Cancun Police Harassment

The Mexican police (local I think) have become much more aggresive and abusive in recent years. They have harassed and shaken down our kids and have stopped friends coming back from Playa Del Carmen. Instead of being a safe haven for tourists to turn to, they seem to be more and more of the problem. We all know that there are parts of Cancun (as in any large city) that tourists shouild not go and we don't go there but these harassing and shakedown incidents are occurring more and more within the hotel zone in the traditionally "safe" areas. It's a sad shame when we'd rather go to a taxi driver than a policeman for help. Additionally, a number of our friends have relayed incidents of being stopped and skaken down for money when driving rental cars back from Playa Del Carmen at night. If the Royal Resorts want us to consider buying additional villas at the Royal Haciendas, they need to provide safe transfers from Playa back into Cancun so we can enjoy a late evening in Playa to sample their restaurants and nightlife. In addition to the daytime shuttles already being run, I don't think Royal Resorts shuttles that leaves Playa at, say midnight and again at 2:00 a.m., are an unreasoanble request given the nightlife attractions of the area (they could even be scheduled on specific days). You might say we should take taxis but I have been in them when they have been stopped by the police. Even an airport shuttle was stopped on the way to the Royal Sands in 2006 when we were on it. I would like to hear from other Cancun owners who have experienced similar abuse by the Cancun police. Perhaps, if we all complain loud enough, something will be done.

These are the type problems that have been going on for years in Mexico and will never stop!

We owned in Puerto Vallarta Mexico twenty one years ago and sold and have made our last trip to Mexico and that was to Cancun about eighteen years ago as timeshare owners.

We did go back about seven years ago with some friends that rented a condo at the Royal Caribbean and had good time but we didn't travel out at night.

Mexico has some fun places and beautiful area's and resorts but to us it is just not worth the hassles and crime any longer!

We took friends with us and exchanged into the Royal Caribbean and they were ripped off by a cab driver after enjoying dinner and returning to the resort and police were given all the information to nail this crook and they couldn't careless. The manager said if anything the police would take part of this drivers money he ripped off and let him go!

The resort manager told them to try and enjoy the rest of the week and just write it off because the police are not going to do anything about it!

There are just to many other places to spend a vacation without going to Mexico!

PHILL12

I'm not ready to give up on Cancun yet. Cab drivers who rip folks off usually get to do it either because the folks don't know the exchange rate or don't ask the fare BEFORE they get in the cab. Telling the police to me is a waste of time.

But, I think a number of the big resorts down there like the Royal Resorts, who are the largest employer in Quintana Roo, can get soemthing done if they want to.

It's going to require getting enough folks riled up enough so they'll sit up and pay attention.

phill12 wrote:

elkaribe wrote:

The Mexican police (local I think) have become much more aggresive and abusive in recent years. They have harassed and shaken down our kids and have stopped friends coming back from Playa Del Carmen. Instead of being a safe haven for tourists to turn to, they seem to be more and more of the problem. We all know that there are parts of Cancun (as in any large city) that tourists shouild not go and we don't go there but these harassing and shakedown incidents are occurring more and more within the hotel zone in the traditionally "safe" areas. It's a sad shame when we'd rather go to a taxi driver than a policeman for help. Additionally, a number of our friends have relayed incidents of being stopped and skaken down for money when driving rental cars back from Playa Del Carmen at night. If the Royal Resorts want us to consider buying additional villas at the Royal Haciendas, they need to provide safe transfers from Playa back into Cancun so we can enjoy a late evening in Playa to sample their restaurants and nightlife. In addition to the daytime shuttles already being run, I don't think Royal Resorts shuttles that leaves Playa at, say midnight and again at 2:00 a.m., are an unreasoanble request given the nightlife attractions of the area (they could even be scheduled on specific days). You might say we should take taxis but I have been in them when they have been stopped by the police. Even an airport shuttle was stopped on the way to the Royal Sands in 2006 when we were on it. I would like to hear from other Cancun owners who have experienced similar abuse by the Cancun police. Perhaps, if we all complain loud enough, something will be done.

phill12 These are the type problems that have been going on for years in Mexico and will never stop!

