Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Hargow20]

Tijuana: "In a city of about 2. 2 million people, 105 homicides are committed for every 100,000 residents" Tijuana is second most violent city in thw world.

I agree here. Law enforcement is disorganized & it shows in the Zona.

"The different levels of government don't know how to divide the responsibilities among local, state and federal agencies," she said. "It needs to be clear the governor is coordinating and is in charge, and if the National Guard is involved, it's her responsibility to oversee the federal forces, which don't know how to do police work. ".

https://www.borderreport.com/immigra...iolent-cities/ Celaya Mexico ranks 1st in the world.

https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/th...the-world.html

[Captain Solo]

Beers and liquors bought from HK are allowed in Tropical and vice versa, as both bars are owned by the same party and guys cross the street back and forth to both. Liquor bottles and beers in hotels have bars' labels, but beers sold in bars have none. Tropical security guys are very careful checking bottles to make sure guys don't sneak in outside beers.

Wednesday night I was waiting for my Tropical girl to show, went outside, left my beer with security guard to smoke on the sidewalk in front of the bar. 3 Mexican guys, staying at Rizo with white wrist bands, went down to Tropical with beer bottles, apparently claimed they were bought in Rizo. Security guys would not let them bring the beers in. The guys argued with security, not in loud or aggressive manners but security still refused, 2 guys dropped and shattered their beer bottles on the sidewalk. Chato, Tropical's burly and bearded GM came out working the issue, but quickly got really mad, called in policia.

Within 1 minute a Policia Municipal pick up truck showed up with 2 cops. They rounded up 3 guys, questioning them. Then 2 more trucks and 3 moto cops immediately showed up. They questioned the guys and Tropical's GM and workers. Looked like Tropical accused them of drinking on sidewalk and assaulting security. Polcia quickly cuffed 3 guys together and ordered them to get onto the truck bed. A Tropical's mesero vouched for the guy who did not drop his beer; policia quickly uncuffed and let him go. The other 2 guys were resisting boarding the truck, quickly got pulled up onto the truck bed by their armpits and driven away. Looks like Tijuana policias are highly experienced in quick loading suspects this way.

This is how quickly small disputes can turn into nasty confrontations and ruin your visit in Tijuana. When you have problems at the bars, it's best not to threaten or abuse anyone verbally or physically and risk being arrested. Insist on seeing managers and try to resolve problems quietly, or just give up fighting bars' workers over small change. Workers and managers at Tijuana's putas bars have to deal with some nastiest people in Mexico, including the extremely violent cartels, so they can be very rough when challenged. I had a complaint against a Tropical girl price jacking me, just to see how Tropical handle complaints. Chato handled it fairly, took his time, let both sides air their grievances, let the girl go without disciplining her, then quietly refunded my money.

In this Wed night confrontation, he was visibly angry, told me nothing happened with the guys, even ordered me back in the bar.

[Sol12]

The last time I drove into Mexico, some drunken idiot smashed into me on Revolution. He threatened me, and then ran when the police showed up.

I had Mexican insurance, and my US insurance covered me too. So there was subrogation, as the two companies fought for my claim. Apparently, the guy who hit me had a new car, and whoever paid my claim got his car. So I received a nice check for my totaled car.

The police were very polite, but could speak no English.

After that, no more driving in Tijuana, although I do rent cars in the DF.

Reminds me of the only accident I was in in all my years of driving in Tijuana was a HK girl hitting me on her way home, happened a little outside the Zona. The lucky thing is that there was a motorcycle cop right in front of us when it happened so he knew who was at fault. She was with some guy that was actually driving but he quickly switched seats with the girl since I'm sure he had been drinking. So we go to the police station to work out details of payment since she didn't have insurance. The guy was trying to act like a tuff guy and kissing up to the cops to make me think they were on his side and I shouldn't be taking money from the girl.

So we got the estimate of repair and of course she didn't have the amount on her. I think it was around $700 maybe a little less. So she told me we could go to her place to get money. Something like $300 and she would pay us the rest later since I knew where she worked and one of the managers. In reality I wasn't looking to take all the money from her and might of blown off the $300 if the guy wasn't trying to act like he was intimidating me. She wasn't a very attractive girl also so I knew this was a lot of money for her. So after getting the $300 I never tried to get the rest since I didn't have any plans to fix the damage since it didn't hinder the driving ability and was just a cosmetic problem.

[Explorer8939]

I never drive to Tijuana. The risk reward factor of walking is by far the better choice. I walk to the Zona if the sun is still out. Or I take the taxi vans at after dark. The vans only charge 20 pesos. The police rarely if ever shake down US citizens in the Zona and downtown for the past few years. Driving in Tijuana is a open invitation for police to stop Americian's. The other factor is that it is much faster to wait in the pedestrian lines.

The last time I drove into Mexico, some drunken idiot smashed into me on Revolution. He threatened me, and then ran when the police showed up.

