Street Crime

[QUOTE=MCSE]Well. Recoleta it's not the safest neighborhood in the city. That's why I rather preffer Puerto Madero and Palermo.

[url]http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/05/21/um/m-01676963.htm[/url]

This is about the Armani assault, alvear ave.[/QUOTE]Everyone knows Armani = $$$. The moral here is don't wear Armani in BA, or Rolex unless you have The Dog and Dwayne Lee with the bear mace to back you up.

Cheers!

[QUOTE=Gato Hunter]Everyone knows Armani = $$$. The moral here is don't wear Armani in BA, or Rolex unless you have The Dog and Dwayne Lee with the bear mace to back you up.[/QUOTE]Good point. Doesn't make sense to mug someone who is likely to be destitute (often found in poor neighborhoods) That was why Georgetown (in DC) had such a high incidence of street crime, despite being one of the nicest places in the city.

Been in and out of that store many times and Zegna down the street. Never felt the least bit exposed. The only hotel personnel to ever give me any words of caution was the woman who checked me in at the Park Hyatt (just down the street from both stores) last time I stayed there. She noticed my watch (its a subtle, not-flashy watch--I stopped wearing the diamond crusted Rolex when my gold tooth fell out) and suggested that one might want to avoid making a nice watch too visible in the neighborhood.

That said, I have been out pretty late in that neighborhood and have seen very little trouble (hope to keep it that way)

A little common sense (err. Coming from a guy who runs out to 1707 at 2am, that sounds funny) goes a long way. At an outdoor table at any restaurant, don't leave your phone or any other valuables (camera, pocketbook, etc) in plain sight or within reach of the walking public, on the sidewalk. Late at night, stick to the busier streets, when alone walk near other folks (that don't appear to be mugging people) Also, when you leave a place like Armani or a nice hotel, pay attention to those around you and in particular any suspicious looking muthers who are looking at you.

As a back up plan, if I were to be dispossessed of the belongings carried in my pockets, I always leave my passport, a credit card or two, an extra phone and some cash in the safe at my hotel. Make a hi-res scan of your passport (and a photocopy to take with you) and email it to yourself at an email address you can access from any internet-connected PC, in case you need a copy of it.

WW

Another one in Recoleta, street crime, [url]http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/05/02/um/m-01663189.htm[/url]

They were pick-pocketing in the mornings and finally arrested by the police, it's not only about Armani.

Early in May, 2008, I was mugged in the microcenter about 11:30 in the evening near the bus stop close to the Temple Bar on Marcelo T. De Alvear. I had stepped into the street to signal a taxi with my right arm up and as the cab pulled up a hand was in my right pocket and I grabbed his arm and thought "Oh, shit" his arm was like a piece of pipe, very strong. I started to yell and he was too close to hit me, but he pushed me over and pulled out my wallet and as I fell I lunged forward and caught his foot and pulled off his running shoe and he ran off hobbling down the sidewalk. There were tons of people all over. They just stared. I got up off the street and chased him and some young people told me he was at the next corner and he crossed into the "no man's land" between parts of Avenida 9 de Julio. It would have been folly to Chase him there; he was short but very powerful. I would have no chance against him unless I saw a cop and I did not. I still had taxi fare in a little money clip in the other pocket and other emergency funds in a concealed part of my body so that was not an issue. I caught a cab and went to the police station a block from my apartment in Recoleta bearing my trophy of war, his shoe. They were sympathetic, but uninterested and told me to go back to the precinct where it happened to report it. When I didn't seem to understand (I was a little dumbfounded.) The desk policeman called the tourist police and another kindly officer who spoke excellent English told me to go home and try to relax and come to the tourist police office in the morning. I tried to explain that the mugger was in a white track suit, had gold chains and was running around on one shoe, but he said nothing could be done that evening. I was not injured save some scrapes and very sore knees from trying to run after him. (I am 66 years old. ) I lost about 300 pesos and a credit card, which was canceled within 15 minutes after getting home, and a couple of personal items.

