Chile 2009 Crime and Safety Report

Crime & Safety Report

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Americans living in Chile still do not face safety or crime concerns distinct from those of other residents or tourists in Chile.  Residential burglaries increase during Chile's summer months (December-February) when homes are left unoccupied for days at a time.  Apartments with twenty-four hour concierges and located above the third floor are unlikely to be burglarized.  However, reports of burglaries of apartments above the third floor are becoming more frequent.  The majority of these burglaries are supported or assisted by someone working within the apartment complex. 

Residents and tourists in Santiago, just as in any large city, are frequently victims of street crime.  Purse snatching/slashing of straps and pick-pocketing are most prevalent in crowded tourist locations and pedestrian shopping areas in downtown Santiago, as well as in subway stations, on subway trains, in bus terminals, and on crowded buses.  Criminals often work in pairs, one distracting the victim's attention by a motion or sound and the other stealing the victim's property.  Areas around ATMs, kiosks, markets, or where any cash transactions are conducted should be regarded as prime locations where crime can occur.  Restaurants, pubs, and food courts are also popular locations for theft of purses, backpacks, briefcases, and laptops. 

Scams are very popular with criminals in Chile.  In some cases, someone will call or visit the residence disguising themselves as legitimate employees of various gas or electric companies and solicit information from the homeowners to gain entry or for identity theft. 

Roadside robberies and car-jacking do occur.  If driving, keep windows up.  Thieves are more likely to reach through open windows to steal than to engage in "smash and grab" robberies, although this has occurred.  Cars that are parked on the street and left unattended are often broken into even in the affluent areas of the city.  This is especially true if valuables or items perceived to be valuables are left in plain view within a locked car.  Since vehicles parked on streets in Santiago are vulnerable to break-ins in just about any neighborhood, day or night, it is recommended that vehicles be parked in well-lit areas or in off-street parking facilities.  Travelers should be suspicious of "helpful" strangers who bring to their attention the fact that their car tire is flat.  A typical crime scenario is for thieves to follow the victim and to puncture one of the vehicle's tires at a traffic stop and then continue to follow the vehicle until the victim pulls over.  Thereupon, the thieves offer their assistance in repairing the tire.  While one distracts the victim by "helping" to prepare the tire, the other thief steals the victim's property.  Most victims were unaware of the thefts until the tire was repaired and the thieves had departed. 

Generally, taxis are economical and a safe means of transportation and taxi drivers use meters and do not short-change passengers.  However, travelers should remain alert whenever exchanging money in any circumstance.  Some taxi drivers do intentionally short-change, over charge, or steal from unsuspecting passengers.  A common ploy is for the taxi driver to receive payment from a passenger and then (when the passenger is distracted) quickly substitute a smaller bill or note for the one used for payment.  This particular ruse is generally attempted at night when visibility inside the taxi is poor, and, almost always, a Chilean 1,000 note (approximately US $2) is substituted for a Chilean 10,000 note (approximately US $20). 

Outside metropolitan Santiago, the chances of being victimized by crime are reduced.  However, robberies and assaults have occurred in the Vina del Mar/Valparaiso area, as well as the Pucon/Villarica area, which becomes increasingly crowded during the height of the Chilean summer season (December through February).  It is also reported that there have been higher incidences of theft of travel/identity documentation at traditionally nicer hotels both inside and outside Santiago.

Political Violence

Anti-American sentiment is seldom expressed toward Americans, official or unofficial.  With the exception of central Santiago, civil disturbances occur infrequently, but have resulted in property damage from rock throwing and Molotov cocktails.  These demonstrations generally stem from approved marches which have a propensity to turn confrontational, including those organized by the labor unions.  Marches and demonstrations traditionally take place on September 11, the anniversary of the 1973 military overthrow of the Allende government, and March 29, the Day of the Young Combatant. 

Domestic terrorism in 2008 saw several incidents which involved the fabrication of homemade explosives devices set in front of host government official buildings and some Chilean, Spanish, and Brazilian businesses, especially banks and ATMs.  These incidents appear to be planned in such a way as to cause damage and make a political statement while minimizing the possibility of injury or death.  Nearly all of these attacks have an anti-globalization undertone.

