Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Hargow20]

I have not been bothered by the National guard soldiers or have seen them bother any American's. They are mainly after dealers & cartel members as as keep the peace.

The time was around 830-9 pm. I had just left Guiseppis and was heading down primera had just crossed constitution was about halfway to ninos heros when they stopped me.

If I'm going to spend more time in the zona I may have to print up some fake sindicatura cards and carry them in my wallet like I used to do. I think I was lucky this time and I got two of the more honest cops in Tijuana. I might not be so lucky next time. The best thing I can do is minimize the ammount of cash I carry on my person while walking to / from the zone, always move with a sense of purpose and urgency not stopping to talk to the multitudes of street people constantly trying to get your attention, and keep my head on the proverbial swivel.

In the bad old days guys used to take a taxi from Adelitas to Chicago club. The muggings were that bad. The area has gotten alot better over the years but there is still some element of danger involved in traversing the spit and sadly sometimes dealing with crooked cops is going to be part of doing business in Tijuana.

Has anyone ever been acosted by the National Guard Presence that's been inhabiting the area as of late? I have never had any interactions with them they seem to just keep to themselves.

[Aviator400]

Has anyone ever been acosted by the National Guard Presence that's been inhabiting the area as of late? I have never had any interactions with them they seem to just keep to themselves.

Went through a guard check point. A local friend was driving and made a sharp turn to dodge a local police check point and was trapped by a guard checkpoint. He is bilingual and I was with an off duty HK BG.

They got us out of the car, separated us, and questioned us. My friend explained that I don't speak Spanish, so the brought out a soldier who spoke some English. He went through my pockets, saying, "I am not going to take your money. " I didn't have a chance to follow the advice to hold my money in my hand. However, he didn't take any money.

A female guard searched my chica. At first, I thought she was going to give my chica grief over the pepper spray that I had given her. My chica was frisked and her purse searched.

My amigo was searched and it looked like they were giving him some grief. However, after about 20 minutes they let us continue.

I had read stories in the forums about bad encounters. We got back in the car and my chica said that we were lucky, because at the police checkpoint they would have taken all our money.

We were just a few blocks from HK and apparently all roads had checkpoints. The guards were terse, but professional. Otherwise, I have walked past them many times solo. Never received anything more than a nasty look. Even that is rare.

[Daytonamonger]

What time did this happen? The police shake guys down less due to national guard around. What part of Primera were you on? Going past Constitucion is a bit more risky at times especially at night. One time the police actually tried to stop me from taking the money out of my wallet. Hopefully this is not a sign that police shake downs are on the rise again!

The time was around 830-9 pm. I had just left Guiseppis and was heading down primera had just crossed constitution was about halfway to ninos heros when they stopped me.

If I'm going to spend more time in the zona I may have to print up some fake sindicatura cards and carry them in my wallet like I used to do. I think I was lucky this time and I got two of the more honest cops in Tijuana. I might not be so lucky next time. The best thing I can do is minimize the ammount of cash I carry on my person while walking to / from the zone, always move with a sense of purpose and urgency not stopping to talk to the multitudes of street people constantly trying to get your attention, and keep my head on the proverbial swivel.

In the bad old days guys used to take a taxi from Adelitas to Chicago club. The muggings were that bad. The area has gotten alot better over the years but there is still some element of danger involved in traversing the spit and sadly sometimes dealing with crooked cops is going to be part of doing business in Tijuana.

Has anyone ever been acosted by the National Guard Presence that's been inhabiting the area as of late? I have never had any interactions with them they seem to just keep to themselves.

[Hargow20]

What time did this happen? The police shake guys down less due to national guard around. What part of Primera were you on? Going past Constitucion is a bit more risky at times especially at night. One time the police actually tried to stop me from taking the money out of my wallet. Hopefully this is not a sign that police shake downs are on the rise again!

I haven't been in Tijuana a lot over the past few years but it had seemed that the being pulled over by the police for being gringo has stopped. This sadly is not true. I was stopped on Primera on Tuesday night. 2 Offficers in a truck pulled me over for no reason other than me being white. Now, Having said that I was actually surprised that this encounter went pretty well. The first words out of their mouths were Are you looking for drugs? I answered "No sir I don't do drugs of ANY type" They put me up against the wall and frisked me, then asked me to open my wallet take the money out and hold it in my hand (which I would have done anyway) and searched through my wallet which normally would annoy me but I was carrying my "monger" wallet which contains nothing but my drivers license, a couple of condoms, my room key, and my money. I normally won't carry more than I'm willing to spend on a chica in that wallet but this time I had about 100 dollars worth of pesos in there and about 150 in US cash. Mostly 1 dollar bills. They asked me where I was going and I told them back to Hong Kong to my hotel and I told them I was eating on revolucion. They then again asked you're sure you're not looking for drugs to which I replied No sir I don't do drugs I just come to look at the chicas and tip them 1 dollar bills.

