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Violent Crimes Increase against Gringos

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panamajames
  11/15/2014 11:16 EST

There seems to be an increase in violent crimes in places where North Americans frequent --

lapapuja
  11/15/2014 15:05 EST

Always increases this time of year. Starting with the November holidays and goes through Semana Santa. Be very cautious when out and about. People that follow you, follow very closely for no apparent reason, people that try to engage you in odd conversation, don't go places alone with no other people around if you can help it, don't carry all your cash in one place/pocket, carry an old phone to give a thief to save your good one, and if you are a tourist, please, please do not stand on a corner with a guide book or map and look around like you don't know where you are. Walk to the nearest place you can sit with people around you and act like you know what you are doing. Lots more tops I could give but I will let others share some.

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iguanalover
  11/15/2014 15:52 EST

Thanks to both of you for reminding us of the rules of the road. I would add two things:

1. leave your expensive cell phones at home and do not wave them around if you do carry them.

2. don't stand in the middle of streets taking pictures with your ipad. They really draw attention.

Also, lock your doors from the inside when you are home.

Oldcameraman
  11/15/2014 15:55 EST

Thanks iguanalover for a good summary. May I add: Do the same things you should be doing at home in NYC, Denver or Toronto...... Just because we're in a "vacation" atmosphere for many, doesn't mean we should do something really dumb.

panamaexpat
  11/15/2014 18:10 EST

By reading the title of this thread I would have thought that all of these crimes were committed against gringos.
The attempted carjacking was against the girlfriend of the guy who was shot at midnight in PC.
The shooting on 50th St. also at night was totally unrelated to gringos.
Please let's try to be more objective about the thread titles.
I do know that David and Boquete are targets of robberies/violence against gringos. Thank you to all for all the info on this forum.

ranadelnorte
  11/16/2014 13:31 EST

Thanks for the clarification panamaexpat. Way too much rumour-mongering by some contributors to this forum.

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panamajames
  11/16/2014 14:10 EST

“Is it safe to live In Panama City?”. This question, cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.....Crime is much more prevalent in Panama City for Gringos than in the interior Provinces. Crimes plague metropolitan areas, and Panama City is unfortunately no exception.

Narcotics-trafficking and youth gang related violence:

Some cases have been reported of foreigners having become victims in these fights because they were wandering around in the wrong neighborhoods. Moreover, Panama City has more than 100 youth street gangs, that are involved in robbery, kidnapping, thefts, and drug dealing. Most kidnappings and thefts are carried out by minors.

You should stay away from Panama City’s high crime areas, that are home to youth and drug gangs: El Chorrillo, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Cabo Verde, Curundu, Veracruz, Santa Librada, Rio Abajo, San Miguelito, Panama Viejo, Calidonia, Tocumen, Juan Díaz, 24 de Diciembre, and the Madden Dam Overlook. You should also be careful in Casco Viejo. Whereas the main roads and attractions are somewhat safe and there is a police presence, you should not underestimate how quickly the neighborhood can change. Once you move away from the tip of the peninsula you enter high-density slums and many tourists have been victims to robbery there. Always stay on the main roads and do not move too far away from the tip. Avoid quiet sideroads in Casco Viejo, especially at night.

Thefts:

The number of thefts (purse-snatchings, thefts from autos, thefts of unsecured items, petty theft) in Panama has risen in the last few years. As in every city, crowded areas are extremely popular among thieves. Moreover, it is said that a lot of things are stolen on board of the diablos rojos, especially in the back benches. It happens in the new buses as well, as most of the diablos rojos have disappeared. On the crowded metro, keep an eye on your wallets and passports. A new trend among Panama City thieves seems to be stealing smart phones. In crowded areas they will just dig into your purse searching for your phone or slit your purse open and you will not even notice. Furthermore, I have heard that in places like Calle Uruguay (Panama City’s “party street”) women hugged men just to steal their cell phones out of their pocket. There are also cases reported, in which the victims were “doped” while at a bar and their belongings then stolen.

