Loma.

I lived in Point Loma for about 3 years of Zona Norte travels and never saw them on 5 either. Now I live inland and take 805. Still none. Only time I've ever seen LEO really after anyone in last 4-5 years was a table set up at PedEast that was asking anyone under 25 in appearance to show their ID before going to the carousels and into Mexico.

[Hargow20]

I rarely if ever see CHP pulling cars over at night in the south bay at night. Now perhaps that's because I take I-5 back to Pt Loma.

Of course different policias target different cars suspected of illegal activities, or just fancy, exotic cars which mean drivers have money. The Coahuila stretch has very disproportionately high patrols by Army, Marinas, Polcicias Estatale, Policias Municipal in cars and on motorbikes, not to mention the foot patrols and undercovered agents. Outside of Coahuila, policia patrols are rarely seen, if ever. WTF?

Due to a large population of Mexican driving California cars with expired registrations to avoid paying taxes, in the day time I see Tijuana policias pull over a lot of older sedans with Mexican-looking drivers. They will impound unregistered vehicles. So make sure yours have current registrations.

At night the policia assholes would target mongers leaving La Zona Norte for shakedowns. They know mongers have money and would demand to search pockets and wallets to steal cash. Hold your wallet, cash and all valuables in hands while they rifle through your pockets and they won't be able to steal anything. Their jobs are to search cars and individuals for evidence of crimes, like drugs or guns. If the bros have not done anything illegal, there is nothing for them to fear. Just hold your valuables so they can't steal.

A few times a month on Friday nights at midnight, Policias would set up alcohol check points on Benito Juarez, corner of Negrete, the choke point before the street splinters 3 ways back to the US and Tecate. They would talk to you to see any slurring in speech. Of course I told them I never drink beer or liquor. I went through it 4 or 5 times, only had to do the breath test oncce and passed.

CHP also targets cars coming back from Mexico for drunk driving. I had to do a walking alcohol test once and passed, but was still nailed for speed.

I have been driving into Tijuana for the past 6,7 years, also in Cancun, Cabos and PV on tours. I feel safe enough. The bros should not worry too much about policias or accidents driving in Tijuana. Not any worse than downtown LA.

Did the car look expensive or have bumper stickers or something else that stuck out? When I notice Americans getting pulled over, it is usually due to driving a flashy car like a white SUV that some Tijuana Cop probably covets and wants a closer look at his "dream car". On my last pullover by a Tijuana cop, he was asking questions like, how much did you pay for this jeep, is it gas or diesel, etc. , so I was pretty sure about why I got pulled over. Mexicans in general like "cuatramotos", so driving a nice 4 x 4 alone might be enough for a "speeding ticket". To be fair, CHP I believe does the same thing, but they probably target Ferraris just because they look "fast".

[Captain Solo]

Of course different policias target different cars suspected of illegal activities, or just fancy, exotic cars which mean drivers have money. The Coahuila stretch has very disproportionately high patrols by Army, Marinas, Polcicias Estatale, Policias Municipal in cars and on motorbikes, not to mention the foot patrols and undercovered agents. Outside of Coahuila, policia patrols are rarely seen, if ever. WTF?

Due to a large population of Mexican driving California cars with expired registrations to avoid paying taxes, in the day time I see Tijuana policias pull over a lot of older sedans with Mexican-looking drivers. They will impound unregistered vehicles. So make sure yours have current registrations.

At night the policia assholes would target mongers leaving La Zona Norte for shakedowns. They know mongers have money and would demand to search pockets and wallets to steal cash. Hold your wallet, cash and all valuables in hands while they rifle through your pockets and they won't be able to steal anything. Their jobs are to search cars and individuals for evidence of crimes, like drugs or guns. If the bros have not done anything illegal, there is nothing for them to fear. Just hold your valuables so they can't steal.

A few times a month on Friday nights at midnight, Policias would set up alcohol check points on Benito Juarez, corner of Negrete, the choke point before the street splinters 3 ways back to the US and Tecate. They would talk to you to see any slurring in speech. Of course I told them I never drink beer or liquor. I went through it 4 or 5 times, only had to do the breath test oncce and passed.

CHP also targets cars coming back from Mexico for drunk driving. I had to do a walking alcohol test once and passed, but was still nailed for speed.

I have been driving into Tijuana for the past 6,7 years, also in Cancun, Cabos and PV on tours. I feel safe enough. The bros should not worry too much about policias or accidents driving in Tijuana. Not any worse than downtown LA.

