www.CostaRicaTicas.com

In case you havent read my rather lengthy TR:
Walking thru the park on the way from Sleep Inn to SL last week about 7pm, 2 wings (60 yrs old each) and I were stopped by the police on our way and asked for passports. We didnt have them but I did show a license. They seemed cool with it even drinking from my wings flask and laughing with us as we joked and they searched my wings pockets. When it was all done (maybe 5-10 min) we were getting on our way and my wing checked his money clip and noticed 2 fifty dollar bills he had on top were gone. When he told me, the cop who stole it asked me in Spanish what he said and if he had a problem to which I responed, "no problem". The thieving cop then said to me that there were alot of drugs in that park and maybe my friend had cocaine. (my take was that he would plant coke on him) I again said there was no problem and we left walking to SL, warning everyone along the way.
We reported the incident the next day at the local station, they said they take it very seriously and that they would investigate. I explained that I knew nothing would come of it as it was his word against the cops but to tell them to knock that shit off with tourists. They assured me it would be dealt with and we left.
So just a warning, be careful walking thru the park with any cash on you while the police are out "trolling er patrolling". LOL
Pura Vida,

Jac

Sounds like a good example to provide to the Costa Rica Tourist Board?????

Sorry to hear that kind of crap is still going on in "pairofdice"... and of course for your friend's loss. I take it you had the guys' names when you made the report on the following day.

Which park were you walking through, Morozan or Espana?

Flaco

7PM! You were just asking for it. Life definitely changes after dark on the streets of SJ.Sorry for your loss. Newbies take note.

During my Dec/Jan trip I walked through Parque Espana just about every night between the hours of 8 pm and 10 pm. No doubt, there were definitely more police in this park than I had seen in past trips....I would see anything from a pair of cops to clusters of up to 8 of them.....usually just standing around talking to each other and checking their cellphones. I can honestly say that none of them ever gave me so much as a second look during my entire month long stay.

Remember to make a copy of your main passport page along with your visa page and put them in your pocket before hitting the streets of San Jose. It will spare you a lot of grief if you get stopped by the police.

While I don't agree that "you were asking for it", walking the streets after dark does bring out the scumbags, criminal AND cops. The risks of something jumping off is much higher, not worth it. Cab it.

Quite rite...I'm no bad ass but at the same time get giddy at the prospect of a fight, and I don't even troll around to far at night. CR isn't America, all that means is you shouldn't have any sense of entitlement to have your safety taken for granted..
I'm not saying to be all paranoid either, but if it goes down its gonna be on you..




Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

Someone needs to read my post about getting robbed by the police and please pay attention. I am an experienced operator here in CR and was robbed at gunpoint by those F$!ks with my own piece. I always tell guys, if there are not a lot of people on the street it is better you don't walk. PERIOD.



the DR

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“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity"

BD, When we reported it, they knew the guys who were on duty in the park at that time and our description was good. We didnt ask for their names after the threat to plant cocaine.

Flaco, Park was the one directly across the street from The Sleep Inn if you left out the back, not sure what it's called.

Versatile, "Asking for it", really? Scenario: Just after sunset, people all over the streets and 15 years of experience in CR. I will mention this is my first altercation albeit not the 1st time or the 101st time i've walked this path. Yes there is risk involved in everything we do but c'mon man, 3 big athletic guys, who weren't drunk passing some cops on a Sunday early evening in a well lit area with lotsa foot traffic and "we asked for it"? I will have to agree to disagree with you here.

Zebra, only grief was my wing minus his cien.

Cujo, I'm no bad ass either if a gun is involved but all 3 of us are over 6 foot, 200 plus lbs, 2 of the 3 of us are fitness nuts, each well versed in the street (not Central America) but street is street. I grew up in Miami and was part of the 80's fast cash scene. I still know places I can and cant go and my wings grew up in San Fran with similar experiences. Each of us are well traveled in 3rd world countries always using common sense and being careful. I would expect a street punk or a tranny if in fact there was going to be a problem but again, there are alot easier targets out there than us but in retrospect, we obviously didn't consider that cops would rob us in a toursit area so we let our guard down a bit. Lesson learned and I will taxi it from now on if its after dark. I'm just glad it was a sneaky robbery and not overt or it could have gotten ugly. Anyway, this post was to inform those who have walked or will walk that path to limit the cash in their wallets and carry a copy of their passport and don't trust ANYONE!

JACORET QUOTE:

"....Flaco, Park was the one directly across the street from The Sleep Inn if you left out the back, not sure what it's called."



Parque Espana

That's why the locals call them "Policia perro's".

You can avoid them taking your money by not giving it to them in the first place. I was twice searched in a bad neighborhood at night and I keep my money in my right hand. The police asked me what was in my hand and I replied, "money". Nothing else was said.

If they ask to search you then, remove all the contents of your pockets yourself keeping your cash in your hand. This has worked for me twice walking and 6 times driving.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

That really sucks and I am going to take more notice even though I walk through that park all the time. I have done it a few times late, but most of the time have not been worried up to 8 or so. I don't generally carry a lot of cash, but will be sure to watch the money in the future. Make sure I always have the passport also. And I might be wrong, but this is another story that reinforces my belief that I do not want to be walking downtown with other gringos. I think a group of gringos gets attention more than walking along alone. Sorry it happened to you, but good on you for going to the police. If more people reported it, it might make a little difference. This is always covered up in other news sources down here. Might have to do an article in several different versions and spread the police thing around a bit.

Come on Cujo lighten up we all know your just a lovable purse poodle