That's right, Tijuana is a lot safer than many places in the US. I believe it's been reported that TJ Cops have got their guns back according to the news last week. Yes the TJ Police might ask to search you if you look out of place, or fit their profile of a drunk American, who might possibly have drugs or prescription drugs without the prescription. Yes they are doing their job making Tijuana safer, but will line their pockets when the right opportunity presents itself to them.
If you did nothing wrong most of the time the TJ cops will let you go. It's just a minor annoyance but you'll be on your way in a minute or two. I believe it's overblown or just down right BULLSHIT, that the cops are planting things on people, or shaking them down and stealing money from them for no reason. You'll see over-the-top stories from mongers on some of these sites. The TJ Cops really don't have to resort to making things up, as their are always tourist and locals breaking petty laws like being drunk in public, pissing on the sidewalk, or carrying illegal drugs, or drugs they say require a prescription......It's like 'shooing fish in a barrel' for them.
Since the new year I been to Tijuana three times, and each time it's been getting better and better as more and more girls return. The girls went home for the holidays, sometimes very far away, and it just takes time for them to get back to Tijuana.[ even when the picking were slim, I still found me 'nice pussy.'}
I think the confusion over the new 'passport' rules has kept a few Americans away from visiting Mexico. I seriously doubt police shakedown stories are keeping away the tourists from Mexico and Tijuana. It's has always been common knowledge that Tijuana police are corrupt and they accept bribes.
The only place you hear about police shakedown with such frequency is on 'Prostitution sex forums' where they write about police corruption in Tijuana more than they write about getting laid.