Burt sees a judge over a yellow light ticket

[one shot]

I think the following is quite true, its more likely that one gets robbed/taken when getting self drunk. It could also be that the Chica and conniving mesero gets you drunk to make you an easy target for ficha fuck. Rarely they would rob you blind in the clubs as it is not in their interest.

 

[Kevin Colts 4-0 :D]

Sampson wrote:

No I wasn't mugged on Articulo 123 but I think I was robbed legally a few times? OUCH my wallet!! I was on vacation on a cruise in the Caribbean a family thing so no mongering. I had my lap top but my connection was slow, so I didn't use it. It's nice to also take a vacations from these sites.

On the way back on the plane I was watching this self defense thing on the history channel for hours where these guys would learn all the martial arts. What I liked best and would seem to work the best in TJ against these choke holds is 'Krav Magna' of Israel. It made me want to take a few lessons, because after reading these sites, you know you can never be too careful; but I don't know if they offer this type of training where I live, but I just loved how they got out of choke holds.

I'm sure spiking has taken place in Tijuana and a thieving mesero and Mexican sex provider could get together and rob you blind as you fall asleep upstairs after going up with her.
But I just think these warnings miss the big picture. It's like guarding your children against child molesters. Sure child molesters are out there, but the greatest danger is your child getting molested by somebody who is close to him, like an uncle or next door neighbor. Lets focus on the big picture and what has the largest perceneforum.xxxe of happening to you.

I think the chances are very low of you getting your drinks spiked. But from reading these sites... I'm even on guard against unopened beer, as I always watch them open it in front of me, as it's always in my head, but if they really wanted to spike it, they could spike it and put the top back on, and fake opening it in front of me. I just think you should trust your instincts about the people you are with, and you should be ok?

The danger I see is idiots from the US getting off the ass DRUNK!!!! They get so stinking drunk, that they make easy targets for rateros, chicas, or meseros to just take a few dollars off them....these are the kind of guys the cholos and muggers are looking for in the streets. So forget about getting so drink spiked, as 98% of the problems will start with you getting yourself drunk, and opening yourself up becoming an easy target to an opportunistic thief.

 

[David D]

While Tijuana isn't a cultural Meca, it does has some things/places I enjoy doing/seeing. Here’s my short list:

The Cultural Center near the border on Paseo de los Hereos is the flagship attraction in Tijuana. It has a very nice exhibit on the history of Tijuana. They also have rotating exhibits. (My favorite was a world tour of Rodan bronzes.) The OminMax theater is nice. Plus they hold some first rate concerts in the Cultural Center.

Downtown they recently opened a museum around 2nd and Constitution.

The Casa de Cultura in Altamira is another place that has plays, concerts and things of that nature. (I once knew a musician who performed there regularly. Sadly, she “moved on” by marrying a local and having kids.)

Tijuana has some very nice movie theaters. (Most films are in English with Spanish sub-titles.) My favorite is the VIP in Plaza Rio. Very plush seats and where else can you get sushi at a snack bar.

Mundo Divertido is sort of like Bullwinkles/Family Fun Center (whatever it’s called these days) in San Diego. They have arcade games, miniature golf, go carts, etc.

For that matter, most of the Peter Piper Pizza places have arcade games. There’s one on Sanchez Toboada and another in Marcos Plaza. The pizza is only “so-so”, but some chicas really enjoy playing arcade games.

Parque Moralazes is another place the go for “fun and games.” It’s off the Via Rapida.

If you want to entertain a woman take her shopping. Plaza Rio is a very upscale shopping center. (I’ve seen woman from the US who are impressed by it.) Marcos Plaza is another mall to explore. It has a couple of water geysers that many chicas enjoy as most haven’t seen something similar before. Chicas also like to explore Wal-Mart. Marcos Plaza has a nice movie theater.

If you enjoy people watching then go to the Teniente Guerro Park, between third and Fourth around Cinco de Mayo. (Obviously go during the day, not at night.) If you’re lucky you may find a single mom looking for a boyfriend. (There’s another park on 9th Street headed towards Colonia Independenica if you want a place away from “downtown drama.”)

Those that golf seem to really enjoy the course at Real Del Mar.

