General Reports

[Zenduka1]

I wasn't even in the Zona Norte. I was waiting for a Uber outside a nice shopping area. The local police stopped me to ask if I had been drinking. I had been but I was not drunk. Then they told me that I was drunk in public and that I had to pay a $150 fine. I responded that I didn't have $150 so the asked what I had. I pulled $40 from my pocket. They had me put it in the truck door and let me go. All the while my uber was waiting to take me to my hotel. Lesson learned. Don't wait outside for your Uber in Tijuana.

Your mistake was not waiting outside for uber. Your mistake was being in Tijuana while Gringo. The solution may not be what you advised.

[Zenduka1]

If you don't turn out to be easy prey, they may reconsider.

Sensible advise. Thumbs up!

[HK Monger]

I wasn't even in the Zona Norte. I was waiting for a Uber outside a nice shopping area. The local police stopped me to ask if I had been drinking. I had been but I was not drunk. Then they told me that I was drunk in public and that I had to pay a $150 fine. I responded that I didn't have $150 so the asked what I had. I pulled $40 from my pocket. They had me put it in the truck door and let me go. All the while my uber was waiting to take me to my hotel. Lesson learned. Don't wait outside for your Uber in Tijuana.

Had to comment on this one. As a person who has been stopped by the police many, many times, let me give some advice to people, in general, facing these types of situations. The police are usually relying on your ignorance of the law, or your fear of being hassled by the authorities, to take money from you. Even if you are nervous to be in this situation, you should try to stand your ground a little. If you put up a little resistance, it goes a long way. I'm talking about respectful resistance, of course. Not something that it going to get you in more trouble. When the police say, you did this or that and there is a fine for it, I often offer, "I know the law and I don't feel I did anything wrong. " If they say, we need to go to the "station", I say, "well, OK because I still feel I haven't done anything wrong. " Nine times out of ten this will be sufficient to make them back down, though sometimes they will mutter curses at you as they drive off, LOL!

Now, if you actually did do something wrong, you may not have much ground to stand on. Though, even in that case a little resistance helps because, often times, the police are more interested (for some petty offense) in getting a quick bribe then in actually enforcing the law. In the case mentioned above, with such an obvious bogus charge, it is imperative that you stand your ground.

If they are really persistent, It may come down to you paying their little "morditas". But again, you try to pay as llittle as possible. Start with, "I have like $15-$20 bucks, is that sufficient?" They will probably take that and be on their way. In addition, I always advise carrying as little cash on your person as possible. Usually, any cash in excess of about $25, I keep in the sock of my shoe. It is very unlikely that they will look there.

You see, the police are taking a gamble when they do this. If they are caught doing it, there may be repercussions. That's why they want the transfer of funds to be as discrete as possible–in case they are being watched or recorded. They are looking for easy prey, which is you, "the gringo". If you don't turn out to be easy prey, they may reconsider.

[Baxter Slade]

Can someone please tell me if they are still selling / issuing 6 month FMM's for multi entry( Unintended use ) at the border? Or would somebody visiting from SD on a daily basis have to get a new card everyday? I want to perhaps do this for two weeks coming up soon.

Is the area outside the Jack in The Box parking lot still an Uber drop / pick up place ? There was a little roundabout there by the buses. Still OK ?

I assume traffic has gotten worse in Tijuana and Blvd Aguas Caliente from Downtown to Galerias / Hipodromo would be a nightmare at least twice a day in a taxi?

Police still acting uppity?

Thanks.

Welcome back amigo.

While I would buy it before I no longer see the value even as a frequent visitor. An improvement while entering through the line to get your 7 day FMM is they just scan your card now. A real time saver as they hand out the FMM without you having to fill out anything. With this new system I think the longest I have had to wait is 5 or 10 minutes. But I'm sure that relates to the time of day you are entering. Probably worse on a Friday early evening or Saturday morning. Also pedwest is open during certain hours and I have heard its a bit less hectic at that entry.

As far as traffic yes zona rio and centro can be pretty bad. Aqua caliente a bet better since they got rid of a bunch of the ruta vans. The first thing you might notice after entry is they are building an elevated highway that I think is going to run from playas out towards the airport area. A big project for Tijuana, maybe that will help with the traffic that passes through centro / zona rio.