We owned in Mexico eighteen years ago and sold and have made our last trip to Mexico and that was to Cancun about ten years ago.

We took friends with us and they were ripped off by a cab driver after enjoying dinner and returning to the resort and police were given all the information to nail this crook and they couldn't careless. The manager said if anything the police would take part of this drivers money he ripped off and let him go!

The resort manager told them to try and enjoy the rest of the week and just write it off because the police are not going to do anything about it!

There are just to many other places to spend a vacation without going to Mexico!

I have never personally had any problems with the police in Mexico. It is important that you know how things work when travelling out of the country. In Cancun, for example, you always set the fare before you get in the cab and only tip for extra services rendered. At restaurants you should check to see if they have added extra charges (gringo tax) and also make sure that what is there adds up to the total. Some include a tip on the bill - watch for the word "propina". Most of the people you will meet are honest hard working folks, so don't treat them unfairly. There is no really unsafe place in Cancun in my experience and I certainly feel safer there than in any small or large city in this country. Mexico City is another place entirely.

terryk58 wrote:

phill12 wrote:

elkaribe wrote:

The Mexican police (local I think) have become much more aggresive and abusive in recent years. They have harassed and shaken down our kids and have stopped friends coming back from Playa Del Carmen. Instead of being a safe haven for tourists to turn to, they seem to be more and more of the problem. We all know that there are parts of Cancun (as in any large city) that tourists shouild not go and we don't go there but these harassing and shakedown incidents are occurring more and more within the hotel zone in the traditionally "safe" areas. It's a sad shame when we'd rather go to a taxi driver than a policeman for help. Additionally, a number of our friends have relayed incidents of being stopped and skaken down for money when driving rental cars back from Playa Del Carmen at night. If the Royal Resorts want us to consider buying additional villas at the Royal Haciendas, they need to provide safe transfers from Playa back into Cancun so we can enjoy a late evening in Playa to sample their restaurants and nightlife. In addition to the daytime shuttles already being run, I don't think Royal Resorts shuttles that leaves Playa at, say midnight and again at 2:00 a.m., are an unreasoanble request given the nightlife attractions of the area (they could even be scheduled on specific days). You might say we should take taxis but I have been in them when they have been stopped by the police. Even an airport shuttle was stopped on the way to the Royal Sands in 2006 when we were on it. I would like to hear from other Cancun owners who have experienced similar abuse by the Cancun police. Perhaps, if we all complain loud enough, something will be done.

phill12 These are the type problems that have been going on for years in Mexico and will never stop!

We owned in Mexico eighteen years ago and sold and have made our last trip to Mexico and that was to Cancun about ten years ago.

We took friends with us and they were ripped off by a cab driver after enjoying dinner and returning to the resort and police were given all the information to nail this crook and they couldn't careless. The manager said if anything the police would take part of this drivers money he ripped off and let him go!

The resort manager told them to try and enjoy the rest of the week and just write it off because the police are not going to do anything about it!

There are just to many other places to spend a vacation without going to Mexico!

I was in Cancun two years ago and the saying our group used regularly was "nothing appears as it seems". Yes I was ripped off by a cab driver (it was a cheap $10 lesson). Yes surprise charges were added to our restaurant bills but were taken off when we complained. Yes you will be approached by every sort of person trying to get money from you for something legal or illeagal. But never the less, we will go back to Cancun, the next time a little wiser. The weather was great, the water warm and blue. Most of the Mexican people we interacted with were warm and helpful and the prices were reasonable. The key is to just be aware that this is the way it is and when you leave your hotel or resort you have to keep your wits about you.

