Santo Domingo

[CoronaVIP]

When I'm in DR I get stopped daily by La Policia Nacional, They wanted to search the car and I told them NO!

One of the policia was instructed to get in the car with me so we could drive to the police station and I told them "Nobody is getting inside my car".

I was just fed up them and didn't want to give them money.

Why didn't just give the PN a tip this time?

Why didn't you let them search? Did you have something on you or the car? Or fear that they will plant something on you? Yeah thinking about it I wouldn't let them searching either.

I never give more than 200 unless I was caught committing multiple violations (e,g. Moving violation plus lack of paperwork plus presidente in my hand, etc.).

[BigLongBeach]

Why didn't just give the PN a tip this time?

Why didn't you let them search? Did you have something on you or the car? Or fear that they will plant something on you? Yeah thinking about it I wouldn't let them searching either.

I never give more than 200 unless I was caught committing multiple violations (e,g. Moving violation plus lack of paperwork plus presidente in my hand, etc.).

Also on my last trip, while I was in Sosua they stopped me and wanted to search the car, I told them NO! The can't search the car because they have a warrant.

To make the story short, they made me drive to the police station and kept the car until the next day. The next day they told me that AMET have to make a report blah blah.

At the end I just gave them 1000 pesos and got the car back.

[Frannie]

Apparently some have not heard or read about "Black Lives matter" - something that grew out of killing of people at police hands across the US the last couple of years.

Quite so. In the US, if you refuse to get out of your car when asked to do so by a police officer, even if you do it very politely and respectfully, you are liable to be tasered, and dragged out of the car and handcuffed. The nominal arrest charges might be refusing to obey the lawful order of a police officer and / or wasting police time. They can always find some legitimate sounding excuse to arrest you if they want. Some people, who may have pre-existing health problems, will die during this process. If any reader here doubts this, I suggest they refuse to get out of a vehicle next time they are pulled over in the US, and report back to the board.

[Tempoecorto]

I'll back up Frannie's statement on traffic stops in the US.

Apparently some have not heard or read about "Black Lives matter" - something that grew out of killing of people at police hands across the US the last couple of years.

[CoronaVIP]

On my trip the police stop me about 20 times. 90% of the time when they stop me I just smile, give them 200 pesos and they let me go.

Also on my last trip, while I was in Sosua they stopped me and wanted to search the car, I told them NO! The can't search the car because they have a warrant.

To make the story short, they made me drive to the police station and kept the car until the next day. The next day they told me that AMET have to make a report blah blah.

At the end I just gave them 1000 pesos and got the car back.

[Knowledge]

This is good advice, pay attention to it and ignore the stuff in this thread that conflicts with it.

I've had the privilege of traveling the world in the military and for the US government since I enlisted in the Marines in 1965. It doesn't seem to matter where I go, but if you treat police with respect and don't push buttons the general rule of thumb is they will treat you the same. Now in some parts of the world, part of the police stop process is wild and hairy with lots of creaming, pointing guns and incredible intimidation. But I've never seen that here in my two years in RD. And I've been stopped several times. One of those was a legit stop for which I was willing to take the ticket rather than run down some of the cities famous motor drivers. Yep, and I went to the district police HQ and we talked. But, you gamble when you offer cash because word travels fast and you'll be tagged. Just be patient as you will spend some time, take the ticket and go through the incredible process here for paying the fine. Which by the way is usually less than a corrupt policeman might ask for anyway. And then again, offer cash and they'll play the bribe game. Frankly at that point you're screwed.

Frannie's characterization of traffic stops in the US however, if not only false, but seems to be characterized based on some article he read on-line. Since such characterization is not one expressed by Americans, on what basis does he have to make such a statement. Unless of course, he's still celebrating 20 April and hasn't returned to Earth yet.

[JjBee62]

I've had the privilege of traveling the world in the military and for the US government since I enlisted in the Marines in 1965. It doesn't seem to matter where I go, but if you treat police with respect and don't push buttons the general rule of thumb is they will treat you the same. Now in some parts of the world, part of the police stop process is wild and hairy with lots of creaming, pointing guns and incredible intimidation. But I've never seen that here in my two years in RD. And I've been stopped several times. One of those was a legit stop for which I was willing to take the ticket rather than run down some of the cities famous motor drivers. Yep, and I went to the district police HQ and we talked. But, you gamble when you offer cash because word travels fast and you'll be tagged. Just be patient as you will spend some time, take the ticket and go through the incredible process here for paying the fine. Which by the way is usually less than a corrupt policeman might ask for anyway. And then again, offer cash and they'll play the bribe game. Frankly at that point you're screwed.

Frannie's characterization of traffic stops in the US however, if not only false, but seems to be characterized based on some article he read on-line. Since such characterization is not one expressed by Americans, on what basis does he have to make such a statement. Unless of course, he's still celebrating 20 April and hasn't returned to Earth yet.

I'll back up Frannie's statement on traffic stops in the US. Because of the amount of time spent driving, I see a lot of traffic stops, probably 10-15 each week.

If you're white, you don't have much to worry about, unless you get really aggressive. A few years ago, I jumped out and got in the face of a Michigan Sheriff. I had a complaint about his driving and let him know about it. He backed down and sent me on my way.

On the other hand, I've watched local police pull over black and brown families who were clearly coming from or going to church, order them out of the car at gunpoint, handcuff the adults and search the car for failing to signal a lane change. All with no apparent provocation from the driver.