As far as the police same old same old. While last December was a real nightmare this year has been smooth sailing. Maybe related to a recent incident with a local activist named rambo. He was recently able to get video of being robbed by the police at one of those makeshift holiday checkpoints. He got the media attention and went to the city attorney to complain. Officers suspended for now. Maybe a new administration may help. But still boils down to shakedowns occur all the time. So wrong time wrong place and its your turn.

[Guardman]

I wasn't even in the Zona Norte. I was waiting for a Uber outside a nice shopping area. The local police stopped me to ask if I had been drinking. I had been but I was not drunk. Then they told me that I was drunk in public and that I had to pay a $150 fine. I responded that I didn't have $150 so the asked what I had. I pulled $40 from my pocket. They had me put it in the truck door and let me go. All the while my uber was waiting to take me to my hotel. Lesson learned. Don't wait outside for your Uber in Tijuana.

[Artisttyp]

Can someone please tell me if they are still selling / issuing 6 month FMM's for multi entry( Unintended use ) at the border? Or would somebody visiting from SD on a daily basis have to get a new card everyday? I want to perhaps do this for two weeks coming up soon.

Is the area outside the Jack in The Box parking lot still an Uber drop / pick up place ? There was a little roundabout there by the buses. Still OK ?

I assume traffic has gotten worse in Tijuana and Blvd Aguas Caliente from Downtown to Galerias / Hipodromo would be a nightmare at least twice a day in a taxi?

Police still acting uppity?

Thanks.

[Zenduka1]

I haven't been to Tijuana in about 3-4 years. In the past, I used to stay at the Marriott as I've always had status with them and points to burn. In the past, they were mostly friendly to the hobby. Occasionally, a companion I had for TLN would be asked for ID, but it was rare.

I'm heading back next week for several days. I see they've done renovations. I'm assuming it's only gotten better. Has anyone stayed here recently? Is it still a decent hotel to host company at?

I never stayed there. However, once a buddy and I were walking past and decided to call uber at the Hotel and wait for it there. We got in the lobby and explained we will just be waiting for uber. The bar tender brought us some crackers and glasses of water and said since it was hot he thought the cold water would help us cool down. We did not ask him. That was a nice. No Hotel does this in the US. The lobby probably call security to put a camera on you.

[AnEaglesFan]

I haven't been to Tijuana in about 3-4 years. In the past, I used to stay at the Marriott as I've always had status with them and points to burn. In the past, they were mostly friendly to the hobby. Occasionally, a companion I had for TLN would be asked for ID, but it was rare.

I'm heading back next week for several days. I see they've done renovations. I'm assuming it's only gotten better. Has anyone stayed here recently? Is it still a decent hotel to host company at?

[Sol12]

There are many on these threads that pretend to know more than they do or are flat out imposters. Baxter is not one of those. He's forgotten more about Tijuana than I know. I'm not saying I know whether the rumor he's heard is true, but if he shares an experience it's because he's lived it so pay attention.

Not sure who is saying that Bax is an imposter. I also don't doubt his stories unlike others here who seem to only want to put down Tijuana or tell crazy stories of being robbed by the police with no details.

[Sol12]

One more little debate. I have often heard this rumor that as a sort of Christmas bonus police from throughout baja California are sent to Tijuana during the holiday season. I guess that might explain the increas in shakedows this time of year.

So now the city is able to kill 2 birds with one stone they are able to deploy more police in a large border city due to the increase in crime around the holiday's. And the cops being sent to Tijuana are finding a better oppurtunity to line there pockets. And now we have a reason why that myth of increased shakedowns during the holiday season could be very true.

For a guy who has been going to Tijuana for many years and even walking back and forth drunk from those 3rd tier bars up on 1st st in the wee hours. I have had very few problems. BUT last December was brutal. A real comedy. I can't really post details on the open forum but if interested I could PM. While I don't believe in Santa I do believe in more police shakedowns this time of year.

That old commercial is what this reminds me of. LOL.

Well that rumor about other BC cops being rewarded and brought to Tijuana to make extra money I've never heard of. I would be interested in hearing where or who said this. For one the only cities in BC that have much of a police force would be Mexicali and Ensenada. I'm sure if cops wanted to go after people for money it would be just as easy for them to stay in those cities and also those cities would need the police for the security of those cities. So I don't see the local government letting them leave. Most of the rest of BC is desolate and very small police force. I've had the pleasure to drive the highway of the whole state and have seen these cities.