Mugging and Armed Robberies:
The use of weapons (such as handguns and knives) in street robberies, unfortunately, is common in Panama City. However, if the victim hands out all belongings, robbers usually do not harm him or her.
“Express Kidnapping”:
Anybody can become a victim of express kidnapping. The goal of express kidnapping is to obtain money quickly and promptly. This form of kidnapping is getting more popular as kidnappers want a quick payoff. The victim is abducted, in most cases after having withdrawn cash from an ATM, and all valuables (cell phones, watches, cash, jewelry etc.) are taken. Moreover, in many cases, the kidnappers then take their victims to several ATMs and force them to withdraw more money. Once the kidnapper is satisfied (s)he usually releases the abducted person. Many of the reported cases involved a taxi driver: The victim got into the taxi and quickly afterwards the driver stopped to pick up armed criminals, who then took the passenger to a variety of ATMs and forced him/her to withdraw money.
Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a Victim in Panama City:
As a foreigner in Panama, however, you might be of special interest to criminals, as foreigner to them means money. Therefore, you should always be careful and follow the tips below to avoid becoming a victim:
1. Stay out of the higher-crime “red zones” mentioned above, especially during nighttime.
2. Stay off deserted, dark streets.
3. Do not walk around by yourself at nighttime.
4. Always stay alert to your surroundings. If you see something that makes you uncomfortable and that might be suspicious, leave.
5. If you should get into the horrible situation of a street robbery, give everything you have to the criminal. None of your belongings can be worth more than your well-being.
6. Never leave anything valuable unattended in your car.
7. Keep a low personal profile: Do not walk around wearing expensive jewelry or anything else that says “I am a rich gringo, come and steal my things”
8. Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas, particularly in shopping areas such as Avenida Central and Calidonia, and always watch your belongings.
9. Do not carry a large amount of cash with you. Always only carry with you what you really need. Only take your credit card with you if you really need to.
10. Keep your smart phone on your person. Try to always cover it, e.g. with your shirt.
11. Be especially careful during quincenas: Panamanians get paid two times a month (15th and 30th). Thieves know that people are walking around with cash in their pockets during these days and become very active.
12. Avoid physical contact with strangers (beware of ladies suddenly hugging you while clubbing).
13. When going out: Watch your drink at all times and do not accept a drink from somebody you do not know.
14. When taking a diablo rojo, try to sit up front, hide your belongings and always stay alert to your surroundings.
15. Try to avoid taking a taxi by yourself at night. If you do, make sure to tell the driver not to pick up additional passengers (you might want to offer some extra cash). Do not get into a taxi that is already occupied. Do not let you direct to a particular taxi by a stranger.
16. Park in well-lit areas, that have security guards.
17. Use ATMs only during the day and in areas with a lot of people. Never use an ATM in a dark, remote area at nighttime.
18. Be very observant when handing someone your credit card and always pay close attention to the receipts before signing. Always revise your credit card bills and inform your bank immediately if you notice any unusual account movements.
19. In Panama you must have an ID with you at all times (law passed in 2008). In order to not carry your original passport with you, always have your national ID and a copy of your passport (including the page with the entry stamp on it) with you.
20. Monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

If you do become a victim of a crime in Panama
As in the United States, the emergency line in Panama is 911. You can reach the police directly by dialing 104. In Casco Viejo you find a special Tourist Police (Avenida Central and Calle 1, Tel.: (507) 527-9873) trained in language skills and experienced in situations involving tourists. You should also get in touch with your country’s embassy or consulate, that e.g. can help replacing a stolen passport etc. It is always a good idea to read your embassy’s security advice. However, keep in mind that they tend to be overly cautious sometimes.

Panama2017
  11/16/2014 15:27 EST

Gee, thanks for the lesson in common sense.

llseldon
  11/16/2014 15:47 EST

Ghee panamajames, I think you should take a break & go outside & enjoy the Panama beauty.

Oldcameraman
  11/16/2014 15:57 EST

An excellent response. I will share this with other sites to which I belong because I think you have organized the issues and response very clearly. Thanks very much.

panamajames
  11/16/2014 17:51 EST

You are very welcome Oldcameraman and delighted to hear that this common sense approach to visiting any foreign country, may be used to help others. I am also in the process of travelling to other countries, so all of this type of info is important to me and my family. For all of you visiting Panama, have a safe and happy journey..........

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Panama2017
  11/16/2014 18:05 EST

Thank you for sharing the correct source for the article that pj posted.

I am surprised that the publish date wasn't from the early 2000s since it is similar to the information that I taught my children back then.

But, if the forum sees value in this outdated information then so be it. Carry on pj.

panamaexpat
  11/16/2014 18:26 EST

PJames according to you "Crime is much more prevalent in Panama City for Gringos than in the interior Provinces". Where are the statistics/reports to support your affirmation? Please,show the numbers, data and sources of crimes committed against gringos in Boquete, San Crlos, Gorgona, etc etc)

Again, the 23 year old (Venezuelan born but raised in PC) shot at midnight in El Cangeejo got into a fight with another guy who wanted to steal his girlfriend's car. (Not a gringo-related incident).

The guy who was shot in Calle 50: seems that he was from a South American country and it was a drug related shoot-out. (not a gringo related incident).

For everyone's info in case u aren't familiar with PC: the areas described by PJames (Calidonia, etc) are slums where I have never heard of a "gringo" involved in any violent crime, as and I say very HOPEFULLY no gringos need to come to Panama to live in a slum. I have seen slums in NY, Washinton, D.C., Chicago and other USA cities, and the measures I would take in USA are no different to the ones I take in PC or any other city for that matter. As someone else in this thread said, it is only a matter of common sense.

Again, only trying to not mislead current or expats-to-be, as the title of this thread is very specific about violent crimes against gringos.

Trust me, "gringos" are targeted more in the interior than in PC (starting from Coronado, down to San Carlos, all the way down to david and Boquete) which have become the places for gringos to retire to.