==== Good advice. Sometimes, too, we Gringos are uncertain of what sort of things are a set price and what is subject to bargaining--intentionally set high to start with on the assumption the potential buyer will make a counter offer. If they don't--Yippee! Viva los Gringos loco! MD

I've been going to the Yucatan area for 30 years and always rent a car. I got pulled over for the first time 2 weeks ago. I actually was going a little too fast on Highway 307 between Playa and Cancun. The police officer and his partner were very polite. He explained about the issues they have with tourists as well as locals driving too fast and many times after having a few too many. He was going to give me a ticket but after telling him that we really appreciate and respect the work he does, he let me go with a warning just to be careful and dont drive after drinking because that is very serious. I have never been shaken down and as far as cabs, they try to rip you off everywhere around the world. Always better to agree on a fare if there is no set price or meter.

Living in a border state I can attest to the abuse from Mexican police. Truthfully, you got off very lucky--we read and see on the local TV and read in the local newspapers too many times of people being held in prison for months on trumped up charges. They are held for thousands of dollars, often in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and are not released until the money is paid. Our neighbors were robbed at gunpoint by a taxi driver, one of our high State Officials was murdered, his wife and couple traveling with them severely beaten by robbers on a train to Copper Canyon. If you really want to know what's going on in Mexico read the book, The Reaper's Edge which I bought on Amazom. com. I have no tie to the author other than knowing that what he writes is right on. Personally, I will never travel to Mexico again--the last experience we had quite a few years ago was having an 18 year old Federale (policeman) following us and our 16 year old daughter. I suddenly realized we had NO rights. He could say she did something and take her from us. I just slowed down and smiled and he grinned and left. <shudder> What could have happened still haunts me!

The police in Mexico are crooked no matter where you are.

Our story from Cancun on 1/17/08: We were pulled over in the resort area and blocked in by two police cars for speeding which I denied. Then, I was told the fine was for not wearing a seat belt. By this time he had my license. Cost me $45 USD or I "could appear at the police station" on Monday (this was Saturday) to pay my fine. Yeah right, when my plane out was in 3 hours. I paid the bribe; but got his name.

I reported this to the consulate in Cancun when I returned to the civilized world on Monday. I gave them the details and the "officer's" name. Then, I was asked whether I had the license plate number of the vehicle. Of course, I didn't.

Here are my suggestions: 1. yes, it is now a law requiring seat belts but only the driver not the passenger (per the consulate), 2. normally this is a warning offense not deserving of a ticket (per the consulate); 3. take pictures of everything--the police and their vehicle(s) (per the consulate); 4. NEVER give them your license (give them a back & front photocopy) and if they give you a hard time tell them the original is in the hotel safe and they need to follow you there (a good suggestion from a fellow traveler); 5. don't argue but be firm and polite--hey ask them about their family and all other BS you can think of (my suggestion); and 6. put the telephone numbers of the US embassy in Mexico City and all US consulates in Mexico on your cell and start calling the minute the police walks up to your car (my suggestion).

They will never do this to me again.

My suggestion is don't go to Mexico. Why put up with such behavior, when there are thousands of places to visit that are free of such police behavior. When the resorts start to go under, they will try to do something about the police behavior. I practice what I preach, I will never go to Mexico, or buy a property there. Stan.

Police abuse is common, even police brutality and unlawful inprisonment until your family comes up with a huge ransom! If you want to know what's going on in Mexico read The Reaper's Line by Lee Morgan. Mr Morgan is a former Border Patrol Agent from Douglas, Arizona and tells it like it is. Funny at times, but down right old-fashioned terrifing at others! I got my copy from Amazon.com. I have no connection to Mr. Morgan but as someone who lives close to the Meixcan Border, I have seen and heard many many such tales. Our son is a close friend to a former Mexican police officer--what this man shares is terrifing! Travel to Mexico is dangerous! You have no legal rights, the American police, our political system, etc have no say in what happens to you and cannot help you! A few months ago, our neighbors who WERE frequent travelers to Mexico were robbed at gun point by their taxi driver in Cancun. Please please think twice before traveling across our southern border!

stanleyf5 wrote:

My suggestion is don't go to Mexico. Why put up with such behavior, when there are thousands of places to visit that are free of such police behavior. I practice what I preach, I will never go to Mexico, or buy a property there. Stan.

