Tecate Police

[spacomponents]

we decided to go to San Felipe last New Years and drove through the border crossing at Tecate. Hung a right on the first main street, and were pulled over within 3 minutes of entering Tecate. We were driving our 33 ft. motorhome.

he started the usual game, said I had blown thru a stop sign, which was not true, asked if we had been wearing our seatbelts, which are only lap belts. said I needed to follow him to go pay a fine. asked for my cell phone, took it and asked if it was a good one. I acted cooperative, but that I clearly knew this was a game. I made no offer to pay him, just said I'd follow him. then, abruptly, he said for us to leave Tecate. said his reason was that Tecate streets could not handle something the size of a motorhome. :cool:

[triptrop]

Wow! I have heard a lot of stories similar to this. It kinda makes you wonder how the police down there think that they can get away with this kind of stuff.

[Ken Bell]

Things are getting better, but they got away with it because so many tourists played their game. Why stop a profitable enterprise?

Fortunately, the original poster knew what to do and how to handle the situation. He politely called their bluff.

In most border towns in Baja, you can always request to plead your position to a judge...and they have to have one available to you. It works!

Also, you can now request a "tourist courtesy ticket" which allows you to mail your fine back from the US. Amazing, huh?

These days, in the Tijuana/Rosarito area the local police are accompanied by either state or federal police. Voila! No more mordita!

The new mayor of Rosarito has pledged to organize a formal police academy to actually train their cops, and double their pay from $700 to $1,500 per month based on performance and training incentives. A very positive move. The mayor owns the Rosarito Beach Hotel and is dead serious about providing a safe environment for tourists. It was his campaign platform, and he was overwhelmingly elected. No wonder...70% of the income in RB comes from tourism!

Not perfection...but things are improving everyday!

[david]

What will it lead to for being involved in an accident in mexico, will lead to any serious problems?
________
Babimac (http://twitter.com/SwiperboyzBabiM)

[timestamp]

it depends on the accident you were involved, if its a minor one there won't be any problem. If its serious vehicles are seized until the fault is determined.
In some cases, these services are undertaken by the insurance agency if they provide any facility.
________
CBR400 (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_CBR400)

[Cipjop]

So I was walking down the road from my local supermarket, when a police car pulled over and 2 coppers got out and stopped me in the street, for absolutely nothing, and asked to see some I.D, I showed them my Gaijin Card and he asked me what my job was, what my wifes job was, and where I lived... what the hell is going on? after I asked if there was a problem he said no, but asked me where I was from then just said buy and left.

Does this happen often? why do they do it?

[Ali]

asked for my cell phone, took it and asked if it was a good one

This is a very troubling story... Did the police officer return the cell phone or did he keep it??

[Chilean]

a little confusing finishing. I don't know why would he want to play games with you. Maybe it was really a big legal issue for him and he had to take some action.

[tuvw979]

I hope you're enjoying your staying here.

[Raggaipalo]

When you travel, what do you bring with you to enjoy travel more?

[kate5]

In Mexico there are lot of crooked cops.. but they are greedy!

[mandywilliams]

It kinda makes you wonder how the police down there think that they can get away with this kind of stuff. Kinda confusing!

[Kesha0]

When you travel, what do you bring with you to enjoy travel more?

my camera to take picture and capture moments.. ;)

[cobliecallicat]

we decided to go to San Felipe last New Years and drove through the border crossing at Tecate. Hung a right on the first main street, and were pulled over within 3 minutes of entering Tecate. We were driving our 33 ft. motorhome.

he started the usual game, said I had blown thru a stop sign, which was not true, asked if we had been wearing our seatbelts, which are only lap belts. said I needed to follow him to go pay a fine. asked for my cell phone, took it and asked if it was a good one. I acted cooperative, but that I clearly knew this was a game. I made no offer to pay him, just said I'd follow him. then, abruptly, he said for us to leave Tecate. said his reason was that Tecate streets could not handle something the size of a motorhome. :cool:

Your story make me think of one aphorism, it is said "The measure of a man is what he does with power."

[Dave101]

yeah, depends if he handle his power properly.

[James cuck]

New to all of this thank you for the info!