Military Cehck point hurting Rocky point

[AZ Miguel]

Never had any problem at the Mexican military check points, they have big guns and are very intimidating so I keep my mouth shut and do as they ask. They have gone all through the motor home checking cabinets, closets and the refrigerator and I've never given them any reason to jack me. Entering Mexico I've gotten the red light and searched and turned around because we didn't have registration to some quads, I was not happy but it was my fault and I didn't throw a bitch fest on them. When returning to the mother country I've had to go through secondary many times and sit outside on the concrete benches while CBP went through the motor home and as they exit holding my small forgotten contraband of food that we didn't finish, they remind me of the possible implications of returning and not declaring such items. I acknowledge with concern and they send me on my way, no big deal. I've seen others get jacked as they throw a bitch fest about their rights and I hope they enjoy what they've earned. Here's a training film on how to work with the law regardless of which side of the border you're on: Chris Rock - How not to get your ass kicked by the police! - YouTube

 

[jerry]

still...Some peasant with a machine gun or some redneck Deputy Sherriff in the states I hate the gotcha aspect of this thing.They look for crappy little reasons to either make you grovel,arrest you or get some cash ....The Caborca and RP police departments are in the process of cleaning up but there isn't a deep bench.I think a certain type of person becomes a lawman that really shouldn't even be allowed to be a damn dog catchers.If you dig deep enough I'm sure you will find murdered pets in their childhood backyards.

 

[mis2810]

still...Some peasant with a machine gun or some redneck Deputy Sherriff in the states I hate the gotcha aspect of this thing.They look for crappy little reasons to either make you grovel,arrest you or get some cash ....The Caborca and RP police departments are in the process of cleaning up but there isn't a deep bench.I think a certain type of person becomes a lawman that really shouldn't even be allowed to be a damn dog catchers.If you dig deep enough I'm sure you will find murdered pets in their childhood backyards.

Can't say I disagree with this. There's more domestic violence in marriages with policemen. It's all a power thing. Just because they can. Not sure if they start out like that or it's a transformation over time.

 

[MNK003]

I find this hard to believe. They are not all kids but they are all very polite. Sometimes I speak in English just so they don't ask too many questions but I am glad they are there. Look at the crowds this weekend if you want proof. No attitude usually begets no attitude (vica versa)0

Sorry if you think I am lying for some reason. Not sure if you think I am somehow trying to ruin Rocky Point by lying to all of you. I have been coming down to RP for a long time, have a place down here, and have been through the check point many many times. Can you please explain what you think I am trying to accomplish? Do you honestly think I just made this up? As for attitude, I'm a 43 year old professional who isn't out giving people attitude. I had no beer, no group of partiers, no mouthing off...I was a guy trying to come and go to RP, with an almost completely empty vehicle (I had some paperwork in my passenger seat and a hard hat, work vest and work gloves in the back seat as I forgot to pull them out before I left). I rolled down all 4 windows in my truck and was very polite.

I was told both coming and going that "This is Mexico, learn to speak Spanish." Then BOTH times the rest of the conversation took place in Spanish. I know some Spanish but not enough that I am going to get into a conversation with them (I understand more than I can speak). The few things I did have were tossed around the truck while the 2 guys were holding them up and laughing, then tossing them to another part of the car. This was at 9:30 Friday morning and then again at 2:30 in the afternoon.

This isn't my first rodeo my friend....I know the drill.

 

[Stuart]

MNK - Please feel free to filter some of the "bleeding heart" comments on this forum. Although I haven't experienced what you describe at the Rocky Point checkpoint, I certainly have at other Mexican checkpoints, particularly while traveling Baja. At one, a young soldier literally kicked the door of my Tahoe shut, leaving a dent and a bootmark in it. I immediately asked to see the officer in charge and showed him what the soldier had done. He apologized and said he would deal with it, that it was uncalled for.

As someone mentioned, most these Army guys are young conscripts. Very little training and no manners to speak of. If you feel you have been mistreated, do not be afraid to ask for the officer in charge of the detachment. In most cases, the officers are better educated and can speak English and they don't like hearing about their troops acting out on civilians - Mexican or Gringo.

 

[Hooch]

I think i'd rather have a redneck Sheriff mess with me rather than some 110 pound mexican army kid that can barely lift his G3 to point it at someone because it weighs more than him. Also next time you run through pay attention to their trigger discipline lol.

 

[Estella]

The Mexican soldiers who man the checkpoints in northern mexico are usually from southern mexico. Because of this the northerners call them "guachos", it is Spanish term for south American cowboys and is used as derogatory term for Mexican soldiers from the south. The north Mexicans are being sent to south to take care of the checkpoints there, they are moved to totally different location that their home place to combat corruption. I have never had any problems with military checkpoints and the reason is I respond quickly to their questions: "que se dedica, de donde viene, a donde va". I look right in the eye with a confident look and respond quickly in Spanish. Regardless of all of this, I still think it is a travesty that people are subjected to any checkpoint in modern free country. Mexican government uses Cuba as a bad example but I don't see much difference.

 

[playaperro]

The Mexican soldiers who man the checkpoints in northern mexico are usually from southern mexico. Because of this the northerners call them "guachos", it is Spanish term for south American cowboys and is used as derogatory term for Mexican soldiers from the south. The north Mexicans are being sent to south to take care of the checkpoints there, they are moved to totally different location that their home place to combat corruption. I have never had any problems with military checkpoints and the reason is I respond quickly to their questions: "que se dedica, de donde viene, a donde va". I look right in the eye with a confident look and respond quickly in Spanish. Regardless of all of this, I still think it is a travesty that people are subjected to any checkpoint in modern free country. Mexican government uses Cuba as a bad example but I don't see much difference.

