ANNUAL OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT 2008 - PRAGUE

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000022


DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/FPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: ANNUAL OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT 2008 - PRAGUE

REF: 08 STATE 132056



I. CRIME:

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy in Central
Europe and became a full member of the EU in 2004 and a
member of the Schengen zone in 2007. The Schengen Agreement
allows people inside the Schengen Zone to move freely without
being stopped at national borders.

The Czech Republic is rated a low crime threat post by the
Department of State. Violent and/or confrontational crime is
rare. The type of crime visitors are most frequently exposed
to is petty street crime, particularly pick-pocketing. These
incidents frequently occur in crowded tourist spots. Special
caution is warranted in and around public transportation
areas such as train stations, when boarding and exiting trams
and subways. Other areas where tourists congregate in Prague,
such as Charles Bridge, Wenceslas and Old Town Squares are
also favored target areas for thieves. Some of these
pickpocket rings are very professional and can have as many
as six to eight members on the street operating against the
same target or group of targets. Mostly victims report being
jostled and distracted in a crowded area while they were
totally unaware of their wallet or valuables being lifted.
Also there are some reports of purse snatching or valuables
being lifted off the back of seat chairs at outdoor cafes.

"Date rape" drugs such as Rohypnol, have also been used at
local bars and clubs, although recent claims are
unsubstantiated. Customers of these establishments are
advised not to accept drinks from anyone other than
waiters/waitresses and not to leave their drink unattended.

Visitors are also advised to change money only at banks or
legitimate money kiosks. An offer to change money by an
unknown person on the street is most likely tied to a scam.
Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available
throughout major cities in the Czech Republic. Most ATMs
have multilingual instructions and allow you to access U.S.
bank accounts.

Auto thefts and break-ins are common in the Czech Republic,
especially in major cities. It is recommended travelers use
parking garages and some type of anti-theft device to
discourage these incidents. It is important not to leave
valuables in plain sight inside vehicles. The recovery rate
of stolen vehicles, as with most stolen property, is
extremely low. The Czech Republic also serves as a transit
route for stolen cars from Western Europe that are heading
east and south.

Taxis are clearly marked. Visitors should be alert to the
potential for substantial overcharging by taxis, particularly
in areas frequented by tourists. Some taxi drivers charge
unsuspecting foreigners two, three times or more than the
standard rate. The Embassy is aware of a report involving an
individual who hailed a taxi on a street near a popular night
club. The individual was reportedly subsequently robbed and
endured minor injuries prior to being dropped off outside of
Prague. It is recommended that you call for a taxi, rather
than hail one on the street, or obtain a taxi at one of the
"Fair Place" taxi stands regulated by the Prague
municipality. Customers should also make sure the taxi meter
is utilized.


II. POLITICAL VIOLENCE:

While residents and visitors to the Czech Republic are not
especially at risk at this time, the Department of State has
issued a number of recent Public Announcements cautioning
Americans worldwide to maintain a level of vigilance against
potential terrorist incidents. All visitors are advised to
be continually aware of their surroundings and be alert to
suspicious activities or individuals.

Civil disorder in the Czech Republic is rare, although
strikes and demonstrations do occasionally occur. Public
protests are usually non-violent and issue-centered.
Demonstrations in front of the U.S. Embassy in 2008 have
focused primarily on issues regarding the new missile defense
radar proposed by the U.S., and will likely continue as the
issue progresses. Demonstrations are usually small and
peaceful. Most demonstrations number less than fifty, but
have been known to exceed 500 participants. As in many
countries around the world, there have also been incidents of
violence involving rowdy fans at sporting events. Visitors
should be cautious in any crowded venues. During these
incidents and other demonstrations, the police were generally
well-prepared and handled the protesters in a professional
and competent manner.

III. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS:

Leaving the scene of a traffic accident, even a minor one, is
against the law in the Czech Republic. If you are involved in
a fender-bender without additional property damage or
injuries, and vehicular damage is under 100,000 Kc you may
settle with the other driver without the police. However,
due to potential communication problems and difficulties in
calculating vehicle damage, visitors are advised not to move
their vehicle and to wait until the police arrive.

The Czech Republic has a zero tolerance policy for drinking
and driving, with a zero blood alcohol limit for operating a
vehicle. Police may request administration of a breathalyzer
test randomly or at the scene of a traffic accident.
Depending upon blood alcohol level, the driver could face an
official fine or criminal justice proceedings.

Persons driving into the Czech Republic should be aware that
a road usage tax sticker is required to drive legally on
major highways. The stickers are available at gasoline
stations on highways. Failure to not have the sticker or
properly display it can result in a fine. Drivers should pay
special attention to driving on cobblestone and among
streetcars and tourists in historic city centers. Speed
limits are 50 km/h in towns and 120km/h on highways.
Headlights are required when the vehicle is moving in the
Czech Republic. All traffic citations can result in on the
spot fines.

