Corrupt Cops on Coz?

[Christi]

Christy,

Thanks for the insiders look at this matter. It puts alot into perspective. You implied that the taxi drivers are corrupt. Can you lend any advise when using them? Thanks...

There was a very good recomendation on another thread of a taxi driver who is a former DM who was used like a tour guide of the island. It sounded alot better than renting a car and exploring on your own...

There are some very honest and hard working taxi drivers on the island. However, it is no secret that there are many that will scam you every chance they get.

Taxi Tips:
Ask the fare before you get in the cab.

Have small bills to pay them. One of my biggest scams they pull is to tell you they don't have change, whether you give them a 50 peso bill or a 200 peso bill. How can they not have change? They've been collecting cash all day long! If they do this, tell them you will wait for them to go get change, and do it. Don't give it to them as a tip.

Tipping the taxi's is not required nor customary for the locals. If you receive exceptional service or if you have luggage, then a tip is warranted.

If you think you are being overcharged, ask them to see the fare schedule.

In general, the taxi fares are determined my how many zones you cross and how many stops you make. If you are taking a taxi within the downtown area, you are in one zone and the fare should be no more than $2.00 USD or about $18 pesos for up to 2 people. Each additional person over two adds 5 pesos to your fare. There is also a surcharge for late night taxi rides of 5 pesos per person. If you ask the taxi to stop in more than one place, the fare starts again after each drop-off/pick-up.

Calling a taxi or taking a taxi from the base also adds 5 pesos to the fare.

Taking a taxi from the ferry pier or from any of the ship piers adds 5 to 10 pesos to the fare.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[sddiver]

As Christi has stated don't fall for the I don't have change BS. Most drivers are good, but several will play this game. Just last week I took a taxi from Caribe Blu to town to have breakfast at Casa Denis. I had him take me down A. Salas to the side entrance to the plaza by Prima. The fare is 30 pesos. I only had a 50 peso note. He gave me the no change story. So I told him, don't worry I'll get change. So I walked over to the Bancomer? branch where there was a line of at least 25-30 locals waiting to get in the door never mind those inside.(Just post Ivan, the bank was closed on Monday) I stood at the end of the line for perhaps a minute, when he surprisingly came up with the 20 pesos in hand to get his fare. I said nothing, but lowered my sunglasses and gave him a look over the frames- Priceless

Pinche Taxistas

Rich

 

[ShakaZulu]

I love third world countries, so you guys are going to stop the corruption hey??? Nice, call me when it happens.

 

[Hank49]

I love third world countries, so you guys are going to stop the corruption hey??? Nice, call me when it happens.

The good side of police corruption is that when you really DO something bad, you can also buy your way out of it. For this reason I"ll probably never go back to live in the states. Corruption can be a good thing.

 

[ShakaZulu]

The good side of police corruption is that when you really DO something bad, you can also buy your way out of it. For this reason I"ll probably never go back to live in the states. Corruption can be a good thing.

I agree, having had an experience where we had to pay off the cops. Rather do that than go to jail. Besides, the cops in San Diego are nuts, they will shoot you if you have a stick in your hand??? (Now see, there will probably be a San Diego cop on this board, oh well).

 

[ggunn]

The good side of police corruption is that when you really DO something bad, you can also buy your way out of it. For this reason I"ll probably never go back to live in the states. Corruption can be a good thing.

I lived in Peru for a while, and I came to a similar conclusion. Down there, payoff was the norm, but it was above board and the same for everybody. In the States, payoff is still often the norm, but before the money changes hands there is a poker game of denial and assessment of what the traffic will bear so as to maximize the amount of money paid.

That said, I had a friend who was busted in South America (Colombia, I believe) for a small amount of pot that was planted on him. His family eventually got him out, but it took them three years and it nearly bankrupted them. If he had been in the States and even if he were not innocent of the charge, it would have been much cheaper and he probably wouldn't have done any jail time.

 

[DennisS]

The good side of police corruption is that when you really DO something bad, you can also buy your way out of it. For this reason I"ll probably never go back to live in the states. Corruption can be a good thing.

Pay quickly and go. The more ranks that get involved the higher the price. Patrolmen are cheaper than Sgts., Sgts cheaper than Capts and Capts cheaper than judges.

 

[Otter]

I agree, having had an experience where we had to pay off the cops. Rather do that than go to jail. Besides, the cops in San Diego are nuts, they will shoot you if you have a stick in your hand??? (Now see, there will probably be a San Diego cop on this board, oh well).

Well Gilligan is retired San Diego P.D.

 

[Hank49]

I love third world countries, so you guys are going to stop the corruption hey??? Nice, call me when it happens.

It is amazing. Having grown up in America I was shocked at the accepted level of corruption in a SE Asian country I spent time in. Then you just get used to it because you aren't going to change it. Getting angry at someone is the worst thing you can do. I would see other Americans or Europeans come in and you would see a trend. For the first three months it was like, "wow, this is so beautiful and cool". Then from there to about four years or so it was "this stinking place. Why are they like this. In America...or, "in England...". Then if the gripers survived up to about three to five years, they just started to accept the place for what it is and stop comparing. Get used to it. A country isn't going to change for you. That was my experience. Hank

 

[ColdH2OisNot4Me]

Random thoughts on corruption/extortion:

I much prefer the legalized corruption/extortion we have in the United States. "We are very concerned about you surviving an accident and want you to wear a seat belt...that's why we are going to fine you $75 during our Spring fundraiser called Click-It or Ticket". Here's a true observation: There was a police officer standing at a light that precedes a turn into a shopping mall the day after Thanksgiving. He had pre-filled tickets for failure to wear a safety belt and would check the cars while stopped at the light. Someone wasn't wearing a seatbelt and *boom* instant ticket...Merry Christmas.

O.J. Simpson proved that the United States has the best legal system money can buy.

No one actually owns real estate in the United States...they are merely renting it from the government...care to disagree? Just miss one property tax payment and they have the right to find a new tenant that can pay the outstanding "rent".

There is corruption everywhere. Injustices everywhere. But at least I live in an unjust and corrupt society where I can voice my dissatisfaction without too much fear of reprisal :11: .