Panama security, crime, safety tips
Panama
Emergency Numbers:
Police
62-6963
Fire 103
Ambulance (Hospital Santo Tomas) 25-1436
Panama
Street Crime
There
is a moderate but growing level of crime in the Panama
City and Col ón areas, and police checkpoints have become
commonplace on weekends there. Based upon reported incidents,
the high-crime
areas around Panama City are Chorillo, Ancon,
Curundu, Vera Cruz Beach, Panama Viejo, and the Madden Dam
overlook. Crimes there are typical of those that plague metropolitan
areas
and range from rape to armed robberies, muggings, purse snatchings, "quick-naps" from
ATM banking facilities (in which the victim is briefly kidnapped
after withdrawing cash from an ATM and robbed), and petty
theft. Panama has seen an increase in the number of crimes
in which
unlawful weapons were used, as well as an increase in arrests
for possession of illegal weapons. There has been a substantial
increase in incidents of armed violence in metropolitan areas.
The loss or theft abroad of a passport should be reported immediately
to the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate of the
country from which the passport was issued.
Police and Crime
Airport theft is common, and the traveler should not ride in
unauthorized taxis or share one with a stranger.  Demonstrations
occasionally occur with anti-U.S. sentiment and are typically
nonviolent. However, one is advised to avoid such demonstrations.
The police are generally helpful. Punishment for crime (especially
drug trafficking) is severe.
Safety
Tips
Take basic precautions against crime, especially at night. A
few elementary precautions should protect the traveler from most
problems:
--Do not leave valuables in cars or on tables in cafes.
--Keep nonessential valuables locked in hotel safes when not
in use.
--Use credit cards and traveler's checks when possible to avoid
carrying large sums of cash.
--Carry photocopies of your passport instead of the original.
--Carry cash in a money belt, and use credit cards or traveler's
checks for most of your large transactions.
--Walk with your bag away from the street to avoid having it
snatched away by motorcycle thieves.
--Never carry a stranger's baggage.
--Women should avoid traveling alone at night.
--Never exchange money in the street or carry a package for a
stranger.
7
General Safety Tips especially for Travellers
--Prearrange
transportation for your arrival. In many countries, hagglers
and touts will approach you at the airport offering transportation
options.
If you have none, decline and find the transportation booth in the airport;
or, if possible, befriend someone on your flight with whom you might share
a cab.
--If you are being dropped off in an unlit area, ask your driver to wait until
you are safely inside. Women should avoid traveling alone at night.
--Find out from your hotel staff where it is safe to go alone and what areas
merit avoiding.
--If you plan on meeting with a stranger, do it in a busy place outside of
your hotel.
--If you encounter someone gesturing or honking for you to stop, do not stop
until you have found a busy public place with plenty of lighting before determining
the problem.
--If you find yourself on a crowded bus, subway, or train with a male pressing
up against you in an obviously sexual way, try embarrassing him by shouting
in English. Public shame or humiliation will often keep further advances at
bay.
--Try and look for other women to sit near on public transport. If you feel
uncomfortable in any situation, get out of it.
10 Hotel Safety Tips
--Women
should ask for a room on the second floor or higher and near
the center of the hallway corridor away from fire exits
where would-be assaulters can lurk and escape with more ease.
--Don't feel shy about asking to see your room before deciding
to take it.
--Do not let anyone except the front desk clerk see or overhear
the number of your room.
--Do not show your room key in public, and keep it under tight
security.
--Avoid stairwells, an easy place for assaulters to hide, and
don't travel in elevators alone with male strangers about whom
your
instincts send you a warning bell. If a stranger is wandering
the halls when you plan to enter or exit your room, wait until
he leaves. If he doesn't, report him to the front desk.
--Do
not open the door for anyone who knocks whom you do not expect.
Use the peephole. Call the front desk if necessary to
verify
the presence of any hotel staff wishing to enter.
--When leaving the room, put out the "do not disturb" sign,
and leave the TV on if you wish to deter possible thieves.
--Pack a flashlight should the lights suddenly go out.
--Take the business card of your hotel before going out in case
you get lost. Do not give out the name of your hotel unless absolutely
necessary, and do not share with anyone that you are alone. Use
your creativity and make up a story if you must.
--Always lock
the door when you are inside the room. A portable extra door-locking
device may prove a prudent pre-trip purchase.
A rubber door stopper is also an easy item to pack.
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