Baja California police has not a very good reputation. Violence and corruption are just a few things they are accused of. Last week a video of three Federal policemen brutalizing two suspects near the US-border caused a lot of commotion among the locals.
Last weekend we were visiting in Baja - our friend was mad at us. We had been nagging/bitchy just a tad too much and as punishment he didn't pick us up from the coffee-shop.That meant walking back to our appartment at 11.00 pm. Thankfully ,the temperatures had been in the mid-80s during the day. So it was balmy when we started our way home - by foot.
After a five minutes walk through empty streets and lots a Federal police-car stopped next to us.
"¿De donde va?"
Now that was a real problem. We would find the area where our appartment was blindly but we had no idea what the name of the street was.
"Up there, 2 streets to the left". We made handsigns. "Lomas de Aqua or something similiar.."
The two policemen looked at each other. "¿Te queres es?"
"Estados Unidos. De San Diego." We answered.
The two policemen conferred with each other. Then one pointed at the back of the patrol car. "Vai."
Since it was a dark area and nobody was around we did as we were told. One police officer radioed the station for directions to "Up there, 2 streets to the left."
While driving one of them asked for our name. We told him. Huh? He asked again. We told him again. Finally one said: "We'll call you Lady."
We shrugged. "That's okay."
They stopped at an OxxO store. For a newspaper. One asked if we cared for a soda. We did. Believe it or not, after 20 minutes drive they found the right street and the right appartment building from our directions. They waited until we were inside then drove off. We vowed, to write down the street name and the number should we ever be in the same situation again...
¡MUCHAS GRACIAS!
Since the new year began 5 police officers and 30 civilians have been killed by the cartels in Baja California....
That was a scary situation Vix.I don't respect your friend for leaving a woman alone at night on the streets.
ReplyDeleteWhen you can't even trust the police to see you safe home,who do you turn to.
And what a dangerous area to abandon you in.
ReplyDeleteI agree. However, I was too proud to apologize and told him I wouldn't care.
ReplyDeleteWhen I told him I had gotten an escort by the Federal police he was impressed.
Sad reality - not many people trust the police there. But the Federales are special forces (see picture). I have been told it is highly unusal to find them in the area they picked me up.
Vix...tell your friend I am angry with him...If he leave or not pick ou up on time ...I am going to put my evil eye on him...Let Jeannie draw a big "DICK" in the middle of his head.He know I bad it is there...we hear about it on the news here.
ReplyDeleteHe know, I know. We both have a temper. I told him i can manage. He said, fine!
ReplyDeleteSomehow destiny provided me with two Federal police officers on patrol.
Way to go girl,I think he know you are a strong woman,but be careful.on the news they stated it was one of the dangerous places in the U.S. so sweetie you be careful.
ReplyDeletewill, Cupcake. Actually, it is just across the border. But it is a completely different world from here in the US. Violence happens daily and doesn't shock too many people anymore. And the locals are deeply distrustful of the police.
ReplyDeleteI think they say a lot of drugs are coming in,we have a lot of drug traffic here,I guess people like the fast money,not many jobs,low wages,high prices,I guess it is easier to do the crimes.Life is not worth a plugged nickle.Be back in a minute,someone at the door.
ReplyDeleteThey don't have much of a choice. The government, which is extremely corrupt, doesn't help poor people. And the cartels offer money and a perspective. And sudden death.
ReplyDelete