Crime, Safety, and the Police

[King Monger]

About a month or ago i was in the zone a few blocks south of the alley, scouting for SGs when a local called me over trying to sell viagra. After looking at the pill with a package that looked tampered with, he gave me some massage parlor card as I left.

2 blocks later the local police call me over and start the shakedown.

After asking for ID and wondering if it was my 1st time in TJ (this was afternoon) the asked me to empty my pockets looking for drugs. I assured them I have never taken any of any kind I kept waiting for the punchline, which never came. The handed me back my wallet after not finding anything and sternly warned me to not talk to guys and the street, and to head back towards the main drag.

With my tail tucked between my legs I was so relieved I escaped with no bribe money and no threats of beating, I hightailed it back to the safety of Adelitas and my $60 chicas. Lessoned learned for this gringo, dont stray too far from base, especially when along and be careful who you talk with.

Happy Humping

KM

EDITOR's NOTE: Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to capitalize the word "I". To avoid future delays, please use a capital "I" to refer to yourself in future reports. Thanks!

[The Wizard]

I also had an ex employee who tried to use phony money in TJ. He tried to use a fake $20 at a club. It didn't work. The police were quickly there and took him away.

I don't know how long he was locked up or what fine he paid. We had to let him go for not showing up at work.

I suggest that nobody try this. They've been using US dollars for along time and can probably spot a fake as good as anyone in the US.

[Joe Driver]

From US embassy in Mexico:

In some instances, Americans have become victims of harassment, mistreatment and extortion by Mexican law enforcement and other officials. Mexican authorities are concerned about these incidents and have cooperated in investigating such cases. However, one must have the officer's name, badge number, and patrol car number to pursue a complaint. Please note this information if you are ever involved with police or other officials. In addition, tourists should be wary of persons representing themselves as police officers or other officials. Request evidence that any such people are in fact who they claim to be.

Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Allende 3330,
Col. Jardín
Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas 88260

Phone: (867) 714-0512
Fax: (867) 714-7984

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. / 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Principal Officer: Thomas Armbruster

Also found: Concerned U.S. citizens may contact the U.S. Embassy or any U.S. consulate to discuss precautions that they should take. Four Americans were kidnapped in separate incidents in Nuevo Laredo during the Spring and Summer of 2002.

CRIME IN BORDER CITIES: Visitors to border cities such as Tijuana , Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, and Nogales should remain alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Visitors are very vulnerable when visiting the local "red light districts," particularly if they are departing alone in the early hours of the morning. Municipal and traffic police are aware of the danger and regularly check the area for persons carrying weapons or drugs and for drunk drivers. Nonetheless, Americans can still fall victim to crime in these districts. In Ciudad Juarez, there has also been a rise in automobile accidents in which municipal police extort money from U.S. citizen victims.

Just various comments I found on these US Embassy, and US consulate internet websites, pertaining to Mexico, and Nuevo Laredo.

Joe Driver

[Mutha Foo]

Explorer, that may be the case. This friend of mine is not the most honest person in the world and has been in trouble before but it was for assualt charges in the U.S. I only know his side of the story. Although, using funny money in TJ is not a bad idea. I have thought about it on occassion but I'm too lazy to pursue it. I'd rather just pay the girls in real dollars and be done with it. It may very well be that he made and attempted to use funny US money and got busted. Regardless, his family is having one hell of a time getting him out.

Mutha.

[Explorer8939]

The story below is funnier than the money. TJ cops are easy to payoff, unless they are convinced that you have committed a crime that money can't or shouldn't go away. For them to pass up a mordita generally means that they feel that the person is truly guilty and the crime is serious. So, don't be surprised if there is more to the story, that they searched the guy's hotel room and found a bushel of fake money.

Moreover, there is something fishy in the events as related, he goes out to the store, picks up some fake bills, and then gets arrested for passing out fake bills. If you think about that sequence, its rather odd.

Remember, everyone in prison is innocent.

[SDcruiser]

Mutha;
wow that sucks. Was your friend given pesos or dollars?

I've always thought that TJ would be a great place to spend phony US currency. Unless the chcas start carrying marker pens.

Can someone holler back to me with a hotel suggestion for street girls except Cascadas???
thanks in advance.

Cruiser

[Mutha Foo]

To all you mongers out there, watch out for the funny money. A friend of mine was in TJ with his wife and kid one weekend and went to the store to buy something; when he left he went to the liquor store next door. Well, what happened was that he got phony money from the first store and the cops busted him stating that he was trying to pass off funny money. Now he is in prison and tells me that his family can't seem to get him out. His family is trying to raise the money but in the meantime he is having a very hard time just staying alive. So far he has actually witnessed 2 murders while in prison. Just be careful when money is exchanged with some of the local vendors. As we all know TJ cops are a-HOLES and the mexican court system is only interested in getting the as much money as possible from an American family.