At night there is also something like Karaoke. I haven’t been in awhile, but Como Que No used to be a fun place. If you are looking for a quite place with some music you might try the lounge at La Fogata. (The food is OK; however, there are better places to eat.)

You can always head to Rosarito. Calafia is a nice place to see or go horse back riding on the beach. (If you take the old road to Rosarito you’ll go past a place you can race go carts.)

Don't forget to eat at a first rate restaurant. Tijuana really has some good places--they more than hold their own with five star US restaurants.

 

[Mommy of 5]

Nice to see you back Fireballs, we missed you...thought maybe you had been mugged on Articulo 123 or you were being driven around in the back of a police truck

I date a chica here that is real paranoid about her drinks. I remember her sending back an opened bottle of beer, and asking for an unopened can.

I know a guy that has been drugged twice when visiting Coahuila. They didn't get much, but he is just a career victim. Same guy had a Hong Kong chica empty his Las Playas apartment when he was in Los Angeles. Then she called him, and told him if he came back to Tijuana, he would be arrested.

No yet another guy, that has been rolled at least three times....but I think he just drinks until he is unconscious...actually now that I think of it, I know two guys with that problem.

 

[HavinFun]

If anybody is going to be spiking drinks it's gong to be Americans spiking drinks of the 'girls gone wild' crowd or spiking drinks of local Mexican girls trying to get into their pants.

But if you ask me insisting the waiter open the drink in front of you or being afraid to take a piss because you don't want to leave your bear unattended is just being overly cautious. If your going to be that concerned about it you might consider just staying home in America, where you would never give it a second thought if an American waiter brought you a drink or got up and took a piss while leaving your drink unattended.

However, as far as I know, every time a mesero brought me a beer they always open it in front of me, probably they know about the fear Americans have? But if I buy a mix drink or a shot of tequila they are gong to make that drink in the bar, and I'm just going to have to trust them, and in fact I do trust them.......The day I stop trusting them, and only drinking beer is the day I stay stay home. Lucky for me nothing like getting my drink spiked never happened to me, and I fill perfectly safe ordering any drink in the zone.

I normally use the ATM machine at REVO and 2nd street or at Revo and 7th Street in that convenience store. I'm not sure the type feed they use as I don't even think about it, but if I ever lost my ATM card or credit card, I'll just call my bank and they will take care of it like they always do.

In fact I received a call from my credit card company a few months ago, asking me if I made some charges at Nordstrom somewhere in Southern Cal, I said no, and they said it looked like fraud and they stopped the charges. Looks like someone had my credit card number and was trying to make charges on it. I admit I was freaked out a little, but I received a replacement credit card in two days, and I continue using it in the US despite being a victim of fraud.

 

[Miss G]

Burt, what else is there to see: historic, art, achitecture, ect in TJ ??? Have you gone to a bullfight? Is there a stripbar that has met your high standards?

 

[Sohan]

My best advice is to find a taxi driver who treats you well and become one of his regular customers. Especially when taking cabs in places like the ZN. (Ultimately it is the driver, not the company, that determines the service you receive.)

I've had problems with all type of taxi drivers. I've had a lot of problems with taxi libres in the ZN and other tourist areas. For that reason I take a Yellow cab from the ZN to the border.

Outside the tourist areas (like the ZN) I haven't had much trouble with the libres. I use them there as they are less expensive. (For example, I often take a libre from Cino y Diez, Otay, or the Airport to downtown.)

 

[help me!]

Carrying a second ID is wise. (Not just in case of theft, but some hotels require you to leave your ID.) A throw away wallet is also a good idea.

 

[Prianka]

Burt; you are wise! Since they cleaned up the zone, not as many scammers are around but... I have seen some of the sleezy hos talking to the cops...also I dont talk to taxi drivers about the cops...just in case. I use Yellow taxi exclusively- never Taxi Libra... what do you think??? I keep a copy of my ID in a back up " throw wallet" with a couple $$$ in case I lose my real one... - Boner Donor

 

[rotavatore]

Burt
Thanks for more detailed cautions about the scams. I think ATM is the number one scam, not surprisingly its the money ! A monger is like a walking/talking "ATM" to a zona provider anyway
I take too much liberty with my open drinks and going to the Restroom, will have to note that, after you sounded about it. No wonder once I nearly passed out and had to be helped by a chica and mesero back to the hotel room
The beggar tip also is very imp, be generous and get screwed possibly

------------------------------------------------------


Likewise when entering an enclosed ATM be sure the inside door handle works. I once got stuck inside an ATM because it couldn’t be opened from the inside. Fortunately I was able to get out before having an “adventure.”