They asked me what I did for a living and I lied of course. It's none of their business what I do for a living. After searching through my wallet and finding nothing of interest they handed my wallet back to me and told me to be careful and headed on their way..

[Sol12]

This is why I do not drive in Tijuana. Walking across the border is much easier & faster. The other factor is that there is much less of chance being hassled by the cops for bribes. You can take a taxi van to the border for 20 pesos. Or you catch a Uber for abound 300 pess.

He was actually walking not driving. Sounds like a stop and frisk to me like the cops in NYC use to do. The problem is that when people believe they they are targets they assume they are only getting stopped for the color of their skin.

Many will take this as me defending what the police did but I have no idea if at night the police really could tell you were white, you know many people in Mexico have light color skin. The police in Tijuana also take advantage of the locals not just tourists. That's why they are referred to as the fourth cartel. You were smart and respectful so besides feeling harassed for no reason nothing happened.

Hopefully others read this and understand how to act when approached by the police weather it's in Mexico or anywhere else.

[Enter The V]

I haven't been in Tijuana a lot over the past few years but it had seemed that the being pulled over by the police for being gringo has stopped. This sadly is not true. I was stopped on Primera on Tuesday night. 2 Offficers in a truck pulled me over for no reason other than me being white. Now, Having said that I was actually surprised that this encounter went pretty well. The first words out of their mouths were Are you looking for drugs? I answered "No sir I don't do drugs of ANY type" They put me up against the wall and frisked me, then asked me to open my wallet take the money out and hold it in my hand (which I would have done anyway) and searched through my wallet which normally would annoy me but I was carrying my "monger" wallet which contains nothing but my drivers license, a couple of condoms, my room key, and my money. I normally won't carry more than I'm willing to spend on a chica in that wallet but this time I had about 100 dollars worth of pesos in there and about 150 in US cash. Mostly 1 dollar bills. They asked me where I was going and I told them back to Hong Kong to my hotel and I told them I was eating on revolucion. They then again asked you're sure you're not looking for drugs to which I replied No sir I don't do drugs I just come to look at the chicas and tip them 1 dollar bills.

They asked me what I did for a living and I lied of course. It's none of their business what I do for a living. After searching through my wallet and finding nothing of interest they handed my wallet back to me and told me to be careful and headed on their way.

Not sure if Tijuana policia wear body cams but the last time I was frisked the cops took 300 pesos from my pocket. This time nothing was taken. I truthfully don't care for being pulled over while walking simply because I'm a white guy. I much prefer Thailand to Tijuana and this is one of the reasons why. Mexico would love to get more tourists south of the border but being pulled over for really no other reason than being a foreigner is why their tourism numbers have and will be in the toilet for years.

USA and Mexico relations are bad right now thanks to the last 3 terrible presidents.

[KBToys]

Not sure if Tijuana policia wear body cams but the last time I was frisked the cops took 300 pesos from my pocket. This time nothing was taken. I truthfully don't care for being pulled over while walking simply because I'm a white guy. I much prefer Thailand to Tijuana and this is one of the reasons why. Mexico would love to get more tourists south of the border but being pulled over for really no other reason than being a foreigner is why their tourism numbers have and will be in the toilet for years.

I am surprised they didn't cite some kind of random traffic citation. I always get caught with tinted windows, but that is only when you are near ZN. I've also got caught speeding in Cancun and taking illegal turn on a road. I don't think tourist numbers are down in Mexico and see plenty of foreigners in Mexico. The higher costs of living in USA Are driving more Americans to move to Mexico. I've seen more foreigners in Mexico than previous years and could be due to the lax immigration policy of current administration or people really love the value Mexico has to offer. Food is cheap and tasty, good service, and friendly people. I personally love Mexico, but they really need to fix their roads and infrastructure, but they don't have as much tax revenue as the USA.

It is weird they kept asking you if you are looking for drugs like you are some idiot that would admit to something like that to policia. Maybe they were going to offer to sell you some? 😂 I'm surprised honestly they didn't try to shake you down for money after you told them you were going to throw some dollars at the chicas. I usually just say trying to find tacos or some restaurant and sometimes they even offer directions. One time I went to pay for my tinted window citation at the station and didn't have enough cash and the English speaking supervisor recommended using the ATM at HK to get more cash. 😂.

