Caution tourists, Mexican police not above extortion
A few tips on how to protect yourself when south of the border.
By Catharine Hamm, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 12, 2007
Question: On a recent crossing from Mexico back to the U.S., I was stopped
for an
alleged traffic infraction in Tijuana. The police ended up taking me to an
ATM, where
I withdrew $500 in cash. Then they then let me go. What could I have done?
--Rob Gonzalez, Claremont
Answer: The letters we receive often deal with broken promises (by
airlines, hotels
and other travel providers), bad treatment (by airlines, hotels and other
travel
providers) and unruly behavior (by everybody).
But this goes way beyond unruly. It is maddening at best and frightening
at worst.
At least it was when it happened to me about three years ago. My travel
mate and I
got stopped for "impeding traffic." We were lucky this was the only
charge. Others
have re****ted being falsely accused of drinking or having drugs. We got
off for a
mere $40 donation to the "Tijuana Policemen's Fund."
Alas, this is one of the dirty little secrets of travel. Extortion of
tourists
happens more often than is re****ted. It's not confined to Mexico, of
course, but
because so many of us cross the border so often, whether to enjoy Baja's
beaches or
to shop, we may get our turn on the horns of this dilemma.
And some people worry that new Mexican traffic laws, which went into
effect this
summer and allow drivers to be cited for, among other things, not wearing
seat belts,
for talking on cellphones or for having windows tinted too darkly, may
increase your
chances of a fraudulent ticket. The new laws, they think, are just another
vehicle
for officers to supplement their incomes.
The problem is so prevalent in Mexico that the State Department's consular
information sheet acknowledges it: "In some instances, Americans have
become victims
of harassment, mistreatment and extortion by Mexican law enforcement and
other
officials. . . . In some cases, assailants have been wearing full or
partial police
uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles, indicating
some
elements of the police might be involved. . . . Tourists should be wary of
persons
representing themselves as police officers or other officials. When in
doubt, ask for
identification."
So how do you protect yourself if you get stopped for an "infraction"?
"Try to get the name and badge number and specifics" about the officer,
said Michele
Bond, deputy assistant secretary for Overseas Citizen Services. (This
might also be a
new use for the camera on your cellphone.) The traveler also should ask
for a copy of
the citation, she said.
You also can offer to accompany the officer to the police station to
settle the
matter. This is said to discourage a phony citation.
If you're in a hurry you may be tempted to offer a "donation" to the
"Policemen's
Fund."
Before you do, remember that trying to bribe an officer is a crime, so you
may want
to reconsider trying to buy your way out of trouble. That's one purchase
it may not
pay to make south of the border.
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