What follows has been “discussed” on the boards before; some agree with me while and others don’t. I advise not drinking anything that wasn’t opened in your presence. Likewise I advise caution if you see somebody wipe the opening of your bottle with a rag, napkin, etc. Spiking a monger’s drink isn’t an everyday occurrence, but it does happen. So discard a beer after going to the baٌo (unless a buddy was watching it) or if something happens to it that makes you uneasy.

I used to give money to beggars, but those days are over. My first encounter with Tijuana’s cops came after giving a dollar to a homeless man with sob story. The next thing I knew two cops were searching me thinking they’d witnessed a drug buy.

 

[Yung Dirt]

Bohemian, 1ho-nos, et. al….

A monger in TJ is far more likely to be parted from his money through a scam than through a violent crime. Yes, guys do get mugged by both cops and ratros, but fortunately not that often. When you consider how many mongers wonder around buzzed without problems then you realize it could be a lot worse. Scams, however, are far more commonplace than muggings.

Never let anybody help you at an ATM. In fact, if somebody tires to help me I leave ASAP. The same if somebody gets too close for comfort. Almost always both are a sign that a scam is in progress.

When using an ATM I prefer one away from the ZN. The HSBC ATM at 2nd and Revolucion seems to be a magnet for scams. There are some ATMS on Constitucion that I use. I find the ATM in Sanborns (8th and Revolucion) and the AM/PM (7th and Revolucion) are much safer than those close to the ZN and prefer using them. (They also give dollars.)

Be wary of guys in their 20s speaking good English who want to help you, especially if they have “pencil lead tattoos.” Tijuana is full of deported men who served time in a US prison. Sadly many make their livings robbing tourists.

I try avoiding ATMs in which you insert a card as opposed to swiping it. There’s a scam out there of disabling the ATM so it swallows cards and watching the PIN number entered. When the tourist leaves the card is retrieved and his card tapped.

Likewise when entering an enclosed ATM be sure the inside door handle works. I once got stuck inside an ATM because it couldn’t be opened from the inside. Fortunately I was able to get out before having an “adventure.”

What follows has been “discussed” on the boards before; some agree with me while and others don’t. I advise not drinking anything that wasn’t opened in your presence. Likewise I advise caution if you see somebody wipe the opening of your bottle with a rag, napkin, etc. Spiking a monger’s drink isn’t an everyday occurrence, but it does happen. So discard a beer after going to the baٌo (unless a buddy was watching it) or if something happens to it that makes you uneasy.

I used to give money to beggars, but those days are over. My first encounter with Tijuana’s cops came after giving a dollar to a homeless man with sob story. The next thing I knew two cops were searching me thinking they’d witnessed a drug buy.

 

[gymnast2014]

I talked to a dude who said a 2 punk team crowded him at the ATM; 1 watched his pin # and the other distracted him when the card spit out he grabbed it and ran off. I think the TJ cops eye the ATM's for potential marks!

 

[madcowbutcher]

Burt, Thanks ! Actually I admit I took the Mexican police for granted. I didnt care a damn that I was opening a police car door having a person who has been booked ! That is a No No. would I have done that in the US ? No ! So I think I got let off rather leniently despite my stupidity.

Now those other things you wrote, kind of freak me out ! But these are quite possible. I was one almost ripped off by a con artist at an ATM machine. If an ATM doesnt work, just walk away dont take unsolicited help from bystanders, they are definite crooks
On a broader note, what can we expect from a place like the Zona ! So putting things in perspective it is still a relatively safe place. .......

 

[Lizzie]

bohemian...sorry to hear about your misadventure. It sounds like this one of the scams that dirty cops sometimes pull. (Oten with the help of locals who get a split the money.)

I know of a "barker" on Revolucion who used to work hand in glove with the cops. The cops would stop the barker (who spoke perfect English) while taking mongers to an MP. The cops would tell the mongers prostition was illegal and "arrest" them. The barker would advise the mongers to pay a large bribe and help them find an ATM.

