Thanks and a Few Questions
[QUOTE=Aqualung; 427769]Going back to the origin of this post. Ten years ago I would tell foreigners visiting Argentina that Buenos Aires was probably the safest 'big' city in the World and that they could stroll around down-town or Palermo or Recoleta whatever time it was without the least worry of something happening to them.
Five years ago I would tell them that BA was still very safe but they shouldn't carry their passports around with them or any valuables more than the cash they thought they may need at the time and one credit card.
Today. Hmm, I don't know what to say. You may stumble around drunk at any time of the night and nothing happens, you may have your pockets picked at 3pm and you may be shot or knifed at 10am.
Years back a pick pocket didn't carry any sort of weapon because if, in his worst case scenario, he was caught his sentence would only be light. Today all or at least most pick pockets carry at least a blade.
Years back a pick pocket was just that. He prided in his 'profession'. Today drugged up kids roam the streets looking for any chance of making some money, be it picking a pocket, snatching a bag, robbing a kiosko or mugging a guy just walking out of a bank.
Those kids you see on the parks in the middle of the 9 de Julio will just as easy stab you for your cell phone as beg a coin from you. It mostly depends on how high they are at the time you cross their paths.
27 cops have been killed this year in Buenos Aires and I really don't know how many civilians as the government hides the real amount from us. In my calculations it's about between 20 and 30 a month.
Buenos Aires is still safer than most big cities in Latin America and many cities in the US come to think of it. But it's not much of a comfort to know that you were the only one killed in a robbery in BA on that day.
Of course, about three people are killed every two days on the streets of Buenos Aires in traffic accidents and still not much of a comfort to know you were the only one run over.
So keep your eyes open, watch the traffic lights and use your common sense.[/QUOTE]Nice Post.
I have 2 questions for you :
A friend of mine was stabbed by his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend while he was in his car waiting for her to get off work.
They had to open him up with a zipper to look around inside and patch him up.
The police let the ex-boyfriend go because he claimed it was a crime of passion because he was jealous.
Does that sound like a true story?
What about premeditation or attempted murder, etc?
But he is in the Police system now so he can't even fart without going to jail.
And secondly, what are your thoughts about carrying a knife, pistol, mace, cane with a hidden sword or a WMD?
TL.
I have been a victim of violent crime once in my bedroom and almost twice on 9 de Julio at 4am by the same 3 crack heads!