[Sol12]

Not sure if Tijuana policia wear body cams but the last time I was frisked the cops took 300 pesos from my pocket.

Last year they were supposed to try some out, I think it was 50 with the possibility of them being worn by all officers in the coming years. Since that original article I never read about it again so who knows if they even tried.

[Hargow20]

This is why I do not drive in Tijuana. Walking across the border is much easier & faster. The other factor is that there is much less of chance being hassled by the cops for bribes. You can take a taxi van to the border for 20 pesos. Or you catch a Uber for abound 300 pess.

I haven't been in Tijuana a lot over the past few years but it had seemed that the being pulled over by the police for being gringo has stopped. This sadly is not true. I was stopped on Primera on Tuesday night. 2 Offficers in a truck pulled me over for no reason other than me being white. Now, Having said that I was actually surprised that this encounter went pretty well. The first words out of their mouths were Are you looking for drugs? I answered "No sir I don't do drugs of ANY type" They put me up against the wall and frisked me, then asked me to open my wallet take the money out and hold it in my hand (which I would have done anyway) and searched through my wallet which normally would annoy me but I was carrying my "monger" wallet which contains nothing but my drivers license, a couple of condoms, my room key, and my money. I normally won't carry more than I'm willing to spend on a chica in that wallet but this time I had about 100 dollars worth of pesos in there and about 150 in US cash. Mostly 1 dollar bills. They asked me where I was going and I told them back to Hong Kong to my hotel and I told them I was eating on revolucion. They then again asked you're sure you're not looking for drugs to which I replied No sir I don't do drugs I just come to look at the chicas and tip them 1 dollar bills.

They asked me what I did for a living and I lied of course. It's none of their business what I do for a living. After searching through my wallet and finding nothing of interest they handed my wallet back to me and told me to be careful and headed on their way.

Not sure if Tijuana policia wear body cams but the last time I was frisked the cops took 300 pesos from my pocket. This time nothing was taken. I truthfully don't care for being pulled over while walking simply because I'm a white guy. I much prefer Thailand to Tijuana and this is one of the reasons why. Mexico would love to get more tourists south of the border but being pulled over for really no other reason than being a foreigner is why their tourism numbers have and will be in the toilet for years.

[Daytonamonger]

I haven't been in Tijuana a lot over the past few years but it had seemed that the being pulled over by the police for being gringo has stopped. This sadly is not true. I was stopped on Primera on Tuesday night. 2 Offficers in a truck pulled me over for no reason other than me being white. Now, Having said that I was actually surprised that this encounter went pretty well. The first words out of their mouths were Are you looking for drugs? I answered "No sir I don't do drugs of ANY type" They put me up against the wall and frisked me, then asked me to open my wallet take the money out and hold it in my hand (which I would have done anyway) and searched through my wallet which normally would annoy me but I was carrying my "monger" wallet which contains nothing but my drivers license, a couple of condoms, my room key, and my money. I normally won't carry more than I'm willing to spend on a chica in that wallet but this time I had about 100 dollars worth of pesos in there and about 150 in US cash. Mostly 1 dollar bills. They asked me where I was going and I told them back to Hong Kong to my hotel and I told them I was eating on revolucion. They then again asked you're sure you're not looking for drugs to which I replied No sir I don't do drugs I just come to look at the chicas and tip them 1 dollar bills.

They asked me what I did for a living and I lied of course. It's none of their business what I do for a living. After searching through my wallet and finding nothing of interest they handed my wallet back to me and told me to be careful and headed on their way.

Not sure if Tijuana policia wear body cams but the last time I was frisked the cops took 300 pesos from my pocket. This time nothing was taken. I truthfully don't care for being pulled over while walking simply because I'm a white guy. I much prefer Thailand to Tijuana and this is one of the reasons why. Mexico would love to get more tourists south of the border but being pulled over for really no other reason than being a foreigner is why their tourism numbers have and will be in the toilet for years.

[Dogers69]

Is it me or are there military personnel permanently stationed at the entrance and exit of the alley now? We're not talking about a sweep. They are on guard duty.

Yes I've been in on bus past that alley 3 x week for 3 months and some walking around in the evening. They are mostly always there. It's not helping business whose gona ask some girl for sex in front of them when you don't even see the girls drivers license to know her age.