A couple of years ago the "phone call" scam was in full play. A local would stand at a pay phone and get a monger's attention. (He'd ask for a peso, etc.) A cop would then show up. The local would be carrying drugs and you can guess the rest.

There's a long list of tricks that corrupt cops use. Many rely upon the tourist doing a "good deed." Sadly, in TJ you have to be very, very careful when helping somedody, especially in the ZN. (It's tragic that even giving money to a begger or buying gum from a street urchan might be part of a setup.)

 

[Pompal 09.]

Well it was like this, I finished in Bar early hours in the morning, some time ago, was one of the bars Chavelas, and I was staying at La Tropa. The girl promised to come over and it was taking some time, I thought she pulled a fast one. So unable to sleep and the hot rod still on, I decided to walk outside, as I got out, I saw this girl in the Police car just outside the hotel ! The cops were behind the car. I went to talk to the girl and held the door handle. The cops took that as a strip search opportunity and took me also for a ride to the police station. There was an English speaking "chief" cop, he gave me all the BS about this and that. I asked whats the charges for the girl, it was "under the influence" something. It seemed she abused a taxi driver who called the cops.Oops ! big mistake ! now if the girl had drugs, I could be arrested as an accomplice ! He asked for some money or option to wait till Monday for the judge. I told him I had some money in the hotel, he send a cop along with me to get it. I gave them half of what I promised. Then he became friendly and advised me how not to get fooled by this girls, "What do you expect of a hooker !" Those words still ring in my ear. Thats beacuse the girl vanised from the police statin after some formality. Next day afternoon the girl still comes to my hotel with a sob story and how she paid 200$ to the cops and how her father is angry with her blah blah. I also said blah, blah..

 

[flabbrgastdNY24]

The one time I saw the judge on a traffic violation, I explained the three different amounts the officers tried to get me to pay.

The judge thanked me for not paying the bribe and reduced my fine. I think he was lenient with me because of their corruption.

 

[Samm(:]

Bohemian wrote:

I rather hear about this, what did she do? I have a feeling sometimes the TJ police get it right and arrest people for the right reasons. It's a shame you got caught up in this.

Speaking of police corruption it goes on both sides of the border, it's just not out in the open in the US like it is in Tijuana, and the judges don't always believe the cops, but just about always side with them, as thats the way the system works. I'm still pissed off at the ticket I received last year in a speed trap, every place this street near an Indian casino was 45MPH except for this tiny stretch that said 25MPH for really no reason, yet the fucking asshole CHP was hiding and got me. Unfriendly mother-fucker no chance of getting out of the ticket, was over $200 dollars, still had to pay it even if I went to traffic school, but thank God for online traffic school, it's a hell of a lot better then spending 8 hours in some traffic school. Had I been a gang banger drug dealer with cash or drugs in my car......the US cops might have helped themselves to a little of it before arresting me?

While TJ cops like to pull over gringos in the US who are driving especially in zona, The US cops like to pull over blacks an latinos for driving while black or latino, or ' DWB', especially if you are driving a old car, as they assume you must be guilty of something.

 

[Alek]

Very interesting - and educational - account. I've not had to deal with TJ cops yet, but I've certainly encountered similar ones elsewhere.

 

[Rosa Mistica]

Overall burt, I agree with the way you handled the matter.
And I thank you for writing about it here.

But honestly, I got a real chuckle out of this paragraph that you wrote.

 

[JoAnna]

Last September I was stopped 7 time in one weekend by the TJ cops. Four times while driving and three times while walking. Each time they let me go because I wouldn't give them any money and they realized it was a waste of time.

One of the times I was parked and talking to someone on the street through my car window. They made a U-turn and pulled up behind me. They searched me. They searched my car and even sat me in the back of their police car and threaten to put me in jail, tow my car, call my wife and inform my employer. When they kept asking me what I wanted to do, I repeatedly told them I wanted to go back to my hotel. After about 30 min of this they let me go.

My point is in every case I didn't break any laws and I wasn't drunk or biligerent with them. Hope this story helps some of you.

Enjoy
TheAlphabet