Did the car look expensive or have bumper stickers or something else that stuck out? When I notice Americans getting pulled over, it is usually due to driving a flashy car like a white SUV that some Tijuana Cop probably covets and wants a closer look at his "dream car". On my last pullover by a Tijuana cop, he was asking questions like, how much did you pay for this jeep, is it gas or diesel, etc. , so I was pretty sure about why I got pulled over. Mexicans in general like "cuatramotos", so driving a nice 4 x 4 alone might be enough for a "speeding ticket". To be fair, CHP I believe does the same thing, but they probably target Ferraris just because they look "fast".

[Travv]

Did the car look expensive or have bumper stickers or something else that stuck out? When I notice Americans getting pulled over, it is usually due to driving a flashy car like a white SUV that some Tijuana Cop probably covets and wants a closer look at his "dream car". On my last pullover by a Tijuana cop, he was asking questions like, how much did you pay for this jeep, is it gas or diesel, etc. , so I was pretty sure about why I got pulled over. Mexicans in general like "cuatramotos", so driving a nice 4 x 4 alone might be enough for a "speeding ticket". To be fair, CHP I believe does the same thing, but they probably target Ferraris just because they look "fast".

It does seem a bit. I can never quite figure why they stop some people often times. This is another reason why I avoid driving Tijuana. Driving a American car in Tijuana is simply another unneeded reason for law enforcement to hassle you in Mexico.

[Hargow20]

It does seem a bit. I can never quite figure why they stop some people often times. This is another reason why I avoid driving Tijuana. Driving a American car in Tijuana is simply another unneeded reason for law enforcement to hassle you in Mexico.

Hi! I was also in Hong Kong on Wednesday. I finished a business with my chica, I drank two Heineken and around 10 PM go out and just outside the Hong Kong club - wtf ! A scene like from the movie: five Federales with big machine guns aimed at a white car from the US, license plate from California and they are looking for something in the car. I don't know what they were looking for and don't want to know. Probably drugs, cash, weapons or maybe dead body. I quickly jumped into a taxi to the pedeast border back to USA.

[StRobert]

Wednesday was my first day here on this trip. I was here a month ago during the peak of the caravan. I felt that Tijuana was back to normal now. I thought the police presence was much less than a month ago. Though there was a heavy federal presence in the zona last night. They were feeling up a few gringos driving and tearing their SUVs apart, looking for something.

Hi! I was also in Hong Kong on Wednesday. I finished a business with my chica, I drank two Heineken and around 10 PM go out and just outside the Hong Kong club - wtf ! A scene like from the movie: five Federales with big machine guns aimed at a white car from the US, license plate from California and they are looking for something in the car. I don't know what they were looking for and don't want to know. Probably drugs, cash, weapons or maybe dead body. I quickly jumped into a taxi to the pedeast border back to USA.

[LookingToSwing4]

I would prefer going elsewhere, like MDE, but cannot get away for more than 3 days. So I thought it might be time for me to sample Tijuana since it is easy for me to pull-off an economical 3-day trip to take the edge off. Was pretty hard to tell what's going on given all the drama-filled news coverage. Situational awareness is always needed where we choose to play, but expect an extra measure of awareness is warranted given the situation. I do not plan to leave the Zona, nor wander around after dark beyond from one club to another. But I also plan to take advantage of the HK Border transportation services to further decrease my exposure to bad circumstances.

[Hargow20]

I would agree that the risk of muggings are a bit lower now. But one should never let your guard down in the Zona. Always look to see who is walking behind you in the Zona. The street crime fluctuates a lot in Tijuana & the Zona so one must always be wary.

Threats or delays of border crossing from the caravan is zero.

Threats from a gang turf war is high as gangs are competing.

Threats from muggings is low-medium.

Threats from ugly chicas price-gouging is high as the better chicas are on vacation.

Recommend you remain on alert when in the Zona Norte and not in one of the main clubs.

[BearBare]

If anything, the caravan just created visual items of interest. Theres now a field deployable barracade by PedEast and razor wire across the Tijuana river canal near the US mall (look west from PedWest and you will see it).

Also if you have military experience with Air Ops, you could see the different types of flying patterns (Hi / low overwatch, USCG vs CBP patrol, etc). Thats all gone though. The increased police seems to fluctuate by news reports. I've noticed when news spikes (rumors of a swarm trying to overwhelm CBP) then the Federales are out more.

But again, a gringo tourist is only affected by now you may have a chokepoint check by MX immigration at the bridge before walking over to PedWest. Just show you have a valid passport and no problems. Very quick but only seems to be done during higher times of crossings.

[DramaFree11]

Threats or delays of border crossing from the caravan is zero.

Threats from a gang turf war is high as gangs are competing.

Threats from muggings is low-medium.

Threats from ugly chicas price-gouging is high as the better chicas are on vacation.

Recommend you remain on alert when in the Zona Norte and not in one of the main clubs.

100% correct.