Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Conejito]

Matiz

You are right, I posted a while ago about these "at-the-sentri-border-line" cops. I wish someone knew the chief or something so these ass-holes would go away.

They especially like to stop guys who are alone. Lucky you did not have viagra or whatever.

EDITOR's NOTE: Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to add standard capitalization throughout the text. To avoid delays in future reports, please refrain from using the "chat room" style of writing with no capital lettering. Thanks!

[Matiz]

Last Wednesday night around 2 a.m., I took a Libre back to the border and was let off on the walkup to the U.S. building. When I got out, my chapstick tube fell from my jacket onto the pavement. As I picked it up and put it in my pocket, five policemen surrounded me. The leader asked me what I had put in my pocket. I showed him and this launched a fullscale search of my jacket, then me, and all my pockets. They put everything on the hood of the patrolcar, where I was spreadeagled with my hands down on the hood. Once they realized I spoke enough Spanish to talk with them, they peppered me with questions like where I lived, what I did for a living, and where I had been in TJ. A little voice told me not to say I'd been in the ZN, so I said I'd been at Iguanas/Ranas. Cryptically, one officer said, "The iguana is a nice animal."

They were understandably perplexed by some of my paraphrenalia. My cigar cutter mystified them, as did my contact lens case, so I explained how each operated. Fortunately, I didn't have any contraband on me like drugs or even Viagra. I did have an almost empty tube of lube, which prompted one cop to say to me, "You know what this is used for, don't you?" Then he made a crude handsign for fucking. I didn't respond. I had assumed by then I was in for a shakedown drive. I know that these drive-arounds occur with some frequency and that the cops almost always let you go if you stay cool. If pressed by the cops, I would ask to see the judge, knowing that this is the last thing they want and that the cops usually fold if you call their bluff. Worst case scenario was that I would have to explain it all to the judge, which didn't bother me at all. In fact, I was surprisingly calm, and even felt a perverse tingle of anticipation about the challenge, should it come to that, of embarrassing these macho thugs in front of the judge ("So you see, your honor, I didn't realize that in Mexico probable cause could be established by carrying a concealed container of lip balm.")

However, at just about the moment I expected to be hauled into their car for a tour of TJ, the leader motioned for me to put my stuff back in my pockets. When I had, he handed me my driver's license and said, "Gracias, senor." I walked into the U.S. side looking straight ahead, a little surprised and very relieved. I immediately counted my money and checked for items, but everything and every dollar was accounted for.

I've been going to TJ for fifteen years and this is the first time I have been hassled by cops. I wasn't drunk, or even a little high, I dress neatly, act appropriately, and don't carry contraband. Always felt that I presented a very small, innocuous target to the TJ cops and that once I got near the U.S. building I was more or less "safe", but no more. A friend has told me that the point where I was stopped, which is where most of the Taxi Libres now drop off their customers, has become a favorite shakedown spot for the cops. He suggested going back to the old routine of being dropped off on the other side of the highway and walking over on the bridge, like we used to do years ago. Maybe I'll try that. For now, though, I'm going to be very careful in that area, avoid eye contact with cops, keep a low profile, and try to avoid anything that might give these jerks a pretext to stop me again.

[Rabo Verde]

Interesting story:

http://mediafilter.org/guest/Pages/January.09.1997.19.08.21

[Big Baller]

That's what I'm talking about Country John, firm but polite, they're after the easy money and if you get intimidated you will end up giving it to them, as I said before, they can smell fear and attitude, if you did'nt do anything wrong there's no way they can do shit about it, most of them are harmless.

Corruption is not an urban mith in TJ, is happens and yes, the reports are filled, names are given, but when you let the Tj police take your money with little or no resistance there's nothing you can do afterwards.

And as country john said, he didn't do anything wrong ( and even if he did get a blow job from any girl, thats not illegal, is part of the tourist package in TJ, not officially legal, but practicly legal) But if you did something wrong (drugs, fire arms, fake money, etc.) they will get you, and take everything they can from you because then they will have a legitimate reason.

So my advice as a TJ native is don't be afraid to go down there, but behave, don't bullshit with those people and you will have a good cheap time.

[Street Hoolum]

Yeah,

I agreed with Chuponalgas. It is better to walk across the border and take the taxi for 4 or 5 dollars. Unless you are very familiar with the Tijuana streets and neighborhood, it is wise to place your car at the American last stop.

To CJ:

You're right in one thing. Be polite and be positive. Dont act boisterous around the neighborhood and dont be an asshole. Yelling at policia in TJ will not get you anywhere except in " Jail "
Although I never had any problems with the policia, I can tell they sometime fuck with tourists and hassle money from US. Can't blame them, think about their coulple hundreds dollars paid salary.

If you are a newbie in TJ, it is best to walk across and take the taxi to your destination. After certain times of mongering in TJ, if you feel comfortable driving into TJ, then do so and drive carefully. I dont think policias in TJ target only expensive cars and such, because I known couple TJ club muchachas drove very nice cars too. So, not sure if you drive an expensive car will get you pull over or not, if you are afraid then just park your car at the border.

