Personal Safety Reminders

        The U.S. Embassy and the Department of State consider El Salvador a critical crime-threat country.  Because of the prevalence of crime, Department of State employees receive additional pay while serving in the country.  The information and recommendations listed below are provided to assist private American citizens residing in El Salvador assess their security situation and improve their ability to avoid criminal victimization. 

The statistics immediately below reflect the number of reported serious crimes in five categories during the years indicated:

                                              Reported Cases by Year
Type of Crime                     2003         2004         2005

Homicide                            2,172        2,768        3,756
Aggravated Assault             4,904        4,520        4,346
Kidnapping                                8            12             10
Extortion                               294            315          372
Car Theft/Car Jacking           4,289        4,516        4,545

By the end of 2005, El Salvador earned the dubious distinction of having the highest per capita homicide rate in the Western Hemisphere.  The trend of increasing homicides has continued into 2006, with 42 more homicides recorded during the first four months of this year than in the equivalent period of 2005.

        Security officials at the Embassy emphasize that serious crimes can and do occur in all regions of El Salvador and all neighborhoods of the major cities.  The presence of privately hired "neighborhood guards" in the more affluent sections of San Salvador does not always represent a deterrent to criminals.

        In the first months of 2006, Embassy-related American citizens were the victims of the following crimes:

-- The spouse of an Embassy employee was the victim of armed robbery while walking in an affluent residential area in Cumbres de Cuscatlan.

-- Peace Corps volunteers were the victims of armed robbery at a popular tourist location.

-- A U.S. official on temporary duty at the Embassy was robbed by a machete-wielding assailant on a popular beach.

-- Another official was victimized when his vehicle was broken into and valuables were stolen from it while it was parked during business hours in the parking lot at Price Smart in the Cumbres de Cuscatlan section of greater San Salvador.

-- Several Embassy employees or their dependents were the victims of credit card "skimming" while using their credit cards at major retail outlets, restaurants and hotels in San Salvador.  The RSO pointed out that waiters or other employees at these establishments can quickly "skim" the cards using small readers attached to their clothing.  The information obtained from the card then can be sold and eventually used for large purchases at locations around the world.      

        Recent violent crimes in which U.S. citizens were not victimized but that occurred in areas of San Salvador frequented by Embassy employees and their family members include:

-- The drive-by shooting of Salvadoran police officers near the Galeria shopping mall on Paseo Escalon;

-- An attempted kidnapping near the Princess Hotel in the Zona Rosa;

-- A series of carjacking/kidnappings near the Malibu Restaurant on South Boulevard in Santa Elena.  The victim in each of these crimes was an unaccompanied woman who was entering her vehicle during hours of darkness;

-- A murder near the Multiplaza shopping mall adjacent to the Pan American Highway during the late night hours;

-- A series of armed robberies in which the victims were operating motor vehicles stopped for a lengthy traffic light on La Mascota Avenue in the Escalon district;

-- A series of armed robberies in which the victims were operating motor vehicles stopped for a traffic light near the Feria International and were waiting to make a left-hand turn into the Zona Rosa;

-- The armed robbery of a pedestrian walking along the sidewalk near La Capilla in San Benito;

-- The disposal of more than half a dozen bodies of murder victims along the "new road" from behind Price Smart in Cumbres de Cuscatlan to the Comalapa highway.  Because the bodies were left along the road at night when traffic was light, the RSO strongly advised Embassy employees to avoid using this four-lane, divided, well-constructed thoroughfare during hours of darkness.

        A nonviolent crime that is becoming more prevalent in affluent residential areas in San Salvador involves "home invasions" or the burglarizing of residences during broad daylight by individuals posing as delivery men to gain access to a home.  The RSO encouraged Embassy employees to instruct their domestic staffs to be suspicious of unexpected deliverymen and to admit only people whom the head of household has announced would be arriving at the residence.

        To reduce one's vulnerability to becoming a victim of crime, the Regional Security Officer at U.S. Embassy San Salvador recommends the following practices:

Personal Security Suggestions

--  If confronted by an assailant, DO NOT RESIST;

--  Keep a low personal profile; in other words, always remain as inconspicuous as possible;

--  Avoid disputes with local citizens;

--  Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth;

--  Always be alert to your surroundings;

--  Avoid dark and deserted areas;

--  Identify safe havens (that is, police stations, hospitals, shopping centers, gas stations with armed guards) near the places you live, work, and regularly visit;

--  Be alert for possible criminal/terrorist surveillance near your residence, workplace, and the places you regularly visit.  Look for occupied parked cars and unfamiliar or loitering pedestrians;

--  Report suspicious persons or vehicles to the Salvadoran police.  Do not investigate yourself;

--  Vary your daily routine and lifestyle as much as possible.  Vary your times of departure to and from home and work;

--  Vary your routes between home and work and to the places you regularly visit;

--  Carry a cellular phone when out of your residence;

Know where your family members are at all times.  This is especially important for children and teenagers;

--  Do not accept gifts, packages or rides from strangers;

--  Teach children how to call for help and get assistance in an emergency;

--  Avoid riding public buses, if at all possible.  If you must use a taxi, the Embassy recommends using a radio dispatched taxi, such as ACACYA, or those stationed in front of the major international hotels in San Salvador.

Vehicle Related Security Precautions

--  Always drive with your window closed and your doors locked;

--  Never enter a car without checking the rear seat to ensure that it is empty;

--  Avoid trips to remote areas, especially after dark;

-- Women, particularly, should avoid driving alone at night whenever possible;

--  Select well traveled streets as much as possible;

--  Keep your vehicles well maintained at all times, including a useable spare tire;

--  Be constantly alert to read conditions and surroundings, to include possible surveillance by the operators or occupants of other vehicles, motorcycles, or bicycles.  Remind your passengers to be vigilant;

-- Avoid using cell phones while driving motor vehicles;

--  Check side and rear view mirrors routinely;

--  Pre-plan your route and at least one alternate;

--  Never pick up hitchhikers;

-- If passengers in another vehicle point out that your vehicle has a flat tire, do not stop immediately to change it.  Instead, drive to an attended gas station or similarly busy and well-lighted area to make repairs;

--  Whenever possible, drive near the center of the road, especially in rural areas, to avoid being force off the road;

--  Remain a safe distance behind the vehicle ahead to allow space for avoidance maneuvers, if necessary;

--  Whenever possible, park near the entrance to stores or restaurants;

--  In parking lots, park as close to the guard post as possible;

--  Avoid parking in isolated or dark areas;

--  When exiting or approaching your vehicle, be alert for suspicious persons;

--  Never leave identifying material or valuables in the vehicle.

Residential Security Precautions

--  Don't open your doors to strangers, unexpected visitors, or unexpected deliverymen or workmen.  Make sure all your family members and household employees are aware of this procedure;

--  Instruct all family members and household employees to be alert for suspicious persons near your residence.  Report such persons to the Salvadoran police.  Do not investigate yourself.

--  Be especially alert for suspicious vehicles or persons when approaching or leaving your residence.  Home invasion robbers frequently accost their victims as they are arriving or departing home.

Precaution Against Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud

-- Avoid using credit cards whenever possible; make purchases using cash.