Mutha.

[Dinghy]

irish - and to second your observation - i got picked a couple of years ago by the flower girlz - once you recognize thm and they recognize you - it's easy to shake them off - a simple clenched fist and "dejame!" (day-hah'-may is the transliteration) with the accent on the second syllable - as shown - works well - they rep001ter like cucarachas in the light. they got me for a lousy $1 or 2 - didn't matter - the ampount was unimportant - just the principle. their other area is up by rev and premiere (first street) where you cut down toward the walking bridge. they also only seem to target singles - hard to do a group. might be nice to spoof them sometime with some stage money. also assuming the time has passed, probably the same ones i dealt with - were mid teens then a couple of years ago. cute, though (just larcenous)

[irishman]

BEWARE THE FLOWER GIRLS

Glad to see the new section set up for crime, safety and the police. A warning about the "Flower Girls" on Revolucion. These are a group of mostly attractive young women (teens to early 20s) who come out in the very early morning hours on the weekends, when drunken tourists are exiting bars in large numbers. They hold flowers and purport to want to sell them to you.

In fact, they are skilled pick-pockets. Their modus operandi is to approach you aggressively and invade your personal space, two at a time, and try to pick your wallet while you are distracted by the flower ruse and their attractivness. I encountered the Flower Girls awhile back at about 4:00 a.m. while leaving Peanuts & Beer. One girl holding up a flower closely approached me smilingly from the front while one swept by behind me. It happened very fast, but I had heard about the Flower Girls before so I was on-guard and when they got close I instinctively reached to protect my wallet, which, fortunately, was in my front pocket anyway.

They got nothing from me, but I know people who have had their wallet taken and only realized it later. It did strike me as to how effective their technique probably is with people who are not on-guard. I advise everyone to be on guard if you encounter this brazen group of girls.

[Poon Searcher]

Hey queer eye,

The cops in TJ are in way intimidated by you a bit. It's just that your number has not come up yet. If the cops won't get you the muggers will if what you said is true which I highly doubt. The prisons in TJ are not Club Meds like the ones across the border.

And by the way,if you think scratching and biting is mean than I guess you're pretty tough. LOL

[Queer Juan]

I'm in the Zona two or three times a week, have been going for years and have never been stopped, searched or questioned.

Funny part is I dress like I always do, which is to say I even stand out in the ritzy neighborhood where I live. Jeans daytime on occasion, but mostly Armani, Hugo Boss, Claiborne, you get the idea, dress slacks and shirt. Nobody screws with me.

Personally, I think the cops mess with the guys dressed the poorest, thats been my observation and experience. Why? I don't know, maybe their intimidated by people that dress. I walk that alley like I own it, but I'm rarely there after midnight and I don't drink so that might have something to do with it.

Also, I carry my atm and credit cards always, I make use of them when I have dates outside the Zona. Any cop that hoisted me would have their hands full, I'd go to jail rather than pay a bribe, any bribe, ever.

I've been in jail twice, I was a lot younger and it didn't scare me then and I'm a lot meaner now. Don't let anyone phuck with you down there, especially a cop on the take.

[irishman]

Double's report sounded credible to me, but of course everyone can make up their own mind about any report. I recall the previous post which Explorer accused Double of copying and embellishing, but Double's post is not at all similar to that prior post, much less "amazingly similar," except on a very general level (i.e. both incidents happened in the zona near the alley). Perhaps if Explorer had actually taken the time to go back and re-read that prior post (which I did not believe either, by the way), he would not have thrown out his accusation, which really should not be made lightly.

As for Double's statement that the police salaries are not a factor in their corruption, I would simply ask the following: if you were in a job that paid you $300 a month with no realistic hope of ever making legitimately much more, would you break more rules and commit more crimes to make money than you do now?

[Double]

Trolls, and Copy Catting,

I am a grown man. I have had enough of my own perosnal experiences in life that I don't need to scan the internet to find tales that I identify with to share with others as my own.

Once agian, I have been going to TJ for many years and never had a problem until this one. Most people that have gone to TJ have seen people stopped by the police, but from a distance you can't determine what is going on.

I am a simple sane adult. I do not drink, drug, or do anything to stand out. I keep a very low profile but that does not matter much if you are stepping out of a cab and the scam is on and going as soon as your foot hits the street.

Anyone monger that goes to the Zona Rosa is like a duck in a pond. Wrong part of town, questionable motives, and money in their pockets.

It does not matter how much the police make, curruption is an acceptable means to an end in TJ and these things will always happen. Show me a Mexican that does not know that curruption is a way of life in Mexico, and I will show you my new Mars rock.

My job is not to convince anyone that they are in harms way every time they cross the border, or that my experiene was real. When you are in the middle of your own problem you will realize it.

