When Jorge Ramos became mayor in December 2007 he started to clamp down of the TJ cops.  Currently shakedowns have ended.  The cops aren't bothering anybody at the SENTRI dropp off point.

Auto theft, in constrast, is way up.  I mean way up.  

Be extrememly careful if you drive to Tijuana. Use a safe parking lot, even in broad daylight.  I advise those who don't know the safe from the unsafe parking lots to park in the US and use cabs while in TJ.

I'm actually surprised  guys would hassle with the drive, considering the line to drive back into the states.
I know some don't like the cabbies and had problems the shakedowns.  But I am lucky I guess and didn't have problems with other.  Well, other than getting mugged one time and that could have happened even if I had driven, if I was walking back to my car.
Thanks for the heads up.

I recommend Lo-Jack.  Tijuana cops have access, and they get paid a nice bonus when they find your car.  The first thing they'll ask you when you report a stolen vehicle is if you have it.  If you do, then they'll swarm all over that car to be the first one to find it and get the bonus.

TPR:  I have Lojack and would appreciate know the source of your information.  If you had a car stolen that had Lojack installed, would you please supply more details?  Gracias.

I've heard conflicting reports about Lo-Jack being worthwhile in TJ.  (GPS maps are very good in TJ.)

Also, if the cops get a better offer from the car thieves I wouldn't expect much help from them. And I fear they are either stealing the cars or receiving payments to let theives work an area.

One friend parked an almost new Ford Expedition near the park blocks in Centro about 1pm.  People on the street told him the cops towed it with a flatbed.  It was found totally stripped a few days later.



-- Modified on 2/5/2008 12:50:23 PM

I've never had anything bad happen to any vehicle.  But then again, I usually don't go to the shit parts of town.

As far as the source of my information, ask any cop on the street and they'll tell you.  If you feel real motivated, you can go to the central command building in Zona Rio and peek in there.

I disagree.  If I had a car stolen and they simply "couldn't recover it", I'd talk to the MP or the Sindicatura and get the reports on that.  I'd be willing to bet the cops would be severely disciplined when they find that someone just "couldn't find it".  Once a report is routed through the central command, it's hard to slide it under the rug.

What did the MP tell him?

i would just get a rental car (since it's not my car and i really don't care what happens to it, fuck it, it's worth it, just pay the extra insurance), i've done it before and parked it on the US side

While you said you park on the US side, since this was about cars getting stolen in TJ a warning to those thinking of taking the rental across the border.  Many rental companies, at least a few years ago, do not allow you to drive the rental across the border without getting an OK from them first.