There's at least 20 US cities where Mr. E would have been lucky to just go to jail.

[FlbMac31]

In the US they would arrest you for refusing to get out of the car, drag you out of the car, beat you, and possibly kill you too!

I've had the privilege of traveling the world in the military and for the US government since I enlisted in the Marines in 1965. It doesn't seem to matter where I go, but if you treat police with respect and don't push buttons the general rule of thumb is they will treat you the same. Now in some parts of the world, part of the police stop process is wild and hairy with lots of creaming, pointing guns and incredible intimidation. But I've never seen that here in my two years in RD. And I've been stopped several times. One of those was a legit stop for which I was willing to take the ticket rather than run down some of the cities famous motor drivers. Yep, and I went to the district police HQ and we talked. But, you gamble when you offer cash because word travels fast and you'll be tagged. Just be patient as you will spend some time, take the ticket and go through the incredible process here for paying the fine. Which by the way is usually less than a corrupt policeman might ask for anyway. And then again, offer cash and they'll play the bribe game. Frankly at that point you're screwed.

Frannie's characterization of traffic stops in the US however, if not only false, but seems to be characterized based on some article he read on-line. Since such characterization is not one expressed by Americans, on what basis does he have to make such a statement. Unless of course, he's still celebrating 20 April and hasn't returned to Earth yet.

[Frannie]

Yes. But they are not going to set you up. They are doing it to get money in their pocket right now because most foreigners are going to be scared and give them money quick, fast, and in a hurry. If I was actually doing something wrong and got caught then I would have no problem passing them money to get out of it. But when I know and they know that I have done nothing wrong, I refuse to be extorted. I am not about to give each of those aholes 100 pesos each time they see it is a rental car and stop me. If you don't stand up to a bully you will continue to get bullied. Unfortunately in this case there are an unlimited supply of bullies and the word has not gotten around to all of them that we can't scare this guy into giving us money so just leave him alone. Because of this I have to go at them one by one.

In the US they would arrest you for refusing to get out of the car, drag you out of the car, beat you, and possibly kill you too!

[Mr Enternational]

Dominican cops be like...

[Taboc]

I would hate to see go side ways for you.

If it does go sideways, call the number given in the US Embassy for DR site. Store it in your phone. Who knows when it could help. http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/acs-e-contact.html

[Knowledge]

You should never act aggressively with the police. You should be friendly and treat them with respect. If you show them you are not afraid and not in a hurry, and not willing to give them money, they will go away. They will usually mention something you did, a traffic violation or a working girl or such, then tell you it's illegal. They will ask you how long you've been in the country, anything to get you in a vulnerable position. Basically, they make a nuisance of themselves in the hope you will pay them to go away. I make it clear I'm willing to sit there all night if they want. When they mention an infraction, I tell them OK, let's go to police headquarters (mentioning it's street address so they know that I know that they will never bring me there). Then they say something like, "OK you are a friend of the police" or "you have to be more careful" or some other bullshit. Then they go away. Also, it's nearly impossible for a motorcycle with 2 cops to catch a car. They can't maneuver quickly enough at high speed. You should not get into a chase but only stop if they have you blocked or you can't get through traffic.

Yes. But they are not going to set you up. They are doing it to get money in their pocket right now because most foreigners are going to be scared and give them money quick, fast, and in a hurry. If I was actually doing something wrong and got caught then I would have no problem passing them money to get out of it. But when I know and they know that I have done nothing wrong, I refuse to be extorted. I am not about to give each of those aholes 100 pesos each time they see it is a rental car and stop me. If you don't stand up to a bully you will continue to get bullied. Unfortunately in this case there are an unlimited supply of bullies and the word has not gotten around to all of them that we can't scare this guy into giving us money so just leave him alone. Because of this I have to go at them one by one.

[Mr Enternational]

You deal more with police in a week then I have in 5 years. Police are by nature mucho guys. You do not always have to be guilty of anything to go to jail. Police can set you up with great ease. You seem to be escalating your encounters. I would hate to see go side ways for you.

Yes. But they are not going to set you up. They are doing it to get money in their pocket right now because most foreigners are going to be scared and give them money quick, fast, and in a hurry. If I was actually doing something wrong and got caught then I would have no problem passing them money to get out of it. But when I know and they know that I have done nothing wrong, I refuse to be extorted. I am not about to give each of those aholes 100 pesos each time they see it is a rental car and stop me. If you don't stand up to a bully you will continue to get bullied. Unfortunately in this case there are an unlimited supply of bullies and the word has not gotten around to all of them that we can't scare this guy into giving us money so just leave him alone. Because of this I have to go at them one by one.

[OldKool]

You deal more with police in a week then I have in 5 years. Police are by nature mucho guys. You do not always have to be guilty of anything to go to jail. Police can set you up with great ease. You seem to be escalating your encounters. I would hate to see go side ways for you.

[Mr Gogo]

Bro,

Why not just be nice and pay the two cops 50 peso each (2 bucks) and go on your way? You are circling around a high prostitution area at 2 am in a rental and get pissed because you are pulled. Guns pulled and major delays over 2 bucks. It's not worth proving that point bro.

That was probably Wendy, that's the park that she usually hangs at. I've been to the cabanas on that end and the premium units go for 800 pesos and up. They actually have one that is two stories and real plush for 1200 pesos. You are right though they also have 600 peso units.

It's just a matter of time before you run into a cop who is going to resent you acting privileged and play hardball. Look at it like paying a toll, you pay 50 pesos and keep it moving.