It had been a nice evening. An American friend and I had had an expensive dinner (thank goodness) at Tomo Uno in the Pan Americano Hotel which is south a few blocks of where it happened. I would guess that the robber followed us from the hotel as we walked up the street. My friend turned off
to go to his apartment and I continued a couple of blocks further north and decided not to walk all the way home as I have done a thousand times which was probably actually good. When my friend and I parted, I should have just crossed the street and hailed a cab in an area where there are always a lot of police, for example, at Cordoba, right by Excedra. I also realize that, I am old and fat and have very gray hair and was well dressed coming out of an expensive restaurant, like an aging water buffalo among the lions. It could have been much worse. Just the day before I had seen a young man try to leap up and take the phone out of hands of a woman on a bus with the
window open and that might have been a little wake up call, but if that wasn't, this was.

When I went to the Tourist Police the next day, down on Corrientes, I think, they were very willing to walk over to a precinct and help me file a report. Apparently they thought I would file some kind of insurance claim. They were uninterested in the details and said that we could get it over with quickly at a nearby precinct but I would have to say that the crime happened in that precinct, not where it actually did. I was anxious to get on with my life and did so. I, of course, will not file an insurance claim for $100. It was a surreal experience. Certainly they tried to be helpful.

In my neighborhood in Chicago I have seen onlookers make a vigorous intervention with robbers on the street, both physically and on cell phones. You may be assured that you are on your own here. I now try to be extra careful when hailing cabs and entering my apartment front door. I don't
have any credit or ATM cards in my wallet, but I always have 300 pesos because there might be a nice dinner or a woman in the course of the evening. I do not walk alone as much in the evening but made myself go back down into that whole neighborhood the next evening (though much
down-dressed) A friend from Tucuman told me that when that horse bucks you off, you need to get right back on or you might stay spooked. I had not written about this before because I didn't want to make anyone fearful about coming here. I have no intention of leaving. In the end, the robber probably did not profit as his running shoe was an expensive Nike that I understand
retails for more than 300 pesos. But this is not Kansas or Illinois and I remain a liberal democrat, though somewhat more in favor of torture.

I travel with my own private law enforcement team.

No issues so far.

I have visited 68 countries, and I have been mugged or robbed in 8 or 9.

The worst have been in the EEUU. Do not ever think you travel in a country more dangerous than your own. And yes, I am pretty careful, but apparently not careful enough.

This time thieves went to the apartment using a tree as a latter.

[url]http://www.larazon.com/notas/2007/01/15/01345549.html[/url]

Again in Recoleta.

Saludos to all who share. Especially to WW for the following:

"At an outdoor table at any restaurant, don't leave your phone or any other valuables (camera, pocketbook, etc) in plain sight or within reach of the walking public, on the sidewalk. Late at night, stick to the busier streets, when alone walk near other folks (that don't appear to be mugging people) Also, when you leave a place like Armani or a nice hotel, pay attention to those around you and in particular any suspicious looking muthers who are looking at you.

As a back up plan, if I were to be dispossessed of the belongings carried in my pockets, I always leave my passport, a credit card or two, an extra phone and some cash in the safe at my hotel. Make a hi-res scan of your passport (and a photocopy to take with you) and email it to yourself at an email address you can access from any internet-connected PC, in case you need a copy of it."

I couldn't have said it better myself. Let me add that I never carry more than 300 pesos if possible, I split my money up into different pockets and press handkerchiefs on top to slow down anyone trying to snatch it. I carry a small case with my driver's license, paper copies of passport title page and the visa page (you have to make copies on a diminished size - I believe mine are at 50%) cut them out with scissors and re-copy to get on one page. Then I scanned it and emailed the compact doc page -front and back- to myself at several different email accounts. I NEVER carry a wallet.

A word about situational awareness. I have been traveling internationally for over 20 years without a serious incident. I do not know if my awareness of a bald, heavyset but fit guy in his 40s that was stalking us was due to having a 20 year habit of looking behind me frequently, but the fact my wife and I had just came out of a money changer may have heightened my awareness.