Also put yourself in the shoes of the local police. So they supposedly have free reign during Christmas to steal at will but now these out of town cops can come in and take what they have no right to. I don't see that happening.

So I remember you discussing a robbery you had by the police last year but if you had many years with no issues why do you suddenly believe this urban myth just because of one bad experience. I wouldn't be surprised that the same thing happens to people anytime if the year. Yet if it happens on Christmas time to you is just bad luck. Again the police in Tijuana try to get money all year long and they have no special deal to steal this time of year. Especially when the rumor is that they do it so they can buy Christmas gifts. Well pretty much all employees get a Christmas bonus and that is designed to help pay for making the Christmas season easier on society. In fact one of the funny things they did last year when they were announcing the "Safe Christmas " in Tijuana the mayor was letting the public know that they could call the police to escort them to the bank if they were concerned about being robbed. I found it very funny because I doubt many citizens trusted the police to protect them. I don't remember the mayor doing the same thing this year.

Well I know I won't change your mind on this but maybe those that read this and are hesitant about going will come to their own conclusions on if visiting Tijuana is any more dangerous during Christmas time compared to the rest of the year.

I will conclude with my experience and why the original post from DM made me comment. I lived for many years in Tijuana and never noticed a difference in the police. It was always one of my favorite times to be there and I still try to visit during Christmas time to experience it.

I sincerely see the current administration trying very hard to change the image of the city and police. I had commented about two recent incidents the mayor quickly responded and put the officers on leave. He has also stated that all officers will have body cameras. The date wasn't announced but he said the money has been approved. He also wants the public to know that they need to report any of these instances. I know it's hard as tourists, since most are intimidated and just want to get out of the situation as fast as possible but it just makes things worse.

[LuvMexicanas]

One more little debate. I have often heard this rumor that as a sort of Christmas bonus police from throughout baja California are sent to Tijuana during the holiday season. I guess that might explain the increas in shakedows this time of year.

So now the city is able to kill 2 birds with one stone they are able to deploy more police in a large border city due to the increase in crime around the holiday's. And the cops being sent to Tijuana are finding a better oppurtunity to line there pockets. And now we have a reason why that myth of increased shakedowns during the holiday season could be very true.

For a guy who has been going to Tijuana for many years and even walking back and forth drunk from those 3rd tier bars up on 1st st in the wee hours. I have had very few problems. BUT last December was brutal. A real comedy. I can't really post details on the open forum but if interested I could PM. While I don't believe in Santa I do believe in more police shakedowns this time of year.

There are many on these threads that pretend to know more than they do or are flat out imposters. Baxter is not one of those. He's forgotten more about Tijuana than I know. I'm not saying I know whether the rumor he's heard is true, but if he shares an experience it's because he's lived it so pay attention.

[Baxter Slade]

One more little debate. I have often heard this rumor that as a sort of Christmas bonus police from throughout baja California are sent to Tijuana during the holiday season. I guess that might explain the increas in shakedows this time of year.

So now the city is able to kill 2 birds with one stone they are able to deploy more police in a large border city due to the increase in crime around the holiday's. And the cops being sent to Tijuana are finding a better oppurtunity to line there pockets. And now we have a reason why that myth of increased shakedowns during the holiday season could be very true.

For a guy who has been going to Tijuana for many years and even walking back and forth drunk from those 3rd tier bars up on 1st st in the wee hours. I have had very few problems. BUT last December was brutal. A real comedy. I can't really post details on the open forum but if interested I could PM. While I don't believe in Santa I do believe in more police shakedowns this time of year.

[FlapJacK]

Now if the purpose of all these stops was to clean up the streets all they would have to do is have someone in plain clothes order lunch on the Azul balcony. And before they could even place their order they would know who is selling the drugs and by the end of lunch they would have a good idea who is buying the drugs.

Very True. Yesterday afternoon I was there for lunch and was watching cars pull up and buy drugs from some chick wearing what looked like pajamas.

This has been going on for years. I even saw police and Mexican marines in the alley as this was going on.

[Dcrist0527]

All fair points, BS. However,

They know who is selling. We all know who is selling. However, going after the supplier is not something a beat officer or top bureaucrat has the stones for. Cartel control is not unique to the zona. But it's reality.

