Mmmmm ! it appears not to have a section for travel within the United
States ! I notice a paragraph :-
> Thieves often target vehicles with foreign license plates or rental cars,
> which are easily identified as such by a license plate number ending in
> "51." Rental car companies are in the process of phasing out these license
> plates, but this may take some time.
with a little modification it could have been written for visitors
to Florida - certainly a couple of years ago anyway,
Bill
> * +44 (0)151-235-3055
Fax: +44 (0)151-235-3151
> * mailto:[log in to unmask]
>
>
-----Original Message-----
From: Gavin Scott [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 12 July 2001 19:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [HP3000-L] David Greer Sighting
Wirt wrote:
> And I mentioned two other people have recently told me the same thing
> regarding their trips to Europe.
It's always worth taking a look at the State Department's current Travel
Warnings web site at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html
before traveling. Here's an excerpt from the current bulletin for France
for example:
Paris:
Gangs of thieves operate on the rail link from Charles de Gaulle Airport to
downtown Paris by preying on jet-lagged, luggage-burdened tourists. Often,
one thief distracts the tourist with a question about directions while an
accomplice takes a momentarily unguarded backpack, briefcase, or purse.
Thieves also time their thefts to coincide with train stops so that they may
quickly exit the car.
The Number One Subway Line, which runs by many major tourist attractions
(The Grand Arch at La Defense, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Concorde,
Louvre, Bastille), is the site of many thefts.
Many thefts occur at the major department stores (Galleries Lafeyette,
Printemps, Samarataine) where tourists often leave wallets, passports, and
credit cards on cashier counters during transactions.
In hotels, thieves frequent lobbies and breakfast rooms. While guests are
partaking of the free breakfast usually offered by the hotel, thieves take
advantage of a minute of inattention to snatch jackets, purses and
backpacks. Also, while many hotels do have safety latches that allow guests
to secure their rooms while they are inside, it is not a universal feature
as it is in the United States. If there is no inside latch or security
chain, a chair placed up against the door is usually an effective obstacle
to surreptitious entry during the night.
ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are very common in France and provide ready
access to cash, allowing travelers to carry as much money as they need for
each day. The rates are competitive with local exchange bureaus and an ATM
transaction is easier than the cashing of travelers' checks. However, crimes
committed around ATMs have been reported. The usual common sense rules
apply. Travelers should not use an ATM in uncomfortable surroundings, such
as isolated, unlit areas; unseemly loiters in the vicinity, etc. Travelers
should especially be aware of persons standing close enough to see the PIN
(Personal Identification Number) being entered in the machine. Thieves often
conduct successful scams by simply observing the PIN as it is entered. If
the card becomes stuck, travelers should be wary of persons offering to help
and even asking for the PIN to "fix" the machine. Legitimate bank employees
never have a reason to ask for the PIN.
Pigalle is the red-light district of Paris. Travelers should presume that
enterprises in this area generally do not conform to accepted good business
practices. Many entertainment establishments engage in aggressive marketing
and charge well beyond the normal rate for their drinks. There have been
reports of threats of violence to coerce patrons into paying exorbitant
beverage tabs.
Southern France:
Thefts from cars stopped at red lights are common, particularly in the
Nice-Antibes-Cannes area, and in Marseille. The thief is usually a passenger
on a motorcycle. Similar incidents have also occurred at tollbooths and rest
areas. Car doors should be locked at all times during travel and windows
closed or left only slightly ajar. Special caution is advised when entering
and exiting the car, because that offers opportunity for purse-snatchings.
Break-ins of parked cars are also frequent. Locking valuables in the trunk
is NOT a safeguard. NEVER leave valuables in the car.
Thieves often target vehicles with foreign license plates or rental cars,
which are easily identified as such by a license plate number ending in
"51." Rental car companies are in the process of phasing out these license
plates, but this may take some time.
Purse snatching and pickpocketing occur in the area. Passports should be
carried on the body when necessary and over-the shoulder bags should not be
used.
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