Post-specific Concerns

Natural Disasters

Earthquakes do occur in Chile.  In fact, the largest earthquake in recorded scientific history (measuring 9.5) took place in Chile in 1960.  Previous earthquakes in Chile have caused death, injury, and extensive damage to buildings as well as causing electrical power outages and breaks in telephone service.  As is the case in the United States, architects design buildings in Chile to withstand earthquakes.  Travelers coming to Chile should regard the likelihood of experiencing an earthquake during their visit no more likely than what would be expected if visiting Los Angeles or San Francisco, California. 

Earthquake Preparedness

• Travel with a flashlight.
• Carry a portable AM/FM or short-wave radio.
• Bring spare batteries.
• Travel with packaged snack items and bottled water.
• Know how to get out of your hotel using the stairway.
• Know where your money, credit cards, passport and travel documentation are located.
• Know where personal medication is located.
• Wear medical alert identification tags as needed.

After an earthquake you should also be prepared to do the following:

• If outdoors, stay outdoors and move away from structures.
• If indoors, go under a desk or table or sit on the floor against an interior wall.
• Stay away from windows or glass.
• Cover your eyes to protect them from falling debris.
• After the shaking stops, depart the building carefully avoiding areas where things could fall.
• Be prepared to experience aftershocks.
• Use stairways. Do not use elevators.
• Once outside, quickly get away from all buildings and structures.

Police Response 

The Carabineros of Chile are the uniformed national police force and have primary responsibility for crime prevention.  They are considered to be the most professional police force in Latin America.  Their effectiveness is hampered by a lack of resources, such as patrol vehicles.  Therefore, what would be considered a rapid response time to an incident in the United States may not be possible.  American citizens victimized by criminals can expect the Carabineros to be as cooperative, professional and helpful as would be expected of police in the United States.  Travelers should note that most Carabineros do not speak English.  The emergency telephone number for the entire country is 133.

Medical Emergencies 

Medical services in Chile are relatively modern and similar to what one would find in the United States.  Hospitals with ambulance services and pharmacies exist throughout Chile with the greatest numbers being located in Santiago.  It should be noted that a doctor's prescription is needed to obtain certain medicines such as antibiotics.  Throughout Chile 131 can be dialed to obtain ambulance service.  Additionally, throughout Chile, 133 (police) and 132 (fire) can also be used should an emergency arise.

Tips on Avoiding Becoming a Victim

Practice sound personal security awareness along the same lines as one would when visiting any large city in the United States.  Doing so will lower one's chances of being victimized.  In downtown Santiago, the risk of being a victim of street crime increases on weekends, during the afternoon, and especially after dark throughout the week.  During these times, the number of assaults and robberies is higher in the parts of the city which include popular tourist sites, such as Paseo Huerfanos, Paseo Ahumada, Santa Lucia, San Cristobal, and the Bellavista neighborhood.  Beware of groups of youths, who frequently work together, and keep in mind that one cannot always spot a thief by his/her appearance; their goal is to blend in with the general public.  Many thieves, particularly pickpockets, frequently dress in a coat and tie.  Be particularly alert when using the subway and buses.  Never carry more than you are willing to lose and never carry anything personally considered priceless or irreplaceable.  Pay for items in cash whenever possible and use credit cards at locations such as hotels and restaurants.  Carefully watch as the card is swiped and make sure you get it back.

For further information & Country Council Information

There is currently an active Country Council in Santiago that meets a couple times per year.  The Regional Security Office (RSO) is available to discuss security concerns with U.S. organizations and visiting U.S. security managers and can be reached at 56-2-330-3324 or 56-2-330-3326 during Embassy business hours.

U.S. Embassy Santiago

Av. Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes

Santiago, Chile

http://www.embajadaeeuu.cl/OpenNet/asp/default.asp?boton=Hom

For more information and announcements about security overseas, log on to the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) website at www.osac.gov.