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johang

Mar 24, 2011, 9:46 PM

Post #1 of 21 (2835 views)

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Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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I have come across reference to a form which is supplied by
Procurador De Proteccion al Turismowhich it sounds like is supposed help protect tourists from being hustled by traffic cops.

It asks for the name and badge number of the officer, state, license plate etc. etc

Has anyone heard of this form? Where can I get a better or up to date copy?

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

Mar 25, 2011, 1:28 PM

Post #2 of 21 (2769 views)

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Re: [johang] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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Or you can do what I have done. Keep a cheap disposable camera in your glove box ( boy, what an antiquated term that is). When stopped unfairly or fairly by any officer of the law, who threatens to impound your car, hold your driver's license or asks for a mordita, do everything he asks you to do, but slowly get out of your vehicle, camera in hand, take shots of him, his badge number, his vehicle and his license plate number. You do not need to speak Spanish to do this. In fact, the less said the better. You will be sent on your way immediately. T

Altahabana

Mar 25, 2011, 3:16 PM

Post #3 of 21 (2749 views)

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Re: [T] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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In Tamaulipas there is a good probability a municipal cop who stops you for a traffic violation is on the payroll of either the Gulf cartel or the Zetas--the Nuevo Laredo municipal police are derisively called the "Polizetas." Traffic morditas are a form of revenue collection for cartels around here. In Tamaulipas at least a driver might want to exercise a little restraint before getting righteous with a traffic cop trying to collect a mordita.

Marlene

Mar 25, 2011, 3:37 PM

Post #4 of 21 (2741 views)

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Re: [T] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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I wouldn't recommend anyone getting out of their car unless invited to do so. Doing something like that could be easily misconstrued as confrontational, or a threat, and there is no predicting what might happen after that. You could get mowed down by another car, for that matter.

(This post was edited by Marlene on Mar 25, 2011, 3:41 PM)

chinagringo

Mar 25, 2011, 4:17 PM

Post #5 of 21 (2727 views)

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Re: [Marlene] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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I can remember the days when it was a sign of respect to get out of one's vehicle and meet the law enforcement halfway - at least where I stated to drive NOB. In our changing world, it seems to have flip-flopped to a sign of aggression virtually everywhere. While it has been a common recommendation to use one's camera phone or other camera to intimidate an officer on the take, I had not considered the possible negative implications of taking an officer's photo when they could be on the take from the cartels. That just might be a "final act"!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Rolly

Mar 25, 2011, 5:26 PM

Post #6 of 21 (2719 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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The one time I was stopped by a state policeman, he waited for me to get out of my pickup and come to him. He never got out of his cop car.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

chinagringo

Mar 25, 2011, 6:21 PM

Post #7 of 21 (2703 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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NOB or SOB?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Rolly

Mar 25, 2011, 6:58 PM

Post #8 of 21 (2689 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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On a highway near Torreón.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Mar 26, 2011, 1:41 PM

Post #9 of 21 (2604 views)

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Re: [johang] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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Please know that I stand by my original post. Done it three times here in lakeside and it works like a charm. Just smile, move slowly and do not act threatening nor be angry. T

Mar 26, 2011, 1:45 PM

Post #10 of 21 (2602 views)

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Re: [johang] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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Besides, to fill out your complicated form, you would still have to get out of your vehicle to get the info. Paper, pencil and clipboard or camera? You decide. T.

morgaine7

Mar 26, 2011, 2:03 PM

Post #11 of 21 (2595 views)

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Re: [T] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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I've never been hassled by police, but what's to keep the cop from simply confiscating your camera?

Kate

Mar 26, 2011, 2:51 PM

Post #12 of 21 (2586 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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Well, that is a good question to which I have no answer. I think what we are really talking about is the honesty and integrity of the Mexican police. I admire the hell out of these guys. I have lived in lakeside for six years and have had no problems. The vast, vast majority of them are great human beings, just doing their jobs for incredibly low wages. My negative experiences were not in the State of Jalisco, but as I was driving to the border. I have the most profound respect for lakeside cops, in all of their variations. T.

Altahabana

Mar 27, 2011, 5:49 AM

Post #13 of 21 (2539 views)

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Re: [T] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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In Reply To

Please know that I stand by my original post. Done it three times here in lakeside and it works like a charm. Just smile, move slowly and do not act threatening nor be angry. T

Your advice might be fine for a little niche like lakeside but it is poor advice for Tamaulipas which many ex--pats and motoring tourists have to pass through on their way to Lakeside, SMA or other places in Central Mexico. Your assumptions about the integrity of local police agencies also are more than a little naive in my opinion for areas where cartels are active

Mar 27, 2011, 1:56 PM

Post #14 of 21 (2470 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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That is why I clarified where I live and the specific are that I was writing about. I am sure I may have problems doing this in some other areas of Mexico. T

chinagringo

Mar 27, 2011, 6:38 PM

Post #15 of 21 (2440 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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When advice is given as to how to deal with a cop on the take by suggesting photos and other such antics, I have never seen one warning not to try this driving to and from the border. It doesn't take any real imagination to see how an inexperienced snowbird driving to or from the border might assume that this was SOP and be prepared to follow such advice. In many areas of NL, such action might have tragic results as you point out.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

mexipat

Mar 27, 2011, 7:03 PM

Post #16 of 21 (2435 views)

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Re: [T] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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Altahabana

Mar 28, 2011, 7:11 AM

Post #17 of 21 (2389 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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In Reply To

When advice is given as to how to deal with a cop on the take by suggesting photos and other such antics, I have never seen one warning not to try this driving to and from the border. . . . . . In many areas of NL, such action might have tragic results as you point out.

I really don't know what the results would be but I personally wouldn't want to test the water. It's okay to argue with a local cop if you think you are being shaken down or negotiate the amount of the "fine." But before getting more aggressive--and taking close up photos of the officer and his vehicle would qualify as aggressive in my opinion--someone might want to consider that there might be something else in play than just a local bozo supplementing his salary. The murder of police in northern Mexico seldom involves bad guys taking out good guys---more often it's simply an extension of inter-cartel warfare.

johang

Mar 29, 2011, 1:00 PM

Post #18 of 21 (2287 views)

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Re: [johang] Form for drivers from Procurador De Proteccion al Turismo

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It turns out the department that issued the form doesn't exist anymore so no wonder we couldn't find it. Apparently the form is from about 2005. We are working on a new form and when that is available I will post a link to it.

Thanks for all the good advise. In our trip reports this year we had reports of two people saying that it did the trick for them. They just use the form, no mention of cameras or anything else. It strikes me as a very civilized way to combat the problem. Even if you are in the habit of paying the mordita, which I strongly discourage, it makes sense to ask for a receipt. What could be more reasonable? I have always done that in the past (with a big smile) and it has got me out of 3 different situations without a fine. The form is new to me but I think it makes sense for folks who don't speak the language.

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.