Very important information on security in Lima Peru.

I am curently in Peru and of my many trips here I have encounered my first problem in Miraflores.

I had 2 police officers stop me. After 30 minutes or so they walked away with 500 soles of my money. That is around $140.00 American. The next morning I woke in a rage. I have always felt 100% safe in Miraflores and suddenly my paradise was gone. Without the long drawn out story.....

I spoke to the hotel manager and he was as angry as I. He would file a complaint with the authorities also. Spoke to a friend who is a manager at a restaurant in Pizza Alley. She went above and beyond. Within 10 minutes she had the head of Miraflores security and the lawyer who represents all the business in Pizza Alley present. The lawyer met me at the police station the next day and my next 2 visits I made there. He was a great help. End of the story, I have been very impressed with everyone in this district. There are determined to keep Miraflores safe for all.

If you decide to visit Lima. Remember this. The police in Miraflores have off green colored uniforms. The cars they drive have green and red lights. The security, which are nothing more than authority figures wear brown uniforms and have blue lights on their vehicles. The security (brown uniforms and blue lights ) if your driving a vehicle and they use their lights in an apparent attempt to stop you IGNORE IT!!!! You have no reason to stop and infact you can even speed away and there is nothing they can do.

In my case it was 2 official police using an security vehicle, but still did not need to stop. I just wish I had known that earlier.

The police also are taking this manner serious. I identified the 2 officers, filed an official statement and they are in the process of terminating the officers and will then file criminal charges.

I will post a better report soon.

ECD

Thats nasty. Be careful. $140 bucks in the whole scheme of things is sometimes not worth the trouble.

Eastcoastdude,
Good job! Thanks.

Luckybiegs - his effort will go a long way to prevent that $140 loss again for him, you, me, and many others. And he probably feels much better about that area overall.
- well worth the trouble!

Tryer.. hear you loud and clear. In foreign countries I try to avoid any encounters with the police for any reason. While it sucks to be screwed for $140, one may not know how connected these policemen are and how that might affect one's safety. Kudos should be awarded to ECDude for doing it.

¿Cuanto hay?

Eastcoastdude,

Thanks for sharing your experience.

When I attended Spanish language classes at El Sol in Miraflores, one of the instructors warned us about police corruption and the shake down of citizens (¿Cuanto hay?). The instructor also emphasized the need to identify the uniform whenever we're stopped by someone who we believe is a police officer.

I've never been stopped by the police. A friend of mine (gringa) told me she just acts stupid whenever she's stopped. When they ask "¿Cunato hay?" - she smiles and gives them some candy that she always carry in her purse. When they frown and get mad, she says she just smiles and gives them more candy. I wonder if this will work for me?

Might... if you carry a lot of candy in your purse...

E

Sorry for the long delay on the update. I spent 5 weeks in Peru visited many cities. Lima, Paracas, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Iquitos and Cusco. For now just want to update on the corrupt police.

I want to give details so everyone can be fully prepared. I had a similar problem in Costa Rica and always carry money in 2 places. NEVER in my wallet. I have even put money in my socks. If your walking the streets I feel like tourist's are safe. In my case I had rented a car and left Pizza Alley around 3AM. After the police had seen my passport, papers for the car rental and my drivers license they asked me to come to their car. They did return all the documents to me. One police officer was talking to me, the other to the girl setting in my car. He kept asking for more documents. I had none and kept stating that. Finally I turned my pants pockets inside out, no mas documentos, I had 100 soles ($30.00 American) in left hand. As soon as the office spotted the 100 soles he grabbed it from my hand. I made no motions of offering it to the officer. These officers made around 700.00 soles per MONTH so it was not chump change to them. They continued to ask for more documents. I took my wallet out and showed them I had no more documents. The officer was so bold so greedy he actually moved papers around in my wallet looking for more "documents" The officer turned my wallet over tapped on my credit cards and said "Banco 100 dollars American" I was stunned and furious. 1 card was my ATM but I convinced them they were credit cards and not an ATM card. I felt that would be the end of everything. WRONG!!! They asked for more "documents" At this point I was very concerned for my safety. I had more money in my back pocket and tried to pull out a couple of bills but was unsuccessful. Around 400 soles in my right hand and stated "no mas documetos" The office grabbed the money from my hand. After all of this these bastards then began to warn me about the girl. She was a prostitute and could drug me, take all of my money (like I had more on me) or even murder me. Mentally I was slapping this jerk, but verbally thanking him for the information.

I feel very confident the Investigation officer and the Commandant in Miraflores were as angry as I and wanted the corruption to stop. I had to identify the 2 officers. FYI should you decide to do this it can be very intimidating. I first identified the officers from file photos. The next morning in person. We stood in a parking lot outside the police barracks with the officers in a line. We meaning myself, my friend, the Prosecuting attorney, 2 investigating officers and the Commandant. I had to walk up within 20 feet and point to the officers. YES I was very nervous and scared but my anger won. I was certain of one, the other a little doubt. It was the same 2 I had identified in the photos. I spent the next 3 hours at the station. My friend was questioned 3 times about what the American wanted. He told them I was very angry about the police stealing my money.

