Avoiding Federales

[Shikha]

MJ, you can definitely stay out late though the chances of incidents increase with the setting of the moon ! As lot of experience mongers advise, be polite and firm in such situations. Now if you do those things of disorderly conduct, pissing on road, walking with beer bottle etc, thats inviting trouble. The later you stay the more careful and aware you have to be. Recognize that just becuse its Mexico you cant get away with everything.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Well, on one occasion I was a bit disorderly, but the others, I was OK, which is what puzzles me. Anyway, I think the best advice is to go with buddies, don't stay out too late, don't go to the ATM, and don't get into a fight. Then I guess you would be OK. But I kinda like partying until daylight sometimes.

 

[ilovemybestfriends]

I don't go to TJ much anymore, but I did way back when and probably had a half dozen encounters with the cops. Virtually every time, my behavior contributed to my problems from either carrying around a beer, pissing on a wall, driving recklessly, getting in a fight, etc. I never once went to jail but I often paid them off ($10 - $20).

What I learned help is to be respectful, if they sense that you are an arrogant gringo, they will come down hard on you. Apologize profusely for your offense, don't start arguing with them, just speak calmly with them, maybe joke a little, mention what a great country Mexico is, etc. If they mention jail, ask them if they can pay the judge for you. That's a face saving way of handling it. Don't bring up the bribe, wait for them to bring it up.

All that being said, some of them are the scum of the earth, so be careful.

One other thing, if a fight breaks out, get the hell away from the area. The cops will simply arrest every gringo in sight and they might beat up on you a bit. If you can't get away, give $20 to the bar workers to let you hide in the back.

 

[Madam Genius]

I have been going to tj for the last 12 years and I have
never been arrested. I never stay past 1am. I have
been searched in the zone. I have noticed the cops
are searching more people. I still believe it is safe and
as long as you are not completely wasted and not
carrying anything illegal you will be OK.

 

[Tipsy32]

Very true, Mexicalli is much cheaper and safer...but IMO, the fun quotient is not the same as TJ. Mexicalli is a different environment. I've spent lot's of time there walking around at all times of the night and have never felt unsafe. I would never do that in TJ. Mexicalli is not the party town that TJ is.

 

[27PurpleRoses]

I think in this case Federales was used as a generic term for Mexican authority, but I agree it is most likely the TJPD that you have run afoul of. I personally relax a bit when I see Mexican soldiers or Federal police, they are much less likely to mess with tourists than the local cops.

If you have had bribes extorted it may or may not be your fault, all the advice about keeping out of trouble is valid, to that I would add some tips on how to behave when you are stopped. I think the most important thing is to remain calm, don't get scared or argumentative. Bear in mind that they may just be doing their jobs, trying to find bad guys or looking for drugs. If they are sniffing for a bribe they really aren't going to want to mess with you all night or throw you in jail.

Out of hundreds of trips to Tijuana I've been stopped and searched on foot six times and four times in my vehicle. I've never had to give them a cent when stopped on foot and twice have opted for a $20 bribe to get out of a ticket. In most cases the police have been polite and I have never been threatened.

Be calm, polite and firm. If they think you are scared they will crank it up. BTW the last time I was stopped was last week in a very bad area, outside the Zona, I thought I'd finally ran out of luck as I'd heard stories about cops terrorizing gringos who ventured out there. The cops joked with me, searched me and let me go.

I don't agree that the cops will only mess with you if you are looking for trouble, sometimes you just get the wrong cop, I do believe they are mostly corrupt, but this can cut both ways. Try handing a cop in southern California a twenty dollar bill to forget about running a stop sign.

 

[Morgaine]

I really doubt there is a guy on the boards who has had problems with the Federales. The Policia Preventiva (TJ cops) are a different story.

CJ posted some good advice. My experience is (other than at the SENTRI drop off) you don't have trouble with the cops in TJ unless you go looking for it. My experience is getting drunk and partying hardy will get you in trouble anywhere in the world.

 

[Caribou Lou]

Good questions.

Everyone who is familiar with mongering in the Zona should already be aware that sooner or later your number will come up and you will have a confrontation. In your case, look forward to number 4.

The cops KNOW that they can intimidate the average gringo monger. The average gringo monger needs to tool up for the encounter.

Some things that don't help you:

1. Be an asshole.
2. Lie
3. Have illegal substances on your person or people.
4. Drunk in public (falling down-out of control type).
5. Commit a crime, like hit a girl, refuse to pay for service delivered etc.
6. Don't have valid ID.
7. Be in the company of a known drug dealer (intentionally or otherwise)
8. Being in an area that is outside the Zona, where a monger should not go.

The list is actually a long one, but I'll stop here.

If you're in the Zona Proper, with a trusted wingman or even your whore, got your drivers license and are not wanted for mis-behaving, are in control of your faculties, not carrying drugs or open containers in public, and are polite but firm without lying you should be fine.

Country John aka Sport Fuckerman on Chois board

 

[walksideways]

What makes you think you money will be safe in your hotel room?

Answer these questions:
1) Are you drunk on the street?
2) Are you out of control?
3) Are you on the street beyond resonable hours (like 4 am)

All these factors make you look like an easy target. Travel with a buddy who will carry the secret that you even went to Mexico to the grave. The cops will find an easier target.

 

[Sarah]

go to Mexicalli, much safer no hassel form the cops and lots cheaper...

 

[_Justified_]

Hello all,

Well, I visited TJ about 8 times a couple of years ago. I went every other weekend for a few months. In that time I got "arrested" 3 times by TJ's "finest". (My crime was obviously being on the street while white). It was very uncomfortable and a bit scary. All they ever got off of me was what was in my pocket and shoes, though.

Anyway, I really, really, want to go back to TJ for a week or two. I want to stay in a hotel there and party until the wee hours. But I am so afraid of the freakin' police.

Can anyone give me some advice on how I can go there for a visit and NOT get arrested? Does anyone know any tricks? Or at least how can I get out of losing too much money?
I thought I would keep my money in the hotel room an go back every couple of hours to get more. I can just do without their shit.

Any comments will be appreciated.
thanks