There were too many people on the MarDel peatonal to take careful note, but 4 - 6 blocks further, I stopped on the street corner while awaiting a chance to cross, I did a 360 degree circle and noticed - among others - this bald guy about 1.5 blocks away who was looking intently in our direction. 3-4 blocks further, and he was 1 block away. We made a quick detour, and, sure enough, he was still there and still intently looking at us. I should mention that I am obviously not a native, tho my wife is.

After 1.5 miles of this, I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and stared intently at him. He finally gave me a little wave and took off.

To this day, I am certain that he was either planning to make a broad daylight snatch and grab, or was planning to follow us home to catch us later or rob the place when we were gone.

Keep those cards and letters coming in.

Nothing like situational awareness, in BA or elsewhere. The best diversion was the gypsy in Rome who lifted her blouse to reveal her breasts while a kid went for the scoop. Number two was the "what time is it" on the Subte (answer time to get pickpocketed say it VERY loud to attract attention)

Also it is always good to be reminded about using the room safe for passport etc.

The only other tip that I can offer is to carry a decoy wallet. The one you were going to throw away after you bought the new carpincho one on calle Florida. Put some slips of paper in it so that it has some thickness then feel free to leave it in your back pocket. Like flies to meadow muffins the thieves will go for the easy "money". By the time they figure it out you too are long gone.

Like Sgt Esterhazy said on Hill Street Blues "Be careful out there".

Well friends, things have got a little sketchy on Doggboy's street in San Telmo. Recently, a number of young to middle aged drunks, drug addicts and general neer do well assholes began hanging out on my street. Previously, my street had been the preferred location for daytime dope smokers and some casual beer drinking. It is a cobblestone street with no colectivos and very little car traffic. Quiet, with not much cop presence, except up and around the corner. Over the past 3-4 weeks the drunks have been increasing, with heavy duty daytime drinking and public displays of afternoon barfing for your viewing pleasure. Late last week, late at night, Doggboy rolls home with a slight buzz and near my doorstep I get into a verbal altercation with some mega drunk young asshole with very few teeth and a large beer bottle in his hand. A mexican standoff ensued, he with his bottle and yours truly with an illegal knife. Better sense prevailed, on my part, and I skedaddled into my apartment. No sense putting my personal safety at further risk, plus if the drunk were to get hurt, I would be at fault with my illegal blade and tourist visa.

The upshot-my street has become a free fire zone, and this afternoon when I went downstairs to pick up my delivered DHL package, there are two cop cars directly across the street, and a covered up with a blanket dead guy. This street has gone to hell in a nanosecond and Doggboy will be relocating to swank Recoleta Feb. 1.:)

I always told you so Dogg, San Telmo is dangerous and I've never liked it.

Exon

[QUOTE=Exon123]I always told you so Dogg, San Telmo is dangerous and I've never liked it.

Exon[/QUOTE]I agree, pretty to look at but not a nice place after dark.

I was at the antique fair in Plaza Dorrego with some Argentine friends one Sunday. We nosed around the fair a little then went to a little cafe for coffee / drinks. In the middle of the conversation Tommy looked outside and said "Fuck man, we have to go." He didn't wait a second, reached in his pocket threw some pesos on the table, everybody else looked outside and without a word got up and started heading for the door. This from a group of people that usually take about an hour to discuss when they might start thinking about leaving a restaurant.

I grabbed my coat and headed out with them thinking I would see an army of picateros outside or something but nope there was nothing, just the sunset. I asked Tommy "whats up" and he said "Man you don't want to be here when the lights come on." They were genuinely frightened. I just always assumed vampires came out of the sewer or something.

So Dogg, get thee to a nunnery in Recoletta!

[QUOTE=Exon123]I always told you so Dogg, San Telmo is dangerous and I've never liked it.

Exon[/QUOTE]I still think danger in San Telmo is overrated. As for my move to Recoleta, that has been in the works for awhile. I wouldn't want an aberration on my street to sway someone from visiting, or living, in San Telmo. Remember, I have lived here nearly a year and a half without incident until the other night. Daddy-those people you were with were / are pussies!