I concur with the portion of Stans' statement quoted above. Although I have been to Mexico (...not in any way associated with timeshare use or RTU purchase), I certainly have no particular desire to return.

Somehow, people (particularly the younger generations) seem quite willing to ignore the fact that, despite being physically contiguous to the United States, Mexico is an independent, foreign entity. It is essentially still a third world country, rife with corruption, where U.S. laws do not apply and offer no protection whatsoever to the visiting U.S. citizen once he or she crosses the border. Yet somehow, people go to Mexico and still manage to be shocked when the widespread corruption there becomes a face to face reality for them. Baffling...

I have been to Mexico many years ago while traveling on business, but I am retired now and will never visit Mexico. When I was there years ago, I was told to put most of my money in my shoe, so if stopped by the police or other robbers, they would take what they could see, and then leave you. I was never stopped, but some of my business associates were stopped by police and had money taken under various pretexts. Stan.

Don't visit Mexico is just too broad a suggestion.

I have visited Cozumel every year since 1991 without any trouble and lord knows I could have been stopped for speeding most of the time. However, since this is a scuba destination, the police know better than to harass anyone--it would get around like wildfire if it happened and ruin their diving industry.

We have a timeshare in Playa and we HAVE to fly in to Cancun and Cancun is the problem. Have never been bothered by the police in Playa.

All that I was offering were a few suggestions to ease the pain if you did get harassed. The consul assures me that they will pursue these situations and, especially, if you have badge numbers, vehicle license numbers and, even better, pictures. So, SNAP SNAP SNAP away.

Just yesterday, I read an article about Juarez, Mexico. The drug lords continuing war is escalating in border towns and across Mexico. Kidnappings and violent shootouts are common these days. The US Government is warning of danger to U.S. citizens. Living in a border state we hear a great deal about the danger. Please be very very careful if you decide to travel to Mexico! An even better choice would be change your travel plans to somewhere that is safe!

Hi, Mly idea of a vacation is not having the possibility of playing crime scene investigator, and collecting evidence of the crime. I prefer to spend my time having fun. However, different people have different interests. Stan.

Stan,

Sarcasm doesn't become you.

Sorry it seems that you hate Mexico so much; but, that doesn't mean that others don't visit there. Nothing wrong with some friendly suggestions, in my opinion, because some day you might get stopped and the suggestions might help to minimize the pain.

Over and out.

Jay

Jay, I don't hate Mexico, I have Mexican relatives. I was not being sarcastic. I don't want hassels when I go on vacation. If a place has enough to offer so that you want to go there even if the possibility of a hassel exist, then fine with me. My Mexican relatives, have no interest in returning to live there, they only go to visit relatives still in Mexico. They also speak of all the danger and corruption that exists in Mexico. To anyone who enjoys Mexico enough that they are willing to take the risks, I say my best wishes for you. I hope you have no difficulties. This is my last response to this forum. Stan.

Stan, I have a feeling that those of us who live in border states or who have family with relatives in Mexico have a more realistic view of Mexico. The Federal Government has issued trave warnings especially for border towns. There have been drug cartel kidnapings in San Diego, parents are refusing to send their children to school in Juarez due to kidnappings and children being murdered. I agree with your statement about those who wish to go to Mexico are free to do so. However, I also agree that I don't think most people who aren't living in an area that borders Mexico truly understand the danger! I sincerely hope they don't find out the hard way.

I am in Cancun now. I have been here for a month. Yes Cancun Police have been very busy shaking down tourists. I rarely see them doing anything else. Don't give them your license. Be respectful but argue your case. Don't pay them if you can avoid it. Better to let them have your license plate then recover it downtown later. The fines are really low. Waste as much of their time as you can and try to stop in a public place where there are other tourists. Take pictures discretly. Consulate numbers in your cell phone may help. They are bandits and should be ashamed. Police seem to be the biggest threat to tourists around here.