The other quibble I have with your argument: I do think it is fair to assume drug consumption and possession is higher in zona norte than other areas of the city. So targeting pedestrians in the zona does have some logic.

Now, are their intentions pure? I suspect yes and no. A good police officer knows an increase in the presence of drugs leads to increases in other issues. Are there good officers in Tijuana? Presumably, yes. Are there officers that see it as supplemental personal income? Yes. We can't paint all of them with the same brush for better or for worse. Personally, I've been stopped, searched and robbed by a scumbag officer. And I've been stopped, searched and released without any incident.

Just my two cents.

I might have to disagree with Sol on this one. Do you really believe the policia are trying to clean up the streets while hoping to find drugs on you when they are making these stops of single males in the north zone? Of course that's there excuse they use. I need to search you for drugas. As they search you in hopes of finding anything they claim to be illegal so they can extract a bribe. And if they don't find an excuse for a bribe the really crooked ones will just steal money right out of your pocket.

Now if the purpose of all these stops was to clean up the streets all they would have to do is have someone in plain clothes order lunch on the Azul balcony. And before they could even place their order they would know who is selling the drugs and by the end of lunch they would have a good idea who is buying the drugs.

[Sol12]

I might have to disagree with Sol on this one. Do you really believe the policia are trying to clean up the streets while hoping to find drugs on you when they are making these stops of single males in the north zone? Of course that's there excuse they use. I need to search you for drugas. As they search you in hopes of finding anything they claim to be illegal so they can extract a bribe. And if they don't find an excuse for a bribe the really crooked ones will just steal money right out of your pocket.

Now if the purpose of all these stops was to clean up the streets all they would have to do is have someone in plain clothes order lunch on the Azul balcony. And before they could even place their order they would know who is selling the drugs and by the end of lunch they would have a good idea who is buying the drugs.

Bad first thanks for being an intelligent individual that know me how to debate a person without just calling a person names and refusing to answer the questions that are asked if you.

So in my post I was trying to explain that IMO the Christmas bribe is not true. Cops will take the opportunity to stop single males coming or going from the ZN anytime of the year and they suddenly don't have permission from the city to go ahead and steal from "gringos" because it's Christmas and you need to get gifts.

So yes I would say the cops are stopping people coming or going from the ZN looking for drugs or weapons. My question to you is do you actually think the ZN doesn't have a large amount of tourists that are also in that area to get drugs because I've meet plenty of guys that are into drugs in ZN along with banging the girls.

Now my post you mentioned and this post I stated that my view was single guys coming and going to the ZN from Centro. Now I do everything in my power to stay out of the alley since it has nothing to offer be but the worst of society. The way the "tolerance zone" has always been explained to me was not only for prostitution but the police look the other way on the drug dealing and buying as long as those individuals stay in that area. When I look at the news I often see the police going into other parts of the city and arresting drug dealers and very seldom if ever the same thing happens in the ZN. So I still believe it's not a top priority to police in that area. Now of course I know they hope to catch some tourist with drugs to get a pay off because they know the tourist doesn't want to go to jail. So to me if your a tourist that is dumb enough to carry drugs you get what you deserve.

I personally have never been stopped by police in the ZN but I usually only walk from HK, to TB and CC. Now I have been stopped on the outskirts of the ZN as either coming or going but once I was driving and had been drinking and they let me go because they had another call. The other time I was walking to the ZN from Centro and they did a quick check and let me go. Oh and once I was asked by that fake cop guy in the alley while I was sitting in one of the alcoves while a former friend that mainly did SG was looking for someone. So if the cops wanted to steal or rob from me they easily could have but they haven't so I'm somewhat skeptical when I hear some of those stories here. I know you've had different experiences that I don't doubt but I also don't think it increases in December which was my original point.

As far as the increased police activity I mentioned they have plenty of articles in the news about it I will gladly post if you want. Also the city will often put out stats on how many individuals have been arrested and for the various crimes to show the public that they are doing something. And as far as the corruption goes if your a tourist think it's only tourists the police had two major issues recently of corrupt cops that were against Tijuana citizens just to prove that they don't only target tourists. Which again was what I was originally trying to explain and wasn't trying to say that the police don't take bribes.