I had Mexican insurance, and my US insurance covered me too. So there was subrogation, as the two companies fought for my claim. Apparently, the guy who hit me had a new car, and whoever paid my claim got his car. So I received a nice check for my totaled car.

The police were very polite, but could speak no English.

After that, no more driving in Tijuana, although I do rent cars in the DF.

[Hargow20]

A lot of the cartel members could be taken out. But just remember that the cartels are not a formal military. About the only way to weed out corruption would be to international observers that would help identify corruption. I do think the Mexican National guard is doing a lot to quell violence in Tijuana. But they first need to arrest the street dealers and lock them up.

How long would it take trump to wipe out 90% of the cartels. Is it possible or are they too interwoven in the Mexican government. Forget the Mexico is a sovereign government BS. So was Iraq Libya Somalia and wherever else.

[WombatEd2]

How long would it take trump to wipe out 90% of the cartels.

Probably about as long as it took Israel to wipe out Palestinian terrorism. And I'm sure he'd make Mexico pay for it!

[Hargow20]

Personally I have very few if any business owners threaten to call the police on me.

I'm in Tijuana all the time, and yes business will call cops on gringos for the slightest thing. They do not like us. Not every cpuntry is taught to treat foreigners with open arms. My point is, don't upset any business owner in Tijuana. You may end up in hand cuffs. Hong Kong won't do this to you but all these other business around town will. In terms of money, it should never be that easy for the policia to find your money. If you have 600 cash in you, I'm gona asume your rich. A cop is gona asume your mega rich. They make probably 30 a day not counting robbing tourists. You also shouldn't pay them for bogus tickets. Tell them to take you to station otherwise they will just keep doing this to everyone. And yeah basically I have never driven my car into mexixo because I don't want my car taken from me. I don't want bogus tickets. Mexican insurance costs alot of money if you don't buy it, and get in accident you could end up in mexixan jail instantly. If all your doing is going to hotels and Hong Kong and even Playas, theres no point to take a car. Much safer to park in usa and take uber.

[Dogers69]

I'm in Tijuana all the time, and yes business will call cops on gringos for the slightest thing. They do not like us. Not every cpuntry is taught to treat foreigners with open arms. My point is, don't upset any business owner in Tijuana. You may end up in hand cuffs. Hong Kong won't do this to you but all these other business around town will. In terms of money, it should never be that easy for the policia to find your money. If you have 600 cash in you, I'm gona asume your rich. A cop is gona asume your mega rich. They make probably 30 a day not counting robbing tourists. You also shouldn't pay them for bogus tickets. Tell them to take you to station otherwise they will just keep doing this to everyone. And yeah basically I have never driven my car into mexixo because I don't want my car taken from me. I don't want bogus tickets. Mexican insurance costs alot of money if you don't buy it, and get in accident you could end up in mexixan jail instantly. If all your doing is going to hotels and Hong Kong and even Playas, theres no point to take a car. Much safer to park in usa and take uber.

[Hargow20]

I never drive to Tijuana. The risk reward factor of walking is by far the better choice. I walk to the Zona if the sun is still out. Or I take the taxi vans at after dark. The vans only charge 20 pesos. The police rarely if ever shake down US citizens in the Zona and downtown for the past few years. Driving in Tijuana is a open invitation for police to stop Americian's. The other factor is that it is much faster to wait in the pedestrian lines.

Well it was only a matter of time. I had my first run in with the Tijuana police last night. This happened once many years ago in Tecate also. I left the hotel later than usual and was heading to the border around 10 pm. I saw the common blue and white pick up truck immediately do a you-turn and follow me for a few blocks before putting on the lights. I stayed calm as I knew what to expect. A brief search of the vehicle and then a "ticket" for not having both hands on the wheel. I offered to "pay the ticket now" which eased the tension but 500 pesos was not enough. Unfortunately he had found the 6 Benjamin's in my passport. I added a $20 dollar bill to the 500 pesos and he hid them in his flashlight (maybe so his partner didn't know) and then let me go.

Telling the story to the American border agent seemed to expedite my approval to drive through, which was a nice bonus.

[FlacasOnly420]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding but they let you leave with the $600 and only took 500 pesos + $20? I'm finding that hard to believe.

I'll drive into Mexico once in a while but I never park in the zona. Way too many cops around who will pull you over for no reason at all. I had never heard of getting pulled over for not having both hands on the wheel.

Back in the day a cop pulled me over in the zona because he said I had cut him off which was total BS. He then accused me of being drunk which I was not. Ended up having to fork over $80 because he wouldn't have let me go otherwise. I haven't driven in the zona again ever since.

He had the $600 in his hand. I asked him not to steal it. He put it back and then we negotiated for 500 pesos and $20. My best guess is that they / he really didn't catch me doing anything wrong. The "ticket" was not having two hands on the wheel. I'm certain if I had been caught with an open beer, drugs, running a red light, that it would have been much more costly.

