ANNUAL OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000054


DEPARTMENT FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/EAP
AMEMBASSY BEIJING FOR RSO
AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KSAC HK
SUBJECT: ANNUAL OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT

REF: 08 STATE 132056



1. The Annual OSAC Crime Safety Report for the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region is submitted below, following the guidelines
in reftel.


I. OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY SITUATION: Post is not aware of any
specific threats against American citizens in Hong Kong. However,
all visitors should be aware of the current worldwide travel
advisories before undertaking travel to the region. Hong Kong is
one of the safest cities in Asia. Muggings and violent robberies
occur occasionally, including against foreigners, but it is
generally safe to walk around the city at any time of day or night.
Nevertheless, travelers should exercise the same caution they would
in any large city, and pay particular attention to personal
belongings while in crowded areas and while traveling on Hong Kong's
public transportation systems.

Hong Kong has a highly developed and well-maintained road and
highway network. Driving is done on the left-hand side of the road.
Drivers should be particularly aware of motorcyclists, who often
ignore lane markings. Public transportation and taxis are abundant,
safe, inexpensive, and reliable. Visitors should consider using
these forms of transportation. Each year, approximately 20,000
drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are killed or injured in
traffic accidents in Hong Kong. The use of seatbelts in vehicles,
if so equipped, is mandatory both in the front and back seat.

II. POLITICAL VIOLENCE: The threat facing Americans from terrorism,
war, or civil unrest is low. Public protests, demonstrations, and
strikes occur but are seldom violent. Demonstrations are usually
located in the Central District near various government buildings,
which are close to the U.S. Consulate General. Post is not aware of
any indigenous terrorist groups operating in Hong Kong.

III. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS: In the late summer/early fall there is
an increase in typhoons in Hong Kong. Public notification of
weather conditions is excellent. There have been no significant
disasters such as earthquakes, fires, or floods reported in Hong
Kong. There have been no large-scale industrial or transportation
accidents, no problems involving nuclear power plants, no
kidnappings for ransom, no drugs or narco-terrorism, or anything
else that is a security/safety concern for U.S. businesses or
citizens.

IV. POLICE RESPONSE: The general police support and response to
foreign victims of crime is excellent. The Hong Kong Police are
highly trained and professional. There are numerous police stations
strategically located throughout the various districts and
communities of Hong Kong. Their response time to emergencies is
under five (5) minutes and under ten (10) minutes for non-emergency
calls. The local police emergency number is 999. The operators
speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin.


V. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: For medical emergencies, the emergency
telephone number is 999. Limited emergency personnel are trained to
paramedic standards; most are trained to first responder level.
They generally perform basic stabilization and transport ASAP to the
nearest hospital. The trauma centers are: Queen Mary (Hong Kong
Island) and Queen Elizabeth (Kowloon). There is 24-hour emergency
care at the Adventist Hospital (Hong Kong Island).

VI. TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS; HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM: Hong Kong
has many of the same crime problems as other major cities.
Pick-pockets are especially numerous in areas of high congestion,
e.g., Mass Transit Railway (MTR),Peak Tram, Star Ferry, Central
District, and Wanchai. There have been numerous reports of
robberies involving the drug rohypnol, commonly known as the "date
rape drug." Most reports have involved bar staff and/or prostitutes
from bars and clubs in the popular Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui
districts. The drug is administered to unwitting victims via food
or drink, who later awake to find all of their valuables missing.
The drug causes the victim to lose consciousness, sometimes for over
24 hours, and often induces short term amnesia. Travelers are
advised to avoid leaving drinks or food unattended, and should not
accept food or drink from strangers or new acquaintances.

Private security services and guard companies exist; are well
established, and offer a wide spectrum of security specialties.

VII. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact the following telephone
numbers:
Consulate General Hong Kong 852-2523-9011
24-hour Emergency Number 852-2841-2230
Regional Security Office 852-2841-2355
U.S. Foreign Commercial Service 852-2521-1467

VIII. The Hong Kong/Macau OSAC Country Council was established in

2000. More recently, the Country Council elected a new Steering

Committee in December 2008. The Hong Kong/Macau OSAC meets
quarterly or as needed. Representatives of U.S. businesses
interested in participating in OSAC should contact the Regional
Security Office at the number above or visit the Hong Kong Consulate
General's OSAC website at hongkong.usconsulate.gov/osac.html.


DONOVAN