Crime, Safety, and the Police

[Member #4722]

I keep my wallet in my pocket. Last time coming into HK from alley side, I think the security guy probably took $20 in one dollar bills. I had a bunch of $1's and did not notice it until I sat at the stage going to tip the ladies. It could have fell out of my pocket, but most likely think it was during pat down. The pat down seemed more concerned with what was in my other pocket and drew my attention away from wallet pocket. Who knows, it could have been swiped, fell out of pocket, or a lady could have swiped it. It makes me think I should bring a zippered Fanny pack under my shirt, but $20 isn't too bad. At least I came back home safely, don't have diarrhea and had a good time.

I think it's common to drop money in La Zona, especially when you are drinking and distracted and have the money in same pocket as the phone. I would be shocked if the door guy was ripping people off. That's a quick route to sleeping with the fishes from their bosses.

[Member #4730]

I don't understand why I need to put my wallet in the tray. There is nothing metallic in there that the metal detector would fail to catch. The only reason that you need to do it at the airport is that they x-ray your wallet and eyeball if there is nonmetallic contraband inside. Here HK doesn't do that. They're just going through the motion to give an impression that they know what the fuck they are doing.

I keep my wallet in my pocket. Last time coming into HK from alley side, I think the security guy probably took $20 in one dollar bills. I had a bunch of $1's and did not notice it until I sat at the stage going to tip the ladies. It could have fell out of my pocket, but most likely think it was during pat down. The pat down seemed more concerned with what was in my other pocket and drew my attention away from wallet pocket. Who knows, it could have been swiped, fell out of pocket, or a lady could have swiped it. It makes me think I should bring a zippered Fanny pack under my shirt, but $20 isn't too bad. At least I came back home safely, don't have diarrhea and had a good time.

[Jackie888]

I don't understand why I need to put my wallet in the tray. There is nothing metallic in there that the metal detector would fail to catch. The only reason that you need to do it at the airport is that they x-ray your wallet and eyeball if there is nonmetallic contraband inside. Here HK doesn't do that. They're just going through the motion to give an impression that they know what the fuck they are doing.

[Travv]

Around 9 pm on the front side last night.

Out of curiosity did this occur in front or on the alley side?

[Baxter Slade]

Was going through the security scanner at Chavelas which involves putting your wallet, cell phone and other items with metal in the tray. Soon as I stepped through the metal scanner, a street person darted over and tried to snatch my wallet and cell phone from the tray before I could retrieve it. Security guy was quick and batted her hand away just in time and pushed the tray over to me. She then ran off. Stay alert!

Out of curiosity did this occur in front or on the alley side?

[Travv]

Was going through the security scanner at Chavelas which involves putting your wallet, cell phone and other items with metal in the tray. Soon as I stepped through the metal scanner, a street person darted over and tried to snatch my wallet and cell phone from the tray before I could retrieve it. Security guy was quick and batted her hand away just in time and pushed the tray over to me. She then ran off. Stay alert!

[Jackie888]

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[Travv]

Generally agree with you that tourists should realize that others are looking to take advantage of them and make an effort to not be the easiest target. Some posters here are like ostriches putting their head in the sand, believing danger in Mexico is somewhere far far away and others go to the opposite extreme believing Mexico is too dangerous for tourists. You point out that the sensible approach is to be watchful and take basic steps which I have suggested often here. . . Avoid flashing wealth such as expensive cars or vans, not walking around at night away from security protected areas (especially drunk) and the like, but some tourists refuse to believe that Mexico is any different or more dangerous than Kansas. I got a laugh when one poster here remarked that Travv's posts only involve crimes in Mexico far away, implying Tijuana is safe. So I decided to post an article about a broad daylight kidnapping in Tijuana that had just happened.

For more info on adventures gone wrong in Mexico, google to read the tourists reports on the MexicoVacationAwareness blog. Apparently a common road to disaster for many tourists was to not drink from sealed bottles or cans, allowing thieves to spike their drinks with rohypnol or cheap methanol setting them up for theft or whatever.

Travv,

I respect your info and opinions. But I think your recent posts overstate the danger. I'm not denying your stories; they include highly credible links. But I can find similar stories in US cities. Reality is dozens or hundreds of mongers cross every day without incident. And those mongers would be fools not to follow basic caution.

My rule of thumb: assume someone is looking for an opportunity to take advantage of someone at all times. So I put effort in to not be the easiest target. Simple, basic steps will keep you safe from all but random acts. No doubt, Tijuana is a dangerous place. But primarily for inter-cartel violence. If we remove that type of violence from the equation, Tijuana is no more dangerous than many big US cities.

[Phordphan]

Does anyone know if I am required to have a passport if LEO stops my car? Or if a Global Entry card and California Driver's license will do? I am not updated on current Mexican border rules for drivers, and I only have my drivers license, registration and proof of Mexican insurance.

They will ask for DL and registration. It's best if the name on your DL matches your registration. I have never, ever, had them ask for proof of insurance, except when a bus rear-ended me. They have never asked for a passport or an FMM.