[Rabo Verde]

As noted here b4, it is MUCH better these days to walk across and take a taxi.

[Country John]

This is almost exactly how it went down last wednesday night in the Zona just moments after I dropped off Diana de Culiacan (one of my all times fav's) after a night of AlleyKat 17 in the Zona. Some stuff I don't have word for word (drug mass) but it's close enought for you to get the picture.

Drop Off Diana in the Zona, Turn right to head back to hotel, cops light me up:

Police Officer: Did that girl just give you a blow job?
Country John: No.
PO: Get out of the car. (Asks for license etc., part down - usual stuff.)
PO: What are you doing here?
CJ: I had a date with my girlfriend.
PO: I am going to arrest you because you know that is illegal in Mexico, lock up your car because you are going with me.
CJ: What is the charge?
PO: Getting a blowjob from a prostitute on the street in Tijuana, it is against the law.
CJ: What is your name?
PO: Officer responds.
CJ: Officer Fuckhead, I did not get a blowjob from that girl on the street in Tijuana. She spent the evening in my hotel.
PO: I SAW her give you the blowjob sir and that is why you are under arrest. I have a judge who will see you now.
CJ: I would be delighted to meet your judge, show him my hotel key and ask him to call the PUEBLO AMIGO where we are registered as guests and the front desk staff will verify that she was with me all evening. By the way, what was your name again (staring at his name tag).

(Country John proceeds to "lock up" his car and walk towards the police car. At this time, another police car pulls up (the whole fucking world is going to show up now) and out steps a very neat and trim individual who calls himself the "supervisor." These were uniformed cops in marked vehicles.)

PO #1 drives off. PO#2 says "What's the problem here?"
CJ: The PROBLEM is that your officer says he saw something that he didn't really see and we are on our way to tell your judge about it, but he drove off.
PO#2: OK sir, he told me over the radio what he saw so you can take your car and follow me to the station, the fine will be about $150.00 US Dollars (yes, he said US Dollars).

(He said this in a kind of "you can give me the money now in cash and we can forget the whole thing" kind of voice. I am Ex LE so I sometimes have a fucking death wish OK?)

CJ: The fine will be nothing sir because I committed no crime and I am ready to follow you now.

(CJ returns to his car, starts the engine, turns on the lights and turns on his signal light like he is ready to go. The police car behind him does not move however. He Waits, he waits, turns off his signal light, stops the engine gets out of the car and walks back to the police car and asked the Supervisor...)

CJ: Are we READY yet?
PO#2: OK Senior, you can go now but you go HOME.
CJ: OK, but I need directions back to Hotel Pueblo Amigo.
PO#2: OK, (gives directions).
CJ: Clarifies directions, these guys were trying to fuck me.
PO#2: Have a good night.

PO#2: drives off.

The reason why this went so well is because I was right and didn't do anything stupid. I had the answers, spoke politely but firmly taking names etc. If you get stopped by the cops, don't be wrong if you can avoid it, it's a very weak position to be in with these guys because they'll gut you like a fish.

Maybe this time I was lucky, maybe so but one thing for sure, I could prove the other guy wrong which is more important than proving YOURSELF right. They're after the money, plain and simple. Neat stuff eh?

Country John

[Traveler X]

shakedowns in tj are not an urban legend. the us embassy in tj gets these complaints on a regular basis, and have even released statistics on the ones that get reported. there are also a number of well-documented shakedowns including [CodeWord123] that have happened over the years.

i do hope things are improving in tj, but corruption is a real problem. there's a reason why police are so eager to randomly search people, and taxi drivers tell you to be careful of the police. the advice some veterans gave me was to avoid the rld after 10pm, carry as little as possible (no ccs or atm cards), and go straight to the clubs by taxi rather than walk. this has helped me avoid problems my friends have run into, although it's been some time since i've gone.

police can and do randomly search anyone they want without probable cause in mexico. on one trip i saw three such incidents, all near adelitas and chicago. if the police do search you, they examine everything, so they know exactly how much cash and what cards you carry. basically, the corrupt police are kidnappers, except it's illegal to run away from them.

if you are searched, make note of their name and badge, as well as the color of their car (if present). there are many departments and officers in tj, and so when my friend filed a crime report with the consulate, they were only able to id the police using this information. the consulate then passes this information on to the lawyer for the tj police.

[Street Hoolum]

Well, about the safety of TJ policias. There's not much issues to talk about safety in TJ. Just like a 3rd world country, where you carefully guard your wallet, dont walk by yourself into the wrong neighborhood, do not associate or talk to locals about buying drugs, than you're probably ok to be in TJ. I driven to TJ many times in the past and for the past 3 to 5 years, I never had a problem with policias or local thugs.