Public transportation operates on the honor system with
random inspection for a valid ticket by municipal
transportation inspectors. Failure to have a ticket can
result in a fine on the spot also. Tickets must be validated
in the yellow stamp box at the entrance to the metro and on
trams and buses.

Several factors make the Czech Republic an attractive country
for groups in the drug trade. These include its central
location, the closure of most of the traditional customs
posts along the nation's borders, low detection rates for
laundered drug money, low risk of asset confiscation, and
relatively short prison sentences for drug-related crimes.
Although not an important regional financial center, both
geographic and economic factors make the Czech Republic
vulnerable to money laundering. Narcotics trafficking,
smuggling, auto theft, arms trafficking, tax fraud,
embezzlement, racketeering, prostitution, and trafficking in
illegal aliens are the major sources of funds that are
laundered in the Czech Republic currency exchanges, casinos
and other gaming establishments. Domestic and foreign
organized crime groups have been known to target Czech
financial institutions, currency exchanges, casinos and other
gaming establishments for money laundering activities.


IV. POLICE RESPONSE:

Tourism is a major industry and source of currency for the
Czech Republic. Authorities attempt to be responsive to
foreign residents/visitors in need, however, lack of adequate
resources and manpower hamper proactive police measures in
most areas, including areas frequented by foreigners. Police
efforts to be responsive to the needs of tourists include
placement of multilingual officers at several police stations
throughout Prague and other Czech cities and police vans at
or near major tourist sites.

Incidents of police harassment or unwarranted detention are
quite rare.

Police emergency operations center...112

This is an all purpose emergency number similar to 911 in the
U.S. It is a 24-hour toll-free number where callers can
report emergencies or request emergency assistance in English
from Czech ambulance services, the fire department and the
police.



V. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:

Prague has good Western-style medical clinics and some
English-speaking doctors and dentists. However, medical
facilities are more limited outside the capital of Prague.
Doctors and hospitals often expect cash payment for health
services. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization
and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost
thousands of dollars or more.

Emergency contact numbers:

Ambulance (24 hour emergency number) ...............112

Canadian Medical Center .................. 235-360-133
Cardiac problems: Na Homolce Hospital.... 257-272-146
or........................................ 257-271-111
Motol Hospital, Foreigners Dept.
Adult emergencies: ................. 224-433-681
Child emergencies: ................. 224-433-690


VI. TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM:

--As indicated above, visitors and residents alike should be
alert to pickpockets and purse snatchers on trams, metros,
outdoor cafes and in the tourist areas of Prague, mainly
around Charles Bridge and Old Town Square.

--It is recommended that visitors carry only the amount of
cash they need for that day's transactions and maintain a low
profile. Also travelers should know the number to their bank
to immediately cancel their cards once they have determined
them lost or stolen.

--Do not carry your passport with you while traveling around
town, unless you plan to travel internationally. Instead,
carry a photocopy of your passport,s identity page and
ensure the original document is securely stored at your hotel.

--Changing money on the street is not recommended. Money may
be exchanged at exchange kiosks located throughout tourist
areas, at major hotels and banks. Most reputable
establishments in the Czech Republic accept major credit
cards and their use is relatively safe. Automated 24-hour
teller machines are also widely available.

--Never leave anything of value inside a vehicle that is left
in plain sight. This can result in a broken window or forced
and damaged door lock, and theft of the item.

--For the business community, a number of private security
companies are located in the Czech Republic. The larger ones
generally have good reputations.

--There are no areas of Prague that are considered high crime
areas but all travelers are advised to exercise a heightened
awareness when frequenting night clubs and using public
transportation late at night.

--Call for a taxi, rather than hail one on the street, or
obtain a taxi at one of the "Fair Place" taxi stands
regulated by the Prague municipality. Customers should also
make sure the taxi meter is utilized.

--Visitors should be cautious in crowded venues, especially
en route to and at sporting events where rowdy fans may
become unruly.

--Exercising common sense precautions, as one would in any
large city that is a tourist destination, will enable most
travelers to avoid becoming victims of crime in the Czech
Republic.


VII. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Emergency contact information:

Country Code: 420

Consular Section/American Citizen Services:
257-022-375
Foreign Commercial Service: 257-022-434
Regional Security Office: 257-022-308
After hours Embassy Emergency No. 257-022-000

Americans living in or visiting the Czech Republic are
encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy in the Czech Republic and obtain updated information
on travel and security within the Czech Republic.
Information is also available on the Embassy's web site at
http://www.usembassy.cz.


VIII. OSAC COUNTRY COUNCIL INFORMATION:

Information on OSAC in the Czech Republic can be found on
http://Prague.osac.gov/


Graber