The border crossing agent agreed that I got off very cheap.

Going forward I'm more worried now about that short drive coming into the country between the border and the hotel where I have all the money for the weekend ahead.

[Nothing24]

Well it was only a matter of time. I had my first run in with the Tijuana police last night. This happened once many years ago in Tecate also. I left the hotel later than usual and was heading to the border around 10 pm. I saw the common blue and white pick up truck immediately do a you-turn and follow me for a few blocks before putting on the lights. I stayed calm as I knew what to expect. A brief search of the vehicle and then a "ticket" for not having both hands on the wheel. I offered to "pay the ticket now" which eased the tension but 500 pesos was not enough. Unfortunately he had found the 6 Benjamin's in my passport. I added a $20 dollar bill to the 500 pesos and he hid them in his flashlight (maybe so his partner didn't know) and then let me go.

Telling the story to the American border agent seemed to expedite my approval to drive through, which was a nice bonus.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding but they let you leave with the $600 and only took 500 pesos + $20? I'm finding that hard to believe.

I'll drive into Mexico once in a while but I never park in the zona. Way too many cops around who will pull you over for no reason at all. I had never heard of getting pulled over for not having both hands on the wheel.

Back in the day a cop pulled me over in the zona because he said I had cut him off which was total BS. He then accused me of being drunk which I was not. Ended up having to fork over $80 because he wouldn't have let me go otherwise. I haven't driven in the zona again ever since.

[FlacasOnly420]

Sorry to hear. One of the reasons I absolutely refuse to drive in Tijuana under any circumstances. Only go to Tijuana occasionally (3-4 times a year) but this far have managed to avoid any run-ins with policia.

Unfortunately I've personally witnessed them harass / search many people walking. On Sunday I saw the girls at the pharmacy yell to a cop because the homeless man inside had a horrible smell. The man did not resist or argue and was searched and handcuffed.

I know American police have their flaws but it's a completely different situation south of the border. I am much more cautious if police than criminals in Mexico.

[BrotherMouzone]

Well it was only a matter of time. I had my first run in with the Tijuana police last night. This happened once many years ago in Tecate also. I left the hotel later than usual and was heading to the border around 10 pm. I saw the common blue and white pick up truck immediately do a you-turn and follow me for a few blocks before putting on the lights. I stayed calm as I knew what to expect. A brief search of the vehicle and then a "ticket" for not having both hands on the wheel. I offered to "pay the ticket now" which eased the tension but 500 pesos was not enough. Unfortunately he had found the 6 Benjamin's in my passport. I added a $20 dollar bill to the 500 pesos and he hid them in his flashlight (maybe so his partner didn't know) and then let me go.

Telling the story to the American border agent seemed to expedite my approval to drive through, which was a nice bonus.

Sorry to hear. One of the reasons I absolutely refuse to drive in Tijuana under any circumstances. Only go to Tijuana occasionally (3-4 times a year) but this far have managed to avoid any run-ins with policia.

[FlacasOnly420]

Well it was only a matter of time. I had my first run in with the Tijuana police last night. This happened once many years ago in Tecate also. I left the hotel later than usual and was heading to the border around 10 pm. I saw the common blue and white pick up truck immediately do a you-turn and follow me for a few blocks before putting on the lights. I stayed calm as I knew what to expect. A brief search of the vehicle and then a "ticket" for not having both hands on the wheel. I offered to "pay the ticket now" which eased the tension but 500 pesos was not enough. Unfortunately he had found the 6 Benjamin's in my passport. I added a $20 dollar bill to the 500 pesos and he hid them in his flashlight (maybe so his partner didn't know) and then let me go.

Telling the story to the American border agent seemed to expedite my approval to drive through, which was a nice bonus.

[Hargow20]

I see dealers in the alley by HK sometimes. These days it is more sporadic. Most of the dealers hang out by Hotel CeCe. The only good thing is that there is fewer dealers in the Zona. But this would explain why the Mexican national guard patrols the Zona all the time.

I have seen them when I arrived 1 PM every Sunday. They were still there after midnight, so looks like HK has 24/7 armed security guards, a few times petite women with their big shiny Glocks. How are they going to protect HK when guys show up with their AK47's, spraying the place then torch it. It's a death job but someone has to do it.

The alley behind HK and Chavelas has been a busy spot for drug dealers for the past 20 years. Working people used to line up 20 deep for their deals when the dealers showed up at night, not so obvious recently. Dealers would sometimes hid their stash inside Chavelas and run in and out for supplies. Now they store their stash in utility holes on the sidewalk.

Tijuana has been Sinaloa cartel's territory for decades, who taxes bars, clubs and casinos for protection. CJNG has been trying to take over this territory. They shot quite a few dealers in La Zona including the 2 Sinaloa dealers who ran into Chavelas and died last year. Chavelas' back door has been closed since. Looks like LE has a beef about Chavelas harboring drug dealers. But new dealers showed up after a few days..