LJUBLJANA - OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000026 DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, DS/OSAC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT APER ASEC SI SUBJECT: LJUBLJANA - OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT 2009 REF: 08 STATE 132056 ¶1. (U) Regional Security Officer Ljubljana submits the following Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime and Safety Report 2009 per reftel: Introduction The following is an assessment of the current overall crime and safety situation for Slovenia. It is recommended the traveler review the U.S. Embassy website (http://www.slovenia.usembassy.gov) for all updated and special information. Americans living or traveling in Slovenia are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website to obtain updated information on travel and security within Slovenia. ¶I. Overall Crime and Safety Situation ¶A. Slovenia's overall crime rate is low and violent crimes involving U.S. personnel and tourists are relatively uncommon. Most crimes tend to be non-violent and directed towards obtaining property such as purse snatching, pickpocketing and residential and vehicle break-ins. Street Crime: There have been smash-and-grab incidents against vehicles parked at local shopping centers, as well as incidents of purse snatching and pickpockets, at restaurants located in the city center, city-buses and the central open market. Vehicles: Vehicle break-ins and theft of vehicles are a continuous problem in Slovenia. Most break-ins are done in order to obtain valuable contents, i.e., stereos or items left behind either in the passenger compartment or in the trunk. Thefts of luxury vehicles, i.e., Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes, remain common and may be stolen for parts or for resale outside of Slovenia. Residences: Residential burglaries occur where there are security vulnerabilities and/or residents are not implementing residential security practices. Some reports indicate access is gained because front/back/side/patio doors are not secured with locking mechanism. Thefts usually occur when occupants are away for an extended period of time. ¶B. Slovenia has a well-developed road network that is safe for travel. Highways connect to neighboring cities and countries and are clearly sign-posted. Road safety still remains a major concern. The number of traffic accidents has fallen in 2008 (197 as opposed to 268 in 2007) due to continuous traffic controls, increased penalty fines and safety awareness campaigns. Most of the serious accidents in Slovenia occur as a result of high speed driving and/or driving under influence. Emergency roadside help and information may be found by dialing 1987 for vehicle assistance and towing services, 112 for an ambulance or fire brigade, and 113 for police. By Slovene law, the maximum blood-alcohol limit is 0.05. The speed limit is 50-kph/30 mph in urban areas, 130 kph/80 mph on expressways (the "avtocesta"). Motorists are required to have their headlights on during the daytime and drivers and passengers must wear seat belts, and both drivers and passengers on motorcycles must wear sanctioned helmets. The use of handheld cellular telephones while driving is prohibited in Slovenia. If you are involved in a traffic accident follow these procedures: do not move your vehicle, so that the accident scene can be maintained intact for the police to survey. Secure the site of the accident (set up the red triangle 50 meters from the scene of the accident). Fill out the European Traffic Accident Report. Most European drivers keep a copy of the report in their vehicle. One European Accident Report is sufficient for two parties in an accident. Both drivers have to sign the accident report for it to become effective. The police will inform you how you can obtain the copy of the police report. If you intend to drive the damaged vehicle across the border, this report is mandatory. II. Political Violence ¶A. The terrorist threat level is low. This assessment takes into account historical data relevant to terrorist activities and recent reporting indicating whether acts could be conducted without prior advance warnings. ¶B. Human trafficking is the most common form of organized crime in Slovenia, with the criminal cartels largely connected with the Western Balkans. There have also been cases of arms trafficking and distribution of counterfeited Euros. ¶C. Little, if any, international/transnational terrorist activity has been observed in Slovenia so far. Being a member of the Schengen area, Slovenia exerts strict control over its borders and procedures for issuing visas. ¶D. There are occasional political demonstrations in city centers in Slovenia, most often occurring in central Ljubljana areas around Kongresni Trg (Congress Square),in front of the Parliament building, around other local government facilities, and at times near the U.S. Embassy. These demonstrations are usually peaceful and generally are not anti-American in nature. However, there have been demonstrations that voiced anti-American sentiments. III. Post Specific Concerns ¶A. A massive earthquake in or around Slovenia constitutes the largest post-specific threat for American citizens in Slovenia. The northwest section of the country is the most seismically active area, but Ljubljana also experienced earth tremors in the past. ¶B. No major industrial or transportation accidents have been reported. Slovenia co-owns a nuclear power plant in Krsko, located 100 kilometers east from Ljubljana. A minor coolant leak from the reactor was reported in June 2008, which resulted in a large amount of media attention due to a poor notification procedure. The power plant was built in 1981 in accordance with Western standards. ¶C. No cases of kidnappings have been reported. ¶D. Slovenia is neither a major drug producer nor a major transit country for illicit narcotics. Heroin from Afghanistan, which transits Turkey, continues to be smuggled via the "Balkan Route" and port of Koper through Slovenia to Western Europe. Drug-related violence and kidnappings are extremely rare. Slovenian police increased efforts to counter drug smuggling, which resulted in several big drug busts in 2008, 80 kilos of cocaine in June and 98 tons of acetic anhydride used for heroin production, in July. IV. Police Response ¶A. Police response and services throughout Slovenia are good. The police are well-trained and equipped. English is the most widely spoken foreign language among the Slovene police. If an individual believes that they have been detained or harassed by the police, they should request that the US Embassy be contacted. ¶B. If you have been the victim of a crime in Slovenia, please refer to the following list of telephone numbers for assistance: Police - 113 Fire/Ambulance - 112 U.S. Embassy/24-hour Emergency Number: (386)-(1)-200-5500 The U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office (RSO) recommends filing a local police report in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred. Filing a police report is not obligatory; however, filing a report may assist the local police in catching the criminal(s). In the city center of Ljubljana, reports should be given in person at the Ljubljana Police Station Center; address: Trdinova Street 10, telephone number: (386)-(0)1-475-0600. ¶V. Medical Emergencies ¶A. Adequate medical care is readily available. Travelers to Slovenia may obtain a list of English-speaking physicians at the U.S. Embassy or online at http://www.slovenia.usembassy.gov/medical assistance.html. The primary hospital in Ljubljana is the Klinicni Center located at Zaloka 2. The contact numbers for the hospital are: general, (386)-(1)-52-25-050; emergency, (386)-(1)-52-24-341. Immediate payment for medical services is required. ¶B. The provider of Air Ambulance Services is the Slovene Police and in some cases Slovene Army. There is no commercial provider of these services at this time. The new heliport at Klinicni center is currently under construction. VI. Travel Precautions ¶A. American visitors are generally safe in Slovenia and are not singled out or targeted based on nationality, but rather for looking like a tourist. Most of the crimes committed against American visitors fall into the category of petty theft, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching. These occur mostly in crowded areas, train stations, restaurants, open markets and public transportation. ¶B. At present there are no off-limit areas designated by the Regional Security Officer in Ljubljana. Still, travelers should be cautious when visiting some night clubs and bars. VII. Additional Information ¶A. Contact numbers: Regional Security Office: (386)-(1)-200-5619; Embassy Operator: 386)-(1)-200-5500; Medical Unit: (386)-(1)-200-5627; Consular Affairs: 386)-(1)-200-5734; Pol/Econ Section: (386)-(1)-200-5708; Marine Post One: (386)-(1)-200-5556 VIII. OSAC Country Council: None ¶2. (U) Point of Contact for this cable is Regional Security Officer Vanessa C. Freeman, Phone: (386)-(1)-200-5619 or email: freemanvc@state.gov. FREDEN