Sentry Shakdown 8/25 12:45 am

[Roger Dodger]

Mexico isn’t the US, Thailand, England, etc. What happens in other counties isn’t a guide to what happens in Mexico.

]
Why do you often compare it with the US ? haha

 

[<3 grace <3]

O K fact time- US State Dept site will give you the huge number of missing Americans in Mexico-MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY. I dont accept it- I am not happy about it If omio wants to sit up in Monterry and talk about the frontier scene...fine, but no one asked biased advice. The 2 girls missing in Nuevo Lorado are latinas!

 

[Tim O]

Amigomio wrote;

Amigomio very well said. Because once the TJ cops have you alone especially in the back of the cop car, most people will just pay then anything they want, especially the sex tourist who don't live in Mexico. However, there is a lot of brave talk around these boards, but the reality of it is mongers when alone away from prostitutes sites, will give up the ' mordida' ( bribe) as fast as a young virgin on her first prom date, and really there is no shame of doing that, hopefully all you can ask mongers visiting TJ to do is don't give them too much money if they want $100 maybe you get get them to settle for $40 dollars.

I also find it comical that the so-called advocates of 'take a hard stand against the TJ police' have been people who have had their wallets brutalized by the police the most, and some even still ended up in jail! Maybe they speak from experience? But if you ask me, if you follow the advice of some of these guys, you could end up just like them?

According to the Mexican constitution the police could hold you for 48 hours without charging you for a crime, very similar to the US, maybe that's not practice as TJ police usually bring you before a judge, but according to the law they have every right to throw you in jail, before seeing the judge for at least 48 hours, so just having that information in back of the mind will cause people to pay the bribe.

Burt is right nothing will get done until more people complain about it, however, sadly no matter what we see written in these threads, nothing will change, as I can't even recall where one person wrote about their complaint and the finally successful outcome, and I'm not talking about the bullshit stories either. However, will always have people come to these forums and vent their frustrations but after a few days they forget all about it, and never file a complaint, and really I don't blame them, as I doubt anything would get done, it's just like complaining against the US cops.

But I wouldn't worry about the TJ cops, unusually the biggest concern is getting searched and questioned by the cops, as they will let you go unless your drunk or carrying sometime illegal.

 

[Dayrena]

Amigo- I dont need your invatation or permission where to go, or spend my money. I am breaking no laws were I go. In my passport it says I have the permission to travel freely in this country. You should lose the attitude that you are some kind of gatekeeper-comprende?

 

[cheshirekat260]

Ok... you want my life experience as a Mexican with Mexican cops.
I don't back away from them.
I just tell them "take me to the judge cause I am not dealing with you at all".

Diference is I live in a nice quite big city that respects the citizens and the tourists.
Sorry about you, but if you don't want to be hasseled by TJs finest... just stop coming over.
If coming over to TJ is your drug, well, you'll just have to take it like a man and stop complaining.

But getting a lawyer is a smart move.
I support your idea.


PS: My England post was just to point out that there are countries that have legal ways to hassel their citizens...

 

[Nana B]

Mexico isn’t the US, Thailand, England, etc. What happens in other counties isn’t a guide to what happens in Mexico.

IMHO people who try to predict what Mexican cops will do base on what happens in other countries do so because they lack real knowledge of or experience with Mexico. My posts are based on the “life experiences” that I’ve acquired by visiting and living in Tijuana—it includes first hand experience that I and those I know have had with Tj’s cops.

 

[tlk2ul8r]

Excuse me... again, have you ever read or seen England police operate?
They don't need warrants, they don't need to catch you red handed, they can detain you without charging you if they want to.
They can put you in a jail and leave you incomunicado, they can deny bail, they can remain silent when asked in how much time will the suspect be freed.
Just look at what they did last year (more or less) with the bombings at London, in the aftermath, they shot and killed a Portuguese citizen because he was running away from police in a suspicious way.
The guy was totally inocent and they didn't do a thing to the policemen that shot him.
They claimed it was done under the terrorist law of Great Britain.

 

[PRELUDE]

1ho-nos...the sad thing is until tourstis get serious about stoping police abuse in Mexico it will continue. I've had some encounters with the cops. I've not afraid to stand up to them--so far so good. Time will tell if as you say I'm "too wise for my own good."

 

[HelloMyNameIsJake]

A non moving piss test or a mordida you wont experiance in AMSTERDAM- A-dam for ever!

 

[xjaninee(:]

Ok...I have studied each country individually by going around the World 10X My understanding of Mexican laws is Cops enter private property ie ;bars and seach at will- as well as public places- I have seen this and experieced it myself- so it doesnt matter what the LAW is this is the reality and the practice. I would take the abregado's number to carry in case. Burt I consider you one of the wisest persons on here ( is it possible you have become too wise) You overlook one basic fact: I have way too much to lose to argue with people that have guns- when I dont have one

 

[Kayla V]

Sounds similar to what US cops can do if they think you are intoxicated in public. Or driving under the influence.

When you stop and compare what the cops can do in the US to what cops can do in other countries it is often very similar. Many people in the US like to think they have more rights than is actually the case.

I just PMed you the name of a good Mexican attorney. Let me know if you don't get it.