I returned the next day for an official statement. Once again my friend was approached and asked if my money was returned would I forget everything. NOT!!!! Too late now!!!

I made a trip to Cusco and Iquitos. Once I returned to Lima I had a citation waiting for me. I needed to answer some specific questions for the Fiscalia De La Nacion, National Police. They needed more information for their investigation. This was the criminal process and helped in making the decision as to filing criminal charges against the officers. Obviously I did so.

I then left for Trujillo and Chiclayo. I asked my friends to contact the media. I wanted to keep pressure on the police and be certain they took the case seriously. I was a tourist and would return to the states but if criminal charges were filed I WILL return to Peru for the trial. They did VERY well. My first day back I met with Doctora Rosario, AKA Doctor Law. When Doctor Law speaks Lima listens. Before I knew it I was on National radio and spent an hour talking about the case. Many phone calls from people and Lima is furious. They contacted a high ranking officer in the National Police and he assured me and everyone in Lima this case will be taken serious and is under investigation. After the show we had dinner with the Rosario. She recommended a good lawyer and also educated me on the Peruvian laws.

I have an attorney who will follow the case, pressure the police and inform me of their decision. If the court date is set I can change that date to something more convenient for my return. This lawyer also informed me that if the officers are found guilty I have a civil case that can be filed.

It's very rewarding to know I may have started some real change in that city. Many friends hope the people in Lima now understand there are honest police in Lima and my courage will set an example and many will follow. I also ask any Hombre members who experience the same problem to strike back. Sacrifice some of your time and help make these places safer for all.

About the candy thing, Too each their own but I am an obvious gringo and see no possiblities of that working. I feel confident it may be putting yourself in a very dangerous situtation. During dinner with the Doctora she told me about another case. A famous Bullfighter from Spain was stopped and apparently the police tried to shake him down also. He was drunk, go ignorant and violent. The end result was he was taken to a secluded place and beaten to death.

I will post a report about the cities I visited. Can be a little help.

I hope you thought this out...All the way out.

It's good to stand your ground, to stand up for what's wrong "the police robbery".

Just remember that these cop's work with muggers, rapist, and killers, every day and accidents do happen to tourists.

Good luck and please be real carefull when you return to Peru.

You're a brave man Eastcoastdude.

I'd like to echo Roadglide's warning to be careful. There was a case a few years ago in New Orleans, Louisiana when a woman complained to officials about a corrupt cop. The cop hired a hitman and the woman was killed.

Anda con cuidado, Eastcoastdude.

You're a man who has given excellent advice on Peru on this board and, from my past interactions with you, appear to be a true gentleman. I think that it's great that you're standing up for your (and our) rights, but - PLEASE - be careful!

Roadglide and Yujin are absolutely correct in warning you on your safety. Perhaps, you have already done your duty by spotting these policemen out. In your case, I believe that safety may be the better part of valor ... and you may want to reconsider a return trip to Peru -or- take extra precaution when you do return.

Please stay safe, mi amigo.

-play274

Good job! But like the others said, be careful. You seem to be well familiar with Peru and well traveled in general. While honorable, I don't think I could advise this course of action to your average person. Safety should be the first concern for most travelers.

Looking forward to your repors. Be sure to post them to keep us updated and so we know you're still OK.

Good Job! I hope they throw those guys in jail, dont be intimidated, corrupt officials need to learn that they should think twice before shaking down a tourist.

You might want to consider hiring an armed security guard on your next business trip (cheap in the grand scheme of things and I'll bet your company would pay for it under the circumstances). Afterall, these people have very short memories and the headlines in the newspapers change everyday.

I agree with the others. While I applaude your willingness to stand up to corruption, just remember, "you aren't in Kansas anymore"

The local big wigs are getting lots of media play out of your plight. Their names in the papers, siding with a wronged American tourist, making a big deal out of police corruption etc. Theirs is a political agenda to keep their names in the press. And; The press needs new fresh stories everyday!

Ask yourself; Would they still be your friends and willing to come to your aid if you got caught with planted drugs or an underage girl with a fake ID?

Lastly, most of us can decide where we want to monger. You """HAVE""" to go there on business...and frequently! Just be safe buddy. Rather see ya posting reports and pics than pushing up daisies!

It is OK to be a little paranoid. Does all of us good to stay on our toes (or maybe I am just becoming seasoned in Rio?).

Abraco,

Sandman

P.S. Epi,

Your purse comment had MBFARONTFLOL....we gotta meet someday buddy!

One cynic to another...eh?

Hi guys;
I have to admit i was kind of restless on this Peru trip i took back in June. after all, i was aware of the social unrest it went through the '80-'90's. there were ciertainly anguished times dealing specially with a ruthless guerrilla movement (MRTA-SHINNING PATH). my friend told me not to worry and have a good time. to admit it, i was pleasantly surprized. saw security everywhere i went in Lima. never have any problems at night, also took advice from my friend and was wise not to go to ciertain parts of town at night. maybe 'cause i'm not blonde w/blue eyes and i speak fluent spanish i kind of melted with the crowd that helped me lots. anyways, like this town a lot and would love coming back in the future to enjoy it more.///