[Aviator400]

Makes you wonder if it is a good idea to take HK / Chicago club girls out of the club for activities. I previously went to an HK chica's personal apartment multiple times and it was located in some seedy area of zona norte. In retrospect that was probably incredibly dangerous as she could easily have had men waiting to kidnap or ambush me. Or, there could've been men there already waiting for me regardless of whether she had any involvement because I clearly didn't fit in that neighborhood. I'm sure lots of other mongers go out with HK girls, but when I did I also felt that I stuck out like a sore thumb be / see my girl always dressed like a Hoe / hooker. I would get tons of stares and glances from folks in public be / see I was dressed normally but my partner looked like a hooker. Standing out so prominently probably was asking for attention to get singled out and robbed or kidnaped even if it's Tijuana and not columbia and even if I speak more spanish than that guy in columbia.

Starting to think it's safest to just keep to doing your business in the club and leave it there despite the urge to we all feel to develop a bond to the chicas and take the outside the club.

What do ya'll think.

I have often taken club girls out for dinner and a romp in my downtown hotel. I enjoy it because I get to know the culture outside of the zona and practice my Spanish in a pleasant environment.

OTOH, I went to a chica's apartment in Tecate at my request. Could have been a big mistake. Young men hanging out on the streets in what was clearly a ghetto. I had known her for a few years and she said that I would be safe, but I became quite nervous and for good reason. If anything happens here, they would never find the body. The visit was without incident, but my spider sense was pegged. Never again. Talk about performance anxiety.

[Jackie888]

Is it me or are there military personnel permanently stationed at the entrance and exit of the alley now? We're not talking about a sweep. They are on guard duty.

[ABAJoeSmith123]

Especially if you are a gringo, not street smart to meet up with chicas at their personal apartments. Especially if it's located in a "seedy" area. PROBABLY nothing bad will happen but you never know. Just my opinion. I do think it's probably fine to meet her outside of the club as long as it's another reputable establishment (e. G. , decent restaurant or bar, another hotel outside of Zona Norte).

I suppose it depends on the exact visual but most people do not care if you are out and about with a chica. IMO, people in Mexico mind their own business much more so than people in the US. The "stares and glances" you are seeing MIGHT actually be just something in your head and a reflection of you being worried about other people's reaction. But again I guess it does depend on the visual as I've never seen you or the chica in question together in person.

The visual is basically normal dressed in casual clothes next to an extremely attractive woman with Size DD boobs and her wearing an EXTREMELY revealing outfit showing basically her entire breast except her nipples. In america, only people wearing an outfit like that would be in a playboy magazine. In mexico I've seen tons of civilian women wearing fancy and revealing outfits, but they're exactly showing double the cups and wearing makeup like a working girl.

Probably was also in my own imagination, but you didn't have to be a physicist to know that we stuck out like a sore thumb as a couple in public places. Felt so uncomfortable it stopped being enjoyable for me. Pretty sure over time if I kept going out with this girl like that I'd get robbed in public. Probably not in the united states but definitely in mexico where the culture is ripe with kidnapping and I'm an obvious foreigner.

[Dogers69]

Especially if you are a gringo, not street smart to meet up with chicas at their personal apartments. Especially if it's located in a "seedy" area. PROBABLY nothing bad will happen but you never know. Just my opinion. I do think it's probably fine to meet her outside of the club as long as it's another reputable establishment (e. G. , decent restaurant or bar, another hotel outside of Zona Norte).

I suppose it depends on the exact visual but most people do not care if you are out and about with a chica. IMO, people in Mexico mind their own business much more so than people in the US. The "stares and glances" you are seeing MIGHT actually be just something in your head and a reflection of you being worried about other people's reaction. But again I guess it does depend on the visual as I've never seen you or the chica in question together in person.

Venturing to meet bar girls outside the bars is always the most exciting and dangerous thing you can do in Tijuana just about. A bar girl I knew for 2 yrs and even had sex 2 x for free set me up last year. Basically begging me for drinks in Zona on her off night but working things out with bartenders to let them know she was gona go for my wallet which she did. I let her keep the money she grabbed. But the whole thing I knew was a set up. For her begging me to meet for a drink, to hearing men in the background, to simply requesting money from me in the bar before proceeding to take my wallet. To walking into the bar alone to speak to the bartender before I walked in. Another street girl who was a wanderer as in not really a worker took me to the room across from playboy club and a guy was in the room. A civil was adamant I stop speaking to her in English and stop speaking in terrible Spanish too in the Uber to her house in the ghetto of tikuana. Virtually every bar girl I hung out with for free ever, each relationship, ends with a $$ begging of some kind, usually months after I last saw them. Let's put it this way. If you were taking Florida strippers home to their place, how safe would you be that no guy is gona come around to go postal on you? Not very. Then factor in Tijuana most violent city in world, theres nobody in prison for 99% of murders that happen, . And your a gringo already despised by most mexicans.