Cheap car hire Panama - Crime

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Crime

CRIME: Crime is Panama City is comparable to what one would find in most moderately-sized U.S. cities. Most crimes involve robbery, burglary, pick-pocketing or purse-snatching, and Americans are advised to avoid, or practice extreme caution in, certain "high crime" areas of the city. Colon is a high crime area. Police checkpoints are commonplace on weekends on roads in both cities. Based upon reported incidents by local police, the high-crime areas around Panama City are San Miguelito, Rio Abajo, El 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 armed robberies to muggings, purse-snatchings, "express kidnappings" from ATM banking facilities (in which the victim is briefly kidnapped and robbed after withdrawing cash from an ATM), and petty theft.

There has been a substantial increase in crimes involving the use of weapons, as well as for possession of illegal weapons. Armed robberies targeting tourists have become more frequent on the beaches of Bocas del Toro province. Police resources there are limited.

Panama City has a curfew for persons less than 18 years of age, although this law is not often enforced. Under the law, students attending night classes must have a carnet, or permit, issued by the school or, if employed, a Certificate of Employment. Minors who are picked up for a curfew violation are subject to detention at a police station until parents or legal guardians can arrange for them to be released into their custody. Parents or legal guardians may be fined up to U.S. $50.00 for the violation.

The loss or theft abroad of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. This publication and others, such as Tips For Travelers to Central and South America, are available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.