 

[borderbethie]

Burt- I totally disagree- generally the mordida victims may be drunk, speeding,driving while white, but I am talkng about an innocent victim and basic human rights! With all respect- dont be fake- I will take the name and # you offered- because I am not fake about the problem. I have done quite a bit of reading on the search issue: I think you might be surprised about the extent of police powers in Mexico. In Thailand they can demand a piss test for meth in a bar if you are suspect!

 

[Gerrymander]

Yes. But it takes works. After all you are changing a culture.

When the drug dealers started shooting people in the streets and colonias of Tijuana the people asked the Mexican Federal gov't to act. They did. They took away their guns and gave them sling shot. Yes, the cops now have guns again. But people aren't getting shot in the street as before.

Do you remember the saga of Warren Cox? (I think it was on this board as well as the "other board.") He got shaken down by the cops and reported it to Sindicatura. The cops were punished as a result.

The problem is that few tourist strand up to the cops. Most just pay a bribe or do nothing following a shakedown. Until that changes the cop's behavior won't change.

 

[Rachael E]

Thailand is currently under martial law- and the police are probably less feared than MeXiCaN CoPs! What does that tell you- can the people of TJ or us visitors do anything about the horrible behavior of TJ Police, and its effect on relations? Believe me the visiting tourist that have bad experiences are spreading the word Norte. I do not go at night anymore, or drink, or give money to campisino's, whats next elemination of all fun? I will then go to San Jose, CR where it is almost PIG FREE and No Military, buena suerte, pura vida-

 

[Kenny K]

Soem of the above contains a lot of half truths and urban myth. Frankly, it reminds me of guys who “know” there are donkey shows in Tijuana.

If you haven't consulted a Mexican attorney about your rights then you should. While Mexican law is based on Napoleonic Law (which is based on Roman Law) that doesn’t mean you don’t have rights. The Mexican constitution and Mexican law gives people a lot of rights, many similar to those in the US.

If you don’t know any good Mexican attorneys I will be happy to provide some names. One whose opinion I highly respect was a Mexican federal prosecutor in DF who now has a private practice in Tijuana.

The cops can’t simply throw somebody in jail. They have to take you before a judge where you are formally charged with a crime. If the judge thinks the charge has merit he issues an order to incarcerate you. So, contrary to urban myth, the cops can’t just throw you in jail.

(In the U.S. an arrenment hearing is held within 72 hours after an arrest. In Mexico it must be held before incarceration. In Tijuana, judges are on duty 24/7 for this purpose.)

Legally the cops also need probable cause to stop and search a person. Mexican laws regarding search warrants are very similar to those in the US.

One of the reason many tourist have problems with the cops is because the cops know tourists are ignorant regarding their rights. They get scared, probably because of things like what is posted above. The cops know that—and use it to turn a profit.

I haven’t had many encounters with the cops. But I’ve had enough to know that once the cops understand you are truly informed about your rights their conduct changes drastically. Someday perhaps I’ll post in detail about a couple of experiences I’ve had. Suffice it to say that I’ve seen the Mexican legal system “up close and in person.” I also saw that when “push comes to shove” rights under Mexican law mean something.


I fully agree with this.

 

[Laurent]

I think you'd find a 2 tiered pricing system in most foreign countries. Thailand has it too, but the police there don't shake down the tourist, unless you are causing trouble.

 

[Emzzy]

The big difference in those cuntries is L.E. is not race based. The US takes a lot of pride in fairness. The shake the GRINGO$ mentality that pervades Latin America especialy the border towns is FOUL! Will they kill the Golden Goose? Make sure your companion girls know " THE REASON THE TOURIST ARE NOT COMMING TO TJ IS THE POLICE" . The 2 tier pricng in Latin America for food/ gifts/hotels/girls/police bribes ect is evidence that we are not= equal. I can find many women in the US that will treat me like a ATM with a dick!

 

[Shay P]

It's not brilliant, it is true.
As a matter of fact, most of the world criminal law works that way: England (specially England where they can arrest and detain you with no specified charges), Spain, Germany, Italy...

 

[Annabelle]

Brilliant interpretation of the law...guilty until proven innocent. Remember we are guest in their WHORE HOUSE! Never ask a cop a question- step out of the officina in the hotel if they come in for a bribe ect. Step out of their way on the side walks-ect... By the way to the groups of u.s. bronco's who travel in packs- and clog the clubs with loud, rude, an stupid behavior- LA:GO HOME...

 

[missjaimy]

Mexico operaterates, as does several other latin countries on the French system of law. That is you are guilty till proven innocent. Where in the United States and most of the former British colonies operate on innocent till proven guilty. All some has to do is say you did something and you can find your self in a Mexican Prison. A lot of Americans think when they are traveling in Mexico that they have the same constitutinal rights as they do in America but don't full yourself. The Current law in Baja California states that they can lock you away until they have completed your investigation of crime. This can take months.
My advise is simple. Remember yo are not in the United States or canada. Keep a low profile. If you are going to get drunk, don't hang out in public. And the best of all be on your best behavior. Most Police storys that I have seen where the person was harrased by the cops, The person was intoxicated, They were making an ass of themseves in public, and they were being disrespectful towards the locals. Remember all the police need is to have ab alligation to arrest you.