One of these days one of those wachito's is going to kick your "Bad Ass".

 

[Roberto]

I encourage those of you who have had unplesant first hand experiences with the staff at the military stop to contact Sonora Tourisim and to relate you experiences in a matter of fact constructive way. I had the occasion to speak with the director several years back about a problem I had with the staff at Almejas Aduana stop and he was incensed about their behavior and wanted names, etc. Please do it and do it in the spirit of being helpful to him to do his job without a lot of complaining. If you are into name calling forget it. I wrote describing second hand some of the experiences I have heard about and think some first hand accounts would be good. While aknowledging they have an important job to do, and not objecting to the stop in and of itself, I suggested some training might be appropriate given the large tourist traffic at this location. Find a "contact us" e-mail link here:Sonora Turismo

 

[El Gato]

Yesterday we traveled the Coastal Highway for the first time coming home. We ended up behind one the the military trucks for some miles - gave a feeling of security rather then anything else. Somehow DH was so busy following them that we entered the exit area of the military checkpoint - rather then taking the dirt path through the Agi check point.

One of the guys came towards us, holding up oncoming traffic as he motioned us to stop. At that point we weren't sure what we had done as we were on the right side of the highway. He smiled and asked if we spoke Spanish. When DH said he spoke a little the guard, smiling, went into rapid fire Spanish. Fortunately his hand motions were enough to have us realize we had missed our 'dirt lane' and he wanted us to turn around, go back beyond the pylons onto the dirt section. We thanked him, did as asked and he smiled and waved as he then released the oncoming traffic.

It was our mistake and they were all perfectly nice and helpful. Have to admit we never worry about the check points as all we have seen is them doing their job. As long as they keep the bad guys, drugs and weapons out of Penasco (Sonora in this case) we'll be happy to see them. When we had left Penasco the week before, headed for Lukeville, the guard did check the trunk - tapping on the walls of the trunk, etc. He was polite but being conscientious. We smiled, thanked him and he smiled as he finally waved us on.

 

[Mexico Joe]

Yesterday we traveled the Coastal Highway for the first time coming home. We ended up behind one the the military trucks for some miles - gave a feeling of security rather then anything else. Somehow DH was so busy following them that we entered the exit area of the military checkpoint - rather then taking the dirt path through the Agi check point.

One of the guys came towards us, holding up oncoming traffic as he motioned us to stop. At that point we weren't sure what we had done as we were on the right side of the highway. He smiled and asked if we spoke Spanish. When DH said he spoke a little the guard, smiling, went into rapid fire Spanish. Fortunately his hand motions were enough to have us realize we had missed our 'dirt lane' and he wanted us to turn around, go back beyond the pylons onto the dirt section. We thanked him, did as asked and he smiled and waved as he then released the oncoming traffic.

It was our mistake and they were all perfectly nice and helpful. Have to admit we never worry about the check points as all we have seen is them doing their job. As long as they keep the bad guys, drugs and weapons out of Penasco (Sonora in this case) we'll be happy to see them. When we had left Penasco the week before, headed for Lukeville, the guard did check the trunk - tapping on the walls of the trunk, etc. He was polite but being conscientious. We smiled, thanked him and he smiled as he finally waved us on.

You would be naive to believe that bad guys weapons and drugs are being kept out of Sonora or even Penasco for that matter.

 

[El Gato]

You would be naive to believe that bad guys weapons and drugs are being kept out of Sonora or even Penasco for that matter.

You are correct, we would be naive if we thought all drugs and weapons were kept out - especially the bad guys. But, like the police patrolling a neighborhood in the US, every little bit helps. At least one could hope that it would. I dislike it when a cop stops me for speeding - but I do appreciate them when I have a problem and they stop to help.

 

[jerry]

Bring it back

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[Roberto]

Bring it back

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That intersection is a death trap. People I know go through there several times a day and report that the big rigs virtually never stop at that intersection. It is a prevalent Mexican driving habit, if they can get in front of you they have the right of way irrespective of your speed and location. Sort of like playing chicken. Hard to understand why the local enforcement can pick on fat old bald guys like GV and me, well not really it's called mordita but I never pay.

 

[jerry]

Bob, part of it is people like me that head South sort of get hypmotized by the road.I cannot quite explain it but you v off to the right and sort of think everone is following you...the next sound you hear is being toned by another driver that did not take the Caborca exit

 

[dmcauley]

I saw what was left of the pickup on the way in Saturday,not pretty.

 

[Terry C]

That is the way we come back from Playa Encanto. They made changes over the years. A flashing light going West before you get to the intersection ( ran over by many). New signs ( no body pays attention to them). Concrete speed bumps
( broke apart). Yellow road bumps maybe 4" tall ( people go to the other lane to miss them). Two ALTO signs now
(forgetaboutthat). Like Roberto said "that intersection is a death trap"

No mater what you do you have slow down way before and look in all directions when you approach that area. If they want to pass you let them have at it. It's to bad people don't know about that area how bad it can be.

 

[mexicoruss]

I go through with groups all the time, I turn my flashers on and slow to a crawl - my customers don't understand why but I tell them that I am keeping them alive. Drive careful out there.

 

[ben21]

I had no idea how dangerous that is, thanks for the warning. I'll be sure to slow down next time. Is this issue that people (like that semi in the photo) are cutting into the main road heading into and out of town? That's the new turn off for Sandy Beach and the Coastal Highway, right?

 

[jerry]

I had no idea how dangerous that is, thanks for the warning. I'll be sure to slow down next time. Is this issue that people (like that semi in the photo) are cutting into the main road heading into and out of town? That's the new turn off for Sandy Beach and the Coastal Highway, right?

yes but mostly the people leaving the port are driving like idiots