Shakedown

I try to drive into town as little as possible because you never know when a police officer is going to stop you at one of the many checkpoints and shake you down for some spending money. After several of these episodes (didn’t give any $), I finally agreed to paint the word “Ambulance” across the side of our Renault 18 station wagon since health workers are usually left alone. We weren’t asked to stop at a checkpoint for quite a while but were once accosted by a police officer driving around the city with his moped who tried to get us to cough up a few $. He threatened to take the vehicle, which I resignedly agreed to let him do. I guess I called his bluff because after repeatedly yelling and screaming that he was going to take our car with no change in my answer, he suddenly drove off on his moped. We waited several minutes in case he was coming back, but I could see him a little ways down the road stopping another vehicle, so we just drove off. I guess someone else was going to pay for his groceries…
Funny after the fact, but stressful and unpleasant in the moment!

It was my 31st birthday on the 25th of May and on my way back from town, I decided to take someone’s advice (can’t remember who… Luc?) and bring a cold soft-drink to each of the four police officers on the road back to Niaguis. Omar, our plumber and buddy, was driving and I was busy congratulating myself on such a genius plan. I was just thinking to myself “We may never get stopped again” when the cop waved us over. I couldn’t believe it! Omar got out and shmoozed with the guy as he ‘angrily’ demanded our papers and his license. Omar said “C’mon, I’ll give you a cold beverage to enjoy.” The cop immediately said, “Yes, give it to me”. I handed Omar a Sprite, which he then handed to the officer, who opened it and began drinking as he walked away. Omar took a Fanta (think orange pop... a Senegalese favourite) to the other cop and we were on our way. What a bummer! The one time I had something to give, the cop stopped us and it ended up being a bribe! At least the two officers at the next checkpoint didn’t stop us and were grateful for the drink and the gesture.

Maybe we need to try painting “Police” on the vehicle…

A sampling of Senegalese currency... the object of the officers' affections. I'm told the typical bribe is around 2000CFA. A sprite costs 500CFA, so we still came out ahead. $1Cdn is worth about 450CFA.