Personally I drove a late 90's 5 series BMW and I always drove across the border and parked at this parking where there's a taco store right next to the parking lot. Don't be intimidated or affraid to drive across because you're thinking that you drive a nice car. In the parking lot, I saw new Corvette, Porsche 911, and many German cars. One thing keep in mind is that, do not drive your car around the neighborhood if you dont know where you're going. Many streets are one way and little mistake can get you trouble either by the police. Also, purchase your yearly Mexico insurance when you indeed cross the border with your car.

Many times I drove on Revolucion and proceed to Chicago club and parked my car into the parking garage right adjacent to Chicago club. There are times when Patrol officers on their motorcycles are riding and stoping right next to me. They looked at me and politely smile and rode away. No problem people, just drive your car into TJ and there are many parking for you.

As for the policia harassing tourists or trying to rob tourists, I'm not sure about that and never encounter it myself. I think its probably urban myths or something. I sometime dress casual such as Lacoste polo shirt, Dockers pant and K-Swiss shoes. Policia can easily tell that I'm a gringo or tourist. Never had their eyes on me for more than 1 second. Also, sometime I wore a levi's jean, a t-shirt worth probably 50 cents, and a pair of vans. Same thing happen with no policia make eye contact with me for more than 1 second.

Not sure if this corrupting cops shit is real or not, but dont let other people information let you down. I never had any problem with local thugs and policias. Just be polite and positive. Dont be a jerk and boisterous around the neighborhood like you're a god damn American and nobody can do shit about it. Believe me, policias can do lots of shit to American. One friend of mine from LAPD was actually arrested few years ago when too much drinking and cursing with locals at a bar. Policias and plain clothes detectives probably, had him search and detain. LAPD friend show him his LAPD badge and ID badge and the TJ detectives said " Your LAPD badge dont work here." Well, make long story short, he's jailed for approximately 20 hours after TJ policias called in to LAPD to verify his identification. In the mean time, I was waiting for him around the neighborhood by having lots of carnitas tacos, mucho cervezas and lots of chica to talk to.

He's feeling like shit and knowing that he shouldn't fuck around in TJ anymore. So, good luck and hope this information will find you good.

[Dong Long]

Mutha fag,

Nope not small but BIG enough to fit in yo corn cob sized bung hole that farts like a pant from that LSW @ the alley named Cunsweylo.

[Sordid]

We stopped by TJ last night. I just got back this afternoon. My buddies left early this morning to beat traffic. While walking in a darker, quiter area just outside of the zona, I was jacked up against the wall by two of the law enforcement officers in the white shirts with the black vests.

The one searching me handed me the money in my pocket as he searched until he got to the pocket with the 10s and 20s. Then he tried to hand the wad to his partner. I turned around and grabbed it from him. His partner slammed me in to the wall and grabbed my right hand shouting, "Arriba!" multiple times. Then they took everything from me, then returned them a few minutes later.

They tried to take 2 small electronic items by filling up my hands (while returning my money/belongings), then walking away very quickly. I went after them to get my stuff back. I may spend a few hours in jail, but I would've worked VERY hard to get both of them fired any way I could if I hadn't gotten my stuff back. The bigger fatter guy had an attitude, but when they realized I wasn't going to let them just walk away, they gave me my stuff back. I assume they are only searching for easy prey.

They stopped me on the premise that they were looking for drugs (looking for a reason to rob tourists under color of authority). They also asked if I had people there with me. I don't think they would have stopped us if all 5 of us were there.

Hope this helps anyone who runs into these assholes.

Warning: DO NOT FUCK WITH THE FEDERALIES!

The guys in the military fatigues with the assault rifles are not to be trifled with! They will not bother you unless you go out of your way to do something really stupid. It's the locals that will mess with you.

[Mutha Foo]

Dung Long,

Most TJ hookers prefer Asians because for one, you guys have lots of money and two, you guys got small peckers.

Mutha.

[Sonidos]

Doon Long,

I am African and two of my Adelitas mongering budies are Asians, and we have never had any problems for the past two years of hanging out there. If you have the cash and you are polite to the ladies, you will get all the action you want. I would avoid Chicago because that place really sucks. Adelitas does get crowded and really hot on weekends, so you are warned.

Be safe, but lots of fun.

Member #1846

[ImTheMan1]

Dong Long,

Not a problem. In fact, you will see so many asian fellowers in Adelita bar or Chicago Club. Someone in this forum even called the chicago Club Asian American Social Club because of too many asians there :-)

[Dong Long]

Hey guys,

I'm an asian guy, and I've been to TJ before a couple times, no trouble no harassment but do you think I'd have any trouble going for some of the action at Adelita's or Chicago Club? And getting back over the border after that? I usually do the SW thing or AMP thing here, I just have heard so much praise about TJ and want to get some advice.

EDITOR's NOTE: Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to add standard capitalization throughout the text. To avoid delays in future reports, please refrain from using the "chat room" style of writing with no capital lettering. Thanks!