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Article #14 POLICE/MILITARY ISSUES - What About Them?

by Jim Jaillet - Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved

In Article #1, CENTRAL AMERICA: You Can Do It!, we discussed the
importance of planning. This aspect of planning will help you to experience
your trip with MINIMUM POLICE/MILITARY PROBLEMS!

Police in Mexico and Central America can yield a fair amount of
authority. Probably the best advice I can give you, just like in the
United States, avoid interfacing with them whenever possible. An
exception to this rule is the Tourist Police who operate in the bigger
cities and tourist areas to provide assistance. However, my own
personal experience with local police, with only a couple of exceptions,
was good. I found them helpful and polite.

In general, the farther away you get from large cities, the fewer the
policemen. In many villages you may find only one policeman who may or
may not ride a bicycle for transportation to assist him with his duties.
In the smaller villages there will most likely be no policeman. Unlike
the United States where we are accustomed to a County Sheriff with
roaming deputies, this system does not exist in Mexico and Central
America. In some countries, along the Inter-America (Pan American)
Highway, you may see an occasional Highway Patrolman in a car, a
definite rarity.

CHECKPOINTS, both police and military, (other than narrow and terrible
roads) manifest as the major difference regarding driving in Mexico and
Central America. You cannot avoid them and the best you can do is
experience them as "just another cultural experience!" They will
frequently locate at major road intersections. What an experience
looking at the machine guns pointed in your general direction,
positioned along the side of the road, as your rig is being inspected!
On my 343 day trip, returning North through Mexico, I experienced 26
checkpoints. The availability of drugs in Eastern Costa Rica resulted in
checkpoints every 10 miles for a period of time.

Unfortunately, every checkpoint acts as if this was the very first
checkpoint, with no comprehension that you passed through several
checkpoints that day or that you just went through a checkpoint 20
minutes ago, 10 miles back up the road. By the time I finished my total
trip in excess of 16,000 miles, the checkpoints, just like the potholes,
were really starting to get old! Because of the unique style of an RV, I
can virtually assure you that every checkpoint you come upon will direct
you to stop. You should always keep your documents in a place where you
can readily find them and present them for inspection. I kept mine in a
plastic envelope beside my driver's seat. They will usually want to
inspect both your documents and vehicle(s).

A couple of tips I discovered helpful:

* I try to limit the number of inspectors in my rig to just one by
saying: "Solo uno, por favor." They will usually comply. You really want
to avoid being with one inspector and have a couple of others looking
around your rig when you cannot watch them. The inspections are usually
cursory, supposedly looking for guns and drugs, more curiosity than
really looking to find something. However, the stories tell of how they
actually will plant drugs in vehicles.

* Avoid speaking fluent Spanish, if you can. Not hard for me! When you
do speak, say as little as possible. With a smile on my face, I just
keep repeating "Lo siente, no entiende. habla poco espanol" (I'm sorry,
I do not understand, I speak little Spanish), purposely using the wrong
tenses of words. With the same big smile, I just keep repeating these
words over and over. In my experience they soon become frustrated and
wave me on my way.

* They may ask you for a cold beer or soda. If my encounter went
smoothly, I generally give them one, a small price to pay for no
problems. If they do not ask, I do not offer.

One final comment about the military. On your first encounters you will
likely feel concern at their number, young age, and how large their guns
appear. They will most likely give you a feeling of fear. Just realize
their job is to protect you!

Don't miss the next installment "ROAD/INSURANCE ISSUES - What About
Them?" in which I'll discuss the considerations for avoiding road and
insurance problems. Stay tuned and remember my promise at the beginning
of Article #1.................................................................. YOU CAN DO IT!
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Jim Jaillet is a full-time RVer, Adventurer and Author of PANAMA OR BUST - A 343
day adventure in a motorhome!

You can claim your copy of my book for only $19.95 at www.panamaorbust.com

I'd love to hear what you thought of this Article #14, POLICE/MILITARY ISSUES,
What about them? Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for upcoming articles
to me at jimj@panamaorbust.com

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Disclaimer: The author in no way can guarantee your safety in Central America. After all
they are Third World countries and not without danger or the possibility of death. You go
at your own risk. The author is only suggesting that with some planning, common sense and
caution you may minimize your potential dangers and be rewarded with countless cultural
experiences. :)