Transportation: FYI, Panama has a metro which was inaugurated not more than a year ago, and the metrobus, both systems replaced the diablos rojos (taking off the roads in 2012/2013) mentioned by PJ, so that subject is OBE. Now some people who travel to/from Chorrera and Arraijan are using the green buses but again if gringos are to use them, I would expect they use common sense.

That said, please let's be objective and not mislead people who read this forum.

panamajames
  11/16/2014 23:57 EST

https://aircriticalcare.com/air-ambulance/north-america/panama/boquete

There are 2 ambulances that I see every day at the Bomberos or Fire Department, and some days there are 3. There are also three different services in Boquete alone. MINSA, Caja de Seguro Social, and the Bomberos. There is a local type of 911 service in Boquete at 6477-6662 where Rodny is on duty 24/7 in English and in Spanish, and an actual 911 emergency service in nearby Dolega.

A new modern, fully equipped Policlinica is being built in Alto Boquete with a helicopter pad and bilingual staff to be employed. My friend’s husband had a health emergency, not an accident, and the ambulance from the Bomberos came, gave onsite help, and transported him to a medical facility. Rodny does contact emergency services and will guide the Bomberos to your home using your Resident ID. If one ambulance is in David, they do try to keep one on duty in Boquete, for whatever might come up.

Rodny at Alto Al Crimen called the Bomberos to come and lift a friend’s husband off the floor, because he was weak after surgery and couldn’t get up by himself. They came in 10 minutes with an ambulance. They were wonderful, and they obviously respond to more than just car accidents. They never even asked if this was an accident or a medical problem. They just showed up and helped. My neighbor’s gardener got bitten by a Fer de Lance snake, and they took him by ambulance to David. Thank you Rodny!

lapapuja
  11/17/2014 05:52 EST

Read it all, pick out the information useful to you, and set aside the rest. Or add to/clarify the information. just my suggestions.

lapapuja
  11/17/2014 05:54 EST

There are still Diablo rojos out there, just not as many.

splainin
  11/17/2014 10:05 EST

Panamaexpat, when line 2 of the Metro is operational in early 2019, it will be possible to travel from Albrook bus terminal/mall to Tocumen airport safely and quickly for less than $1.00. Amazing, considering what a taxi ride would cost for the same, but longer, trip: $40.00 to $50.00.

shawnnn
  11/17/2014 10:19 EST

I was shot in a robbery. Of course I lived. When I went to the proscecutors office to pursue identification of the bad guys he said. Whats the big deal, you lived didnt you?
WTF
Thats why I like Panama so much. Live and let live.

golric
  11/17/2014 10:50 EST

It is true. There was something happening in Calle 50 a week ago. The El Cangrejo was a robbery that became a crime when the young adult tried to defend his girlfriend. This happened a few weeks ago. Not an old news. the father of the boy that was killed came in TV all covered as he did not wanted his face to be shown. He said that El Cangrejo restaurants are being targeted because there is lots of tourist and/or foreigners and that means money and electronic devices. that is the perception of the thieves. In the case of the young adult they do not know if it was the car (SUV) the Iphone or to take girl to be kidnapped and god only knows.

I do appreciate Panama James and anyone that gives news about crimes in Pty City or the interior. We cannot go around with a color blindfold. It is good to know and be aware of what is happening. Even the locals are complaining on TV and to the government about the high crime rate and insecurity in the streets, taxis, buses and house robberies. And this is just in the news (TV) this week (Nov 17th) Just today the Metro Pharmacy in el Dorado was robbed. The Cashier Lady was unharmed & very scared.

splainin
  11/17/2014 11:36 EST

Yesterday, in New York City, a man was pushed onto the tracks of an approaching subway train. He was crushed to death. People getting robbed no longer make it to the news desk in many cities around the world. You don't know how lucky you are in Panama City.

jonoyakker
  11/17/2014 20:45 EST

Splainin-$40-50 for a taxi from Albrook to Tocumen-huh?

splainin
  11/17/2014 21:38 EST

Try it.

splainin
  11/17/2014 21:51 EST

Until line 2 is ready, here is how you beat the ripoff. Watch this funny video.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aSE44zFgUrI

panamajames
  11/18/2014 08:17 EST

splainin, that is one great video. It won't win any awards for cinematography however, but it gets the word out on how to save around $55 from the trip there to Albrook and back to Tocumen airport from. Me gusta..........

Sausalitosteve
  11/18/2014 09:24 EST

Need to rentva car in PC which i want to drop in boquete as eadier to take shuttle to bocas. Anyone can recommend best car rental company offering a drop in boquete. Thanks .

splainin
  11/18/2014 12:36 EST

My pleasure, Panamajames.

panamajames
  11/18/2014 23:38 EST

Thrifty is in Boquete and I have met many people who drop their car here, when they either pick it up from Tocumen, or any other place in Panama. There is a drop off fee, but it is cheaper than the trip back to Panama City and then getting a plane or a bus back to Boquete..........

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