The laws have changed recently. Now the cops are authorized in many instances to demand payment immediately (as opposed to writing a ticket that nobody will ever pay), but they are supposed to take it via credit card using their portable terminals. If you can't pay they may demand you go to the "courthouse" immediately or they can, in some cases, impound your car. Tinted windows, for instance, are one example. The cop can fine you on the spot, or you can remove the tint on the spot, or they will impound your car. Having said that, all my cars have the backlight and rear side windows tinted and I've never been given grief during any of my traffic stops.

[Sol12]

Does anyone know if I am required to have a passport if LEO stops my car? Or if a Global Entry card and California Driver's license will do? I am not updated on current Mexican border rules for drivers, and I only have my drivers license, registration and proof of Mexican insurance.

In the past when I have been stopped by the police in Mexico I would just give them my Drivers license since I didn't drive around with my passport everyday. I never had them ask for anything more. If they gave me a ticket they would keep the DL until I paid the ticket. Now this is awhile back but would doubt much has changed.

[Dcrist0527]

Travv,

I respect your info and opinions. But I think your recent posts overstate the danger. I'm not denying your stories; they include highly credible links. But I can find similar stories in US cities. Reality is dozens or hundreds of mongers cross every day without incident. And those mongers would be fools not to follow basic caution.

My rule of thumb: assume someone is looking for an opportunity to take advantage of someone at all times. So I put effort in to not be the easiest target. Simple, basic steps will keep you safe from all but random acts. No doubt, Tijuana is a dangerous place. But primarily for inter-cartel violence. If we remove that type of violence from the equation, Tijuana is no more dangerous than many big US cities.

From the latest info on Borderlands Beat, there is good news and bad news for you. If the Mexican National Guard cops driving white vehicles in Tijuana pull you over, the good news is they are probably not going to be interested in your passport or California driver's license or insurance info. But the bad news is that you had better be able to come up with $200,000 pesos and a new van in order to pay your ransom to get out of their dungeon. . . According to the news article, the Mexican National Guard were apparently in uniform, using their worktime and official vehicles to look for kidnapping victims on the roads. . . Suggest not driving Cadillac Escalades or other expensive vehicles (like Vans) where the National Guard cops can see them. . . Like I told one Mexican dude when I was eating at Hotel Caesar a few years ago. Mexico since the days of Presidente Diaz has made it very easy for everyone to identify criminals on sight so you know to avoid them. The government puts the criminals in vehicles with flashing red lights and wearing police uniforms! Avoid! LOL.

[Captain Solo]

Are the new National Guards AMLO's new organization combining civilian volunteers, policias and Army soldiers?

If Travv is so scared, why do I see him every time I am in La Zona?

Perhaps Travv needs an introduction to the National Guard Commandante so he can pay for his new life insurance policy?

Do what Travv does, not what Travv says.

[Travv]

From the latest info on Borderlands Beat, there is good news and bad news for you. If the Mexican National Guard cops driving white vehicles in Tijuana pull you over, the good news is they are probably not going to be interested in your passport or California driver's license or insurance info. But the bad news is that you had better be able to come up with $200,000 pesos and a new van in order to pay your ransom to get out of their dungeon. . . According to the news article, the Mexican National Guard were apparently in uniform, using their worktime and official vehicles to look for kidnapping victims on the roads. . . Suggest not driving Cadillac Escalades or other expensive vehicles (like Vans) where the National Guard cops can see them. . . Like I told one Mexican dude when I was eating at Hotel Caesar a few years ago. Mexico since the days of Presidente Diaz has made it very easy for everyone to identify criminals on sight so you know to avoid them. The government puts the criminals in vehicles with flashing red lights and wearing police uniforms! Avoid! LOL.

Does anyone know if I am required to have a passport if LEO stops my car? Or if a Global Entry card and California Driver's license will do? I am not updated on current Mexican border rules for drivers, and I only have my drivers license, registration and proof of Mexican insurance.

[Jackie888]

Does anyone know if I am required to have a passport if LEO stops my car? Or if a Global Entry card and California Driver's license will do? I am not updated on current Mexican border rules for drivers, and I only have my drivers license, registration and proof of Mexican insurance.

[Travv]

Borderlandbeat By HEARST 7/08/2021 06:21:00 PM 50 comments.

" . . . Four members of the National Guard were caught participating in the kidnapping and ransom of a young man who was traveling on a highway. When the Specialized Unit to Combat Kidnapping (UECS) closed in on them, the National Guard members opened fire and shoot outs ensued.

. . Allegedly involved in his kidnapping was at least two members of the National Guard who regularly used their official patrols in the area as time to commit highway kidnappings. The kidnapping victim and his vehicle were taken to a safehouse in the El Manantial Etla subdivision of the town of San Pablo Etla.

Relatives of the victim were contacted via telephone by the kidnappers who demanded they pay them 200 thousand pesos and give them a new luxury van in exchange for them freeing the victim. The kidnappers explicitly stated that they would kill the victim and send his body to his relatives if they did not comply with their demands. The victim's relatives contacted the State Attorney General's Office (FGJEO) and the Specialized Unit to Combat Kidnapping (UECS) requesting their help. The agencies agreed and took over the investigation into the victim's kidnapping.

. . Meanwhile, at the site of the ransom collection near Villa Elta, when the National Guard members spotted the UECS (State Police) agents rather than a ransom delivery a shootout ensued. . . "

http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2021/0...in-act-of.html