ANNUAL CRIME EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE (ACEQ) PESHAWAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L PESHAWAR 000025 DEPT FOR: DS/IP/SCA; DS/TIA/ITA E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/10/2019 TAGS: ASEC SUBJECT: ANNUAL CRIME EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE (ACEQ) PESHAWAR CLASSIFIED BY: David J. Hazarian, Regional Security Officer, RSO, State. REASON: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (SBU) Crime Mobility (Into Consulate Neighborhoods): Criminal elements operate throughout Peshawar and consistently enter the Consulate's residential neighborhoods, as these are affluent areas. U.S. Consulate Peshawar personnel living among the local population have experienced no burglaries or property theft over the last year. Due to the high number of diplomats and official/affluent Pakistanis living in these neighborhood areas, the police try to maintain an adequate profile in these locations however their presence is ineffective in deterring crimes. All residences occupied by Consulate personnel have one armed local guard force position 24/7, which acts a marginal deterrent to burglaries, and home invasions. ¶2. (C) Crime Ambiance (Around Consulate Neighborhoods): Consulate residences are located in an affluent neighborhood but a high level of criminal and terrorist related activity exists within these areas. Areas directly outside the Consulate neighborhood have a higher quantity of destitution, aggressive crimes and terrorist related activities. Overall, criminal activities have increased around Consulate neighborhoods principally kidnappings; murder; home intrusions and petty crimes. In 2008 there were several incidents distinctively targeting westerners and diplomatic personnel within the Consulate neighborhoods, the attack on the U.S. Consulate's Principal Officer and the assassination of a USAID Contractor and his driver, which both occurred within the immediate vicinity of Consulate residences. ¶3. (SBU) Aggressiveness of Criminals: Criminal perpetrators commit street crimes, and burglaries of residences. Besides concerns of thefts, home invasions and kidnappings of Consulate staff, there are concerns of violence due to terrorism on Consulate personnel. There is anecdotal reporting that criminals and terrorists team up regularly to commit acts of violence. Due to on-going concerns about the prospect of terrorist activity aimed against American citizens and interests, the Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Pakistan. ¶4. (SBU) Arming of Criminals: Violent crime in Peshawar is critical and in the past year there has been an extraordinary increase in kidnappings of high-profile and wealthy individuals. The majority of these kidnappings are criminal in nature however, in 2008 there were several incidents specifically targeting diplomatic personnel including the kidnappings of the Afghan Consul General and the Iranian Commercial Attachi. Almost all criminal perpetrators are armed or possess some type of lethal weapon. Weapons, including automatic rifles and handguns are readily accessible throughout Peshawar, the NWFP and FATA. ¶5. (SBU) Aggregation of Criminals: Criminals in Peshawar usually operate in groups of four to eight individuals, are disposed to be confrontational and habitually aggressive. ¶6. (SBU) Deterrence/Response of Police: The Peshawar police are poor at deterring crime, and responses to emergency calls by local citizens often go unattended. The police have generally responded effectively to Consulate Peshawar's requests when assistance has been needed. The Police have limited resources, such as a shortage of vehicles, and criminal lab facilities. Their police force is geared toward security force work, i.e. protecting a street corner, than investigative work or proactive procedures. As a result of crime concerns a number of wealthier citizens in Peshawar have hired contract security companies to provide armed personnel at their residences. ¶7. (SBU) Training/professionalism of Police: Standards of professionalism and training in the Peshawar police are low, but they but are eager for improvement. There is a aspiration by police forces to do well, but lack of manpower, resources, and poor police salaries are impediments. Corruption is reportedly prevalent throughout the low level ranks of the police. The Peshawar police force has received training and support from the U.S. State Department, Diplomatic Security Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) program, and the Department of Justice's International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance program (DOJ/ICITAP). The police are very sensitive to any crime committed against U.S. Consulate personnel and try to devote a great deal of resources to resolve the case should one occur. ¶8. (U) Point of contact for this information is RSO Peshawar, David J. Hazarian TRACYLM