In addition to 078, call 066. This is the equivalent of 911 in Tijuana and all of the calls are recorded and logged, which makes the corrupt police accountable for their actions.
It was reported on another site that a member immediately called 066 after a TJ police officer randomly stopped him and took money from his wallet. According to this member, a higher ranking officer (he assumed he was higher ranking based in this guy's iniform) was at the scene within a couple of minutes to take the member's report. Luckily, the member remembered the cop's truck number, so this higher ranking officer was able to find the corrupt cop, again within minutes, bring him back and sort out the situation right there on the sidewalk.
Apparently the corrupt cop mustered a bullshit excuse, apologized, and even offered our member all of the cash in his wallet as a means of retribution, which this cop obviously stole from other gringos (why else would he have dollars). The member refused the extra cash, shook the cop's hand, and then here's the kicker...
Because calls to 066 are recorded, they asked him to call back and tell the operator that everything was good and that he was happy.
If that doesn't show you the importance of 066 when being searched by the local pigs, then I don't know what will. It's nice to have these resources available.
Posted By: Burt2010
In case I am new to you let's start with for over a dozen years I have lived in downtown Tijuana within walking distance of the Ticuan Hotel.
I doubt you'll have problems. I walk to and form my place near the Ticuan to the Zona and all over downtown Tijuana at all hours of the day and night over and over again without incident.
The Zona is most dangerous in the morning hours (not afternoon as stated elsewhere). The reasons are (1) the cops don't patrol the Zona in the morning and (2) there aren't a lot of people out making it easier for muggers to play their games.
If the cops do stop you NEVER, NEVER pay. Hold your money, wallet, and other valuable in your hand if they search you. What most Gringos don't realize are:
1. Prostitution is legal EVERYWHERE in Tijuana. It is only public solicitation that is limited to the Zona.
2. In Tijuana the cops must take you before a judge to get a confinement order to put you in jail and there are judges on duty 24/7.
3. Corrupts cops will try to scare you into paying a bride. Politely but firmly say no and let's see what the judge says. Once the realize they aren't going to get any money from you they'll find a face saving way to move on. (They want to make money, which they can't do by taking somebody to see a judge on a bogas charge.)
Been there. Done that. (So have lots of other experienced vets that don't wet their pants at the sight of a cop in TJ).
4. 078 is the tourist assistance hot line. It is manned 24/7 by English speakers. If you have any problems with correct cops call 078 at once. (If you don't have a Mexican phone but have service in Mexico with a US phone then dial 011-52-664-078. Of bluff that's what you're going to do if you don't have service in Mexico.)
5. Get the license number of the patrol car, names, badge numbers, etc. Tell the cops you are to report them to Sindicatura (Internal Affairs). That too makes corrupt cops back off.
I really doubt you'll have problems with the cops. That's far more common in the Zona than around the Ticanua. But if you do don't give them a dime.
Your choice of seeing escorts (in alphabetical order) from Cumintj and Mexico Lindo Bar is a good ones. (Tell Mundo and Dennis that Burt recommended you to them on TER. It won't get you a discount, but it will get you a welcoming hello.)