Stay safe in your travels,

Double, i.e. Troll, Copy Cat

[FlapJacK]

The first time I get scammed by the Tj cops will probably be my last time going to TJ. Ive been going on and off the past 12 years.

So far I Guess I can say I’m lucky.
I usually go alone and some times with one friend.
I always get there while its still light out usually around 5 - 6 PM I walk to Adelitas or one of the other near by clubs and have never had a problem yet.
I most the time just hang out in the Area of AB, Chicago and the back street where Hong Kong and Miami are, where there are lots of other people.
Id like to think that I’m pretty safe in the areas I stick to.
I’m thin, clean cut and dress nice and have not been screwed over yet by the TJ cops.

All the crap I keep hearing about the TJ cops is making me think twice about going it alone in the future but doubt this will stop me from going yet.
I guess all this will just make me be more aware of my surroundings.

And while were talking about TJ cops. During Christmas time I gave that Cop/Security guy “the older heavy guy" who is always there "front door adelitas". I gave him a $20. Tip On X-mas.
He now remembers me each time I visit, he always says hi to me and shakes my hand each time I show up.. I think I made a friend there with that little random act of kindness.

Maybe this will be beneficial for me one day in the future. And then again maybe not.

[Conejo]

We must all develop strategies to avoiding being shaken down by cops:

All on this board should be advised that if someone asks you what time it is, it is only to make you stop long enough to give you a pitch about a massage place or worse. It is crucial to ignore all of these people and walk away as if you did not see or hear them. Consider the fact that if you stop to talk to a person, the cops can make up any number of stories and charges up. The post by Double exemplifies just how they can and will do this. I know how paranoid this all sounds. But as bad as things seem to be getting, I think it’s not a bad Idea to have a strategy to reduce your chances of getting taken by the cops.

After reading all of these recent reports of police shakedowns, I should consider myself extremely lucky. I got away with paying $25 on a bogus charge of taking pictures illegally in the zone (of buildings mind you). I truly believe that I was made a mark last time because I did not dress down, and because I had a digital camera which is considered a luxury item in Mexico. When I was shaken down on my last trip, I got really lucky because the cop did not look inside my wallet. I don’t think that they will make that mistake twice.

For future visits I plan to follow a few extra precautions. I won’t bring any Credit or ATM cards. I will dress down as much as I can, without looking like a bum that won’t be let in the clubs (kind of hard to do). I also plan to invest in something that will allow me to stash my money away from sticky fingers, and crooked cop eyes. I will take the Taxi Libre right to the door of the AB where I can jump out of the cab and into the club (no barkers or cops hang around there). From there I will proceed with caution to the alley.

With regards to dressing down, I think that old and dirty tennis shoes are one key factor. I remember one time that I wore a newer pair of shoes old man made the comment “nice shoes”. But it he did it in a tone that made me uncomfortable and self conscious. If he spotted this despite the fact that I was dressing down, then I’m sure anybody else can. So next time, it will be my oldest pair of dirty shoes. I also plan to carefully digging through my closet for the oldest and worse clothes I can find. In addition to increasing my efforts to blend in as much as I can, I plan employ a strategy of diminished exposure in terms of time spent walking around. I figure that the less they see of me, and the less I stand out, the better the odds are that they won’t bother to make me their mark.

Overall, I think that the key for all of us is to find a way to make ourselves harder to get when our pockets are full. We must also find ways to become less obvious about the fact that our pockets are full. Cops don’t stop everyone. Weather they like it or not, it does take them time to conduct a shakedown. So they will likely look for targets of opportunity that will present the greatest likelihood of having full and or deep pockets. The shakedown that Double went through exemplifies just how well the cops know our profile and MO. Double was targeted because the cops knew that there was a high probability that he had just arrived with lots of cash, just as I was targeted because of the camera I had.

It’s up to us to use this forum to study their MO to develop strategies for avoiding their shakedowns. I don’t think that I’m going to stop mongering in TJ any time soon. But I do plan to be a hell of a lot more careful. It sucks that instead of being afraid of being mugged by the “bad guys”, we are afraid of being shaken down by cops. Makes me grateful that I live in the US where LE corruption is the rare exception rather than the rule.

One other comment regarding ATM extortion rides:

The issue of cops and crooks both taking people on an ATM ride is nothing new, nor is it an urban legend. This issue has been featured on Mexican news programs. When the crooks do it, it’s called a mini-kidnapping. The person is taken and held until the bank account is cleaned out. Since the person is released after all of the funds are drained from the account, it is know as a “Mini” kidnapping instead of the regular kidnapping for ransom. In Mexico it is well know that cops often operate with criminal gangs, it is not a stretch to believe that they employ the same ATM tactics. I will agree that some posts have been a bit sketchy about details. But the fact remains that this type of extortion is well documented all over Mexico, especially in Mexico City/DF. So do leave home without your ATM, and American Express, etc, or at least leave them in your car.

Conejo