Originally Posted by
adbrite
and that you grimace at the thought of going to the police even after a crime has been committed on you, because you suspect the police will just perpetuate more scams on you?
I try to avoid any contact whatsoever with police both at home and abroad. There are a lot of "bad apples" that abuse their authority and can make your life hell for profit, on a whim, or to justify their existence. That's true whether you're in New York or Nicaragua. Sadly, I've heard, read, and told enough anecdotes to know that there are more bad apples than you'd like to think.
It's generally better to avoid the police, even as a law abider -- especially when you're travelling and have the disadvantage of being a foreigner.
Great post, OP.
peace,
~Ben~