Take A Stand Against Crime
Safety is a concern for everyone regardless of age, financial status, background or living conditions. Whether we live in a Panamanian style home, beachfront villa or mountain hideaway we all long to feel secure in our environment. Former law enforcement experts Perry McMullin and Jim Rizik offered up some great safety tips at a meeting Friday night at Loco’s Backyard Grill. A group of twenty or more expats gathered eager to hear some practical tips that would be useful in everyday life. Awareness is the best form of defense in assuring safety in all situations. “Whenever I’m out shopping I see gringos oblivious to what’s going on around them,” Perry said. “They seem to be walking around in a bubble.” He went on to describe a scene where a couple comes out of El Rey walking through the parking lot followed by a cart boy pushing their groceries. The couple is chatting away totally oblivious to everything around them. The groceries are put into their car and after tipping the boy they jump into the car and take off.
Never once did they look around the see if they were being followed, or if the car had been broken into, tampered with or a tire slashed. A common trick for criminals is to put a knife through a tire then follow the driver down the road and when the car pulls over, the thief offers to help. Once the thieves have them alone they steal their valuables, beat them, take their car and leave them stranded on the side of the road.
Another trick is for a criminal is to approach a vehicle in an isolated area and tap on the side of the car indicating to the driver that their tire is flat. If this ever happens don’t stop just keep driving to a well-lit area where it’s safe to stop and investigate the situation.
Wherever we go Perry suggests that we need to watch each other’s back. One person could escort the cart boy to the car while the other person stays back to assess the situation from afar. Once the person near the car is sure that no tampering has been done, he signals to the other person to come. Then they both get into the car, lock the doors and drive off safely making sure that no one is following them.
The same is true when using an ATM machine, and he pointed out that some are more secure than others. Avoid using any ATM that’s outside since someone can see you taking out cash. HSBC and Multi Bank have enclosed ATM’s with a guard on duty during the day. Inside El Rey there’s an ATM with a guard nearby and since the store is open 24-hours this is a good option for emergency late night withdrawals. When using an ATM, should someone approach you from behind and invade your “comfort zone,” simply hit the red button to cancel the transaction and walk away. Keep in mind that a $300 withdrawal may be small to a North American, but to a Panamanian that’s an entire month’s wages.
Three words we all need to remember are stop, look and listen. Look inside your car before getting in to be sure nothing has been tampered with. Purchases or anything else left in the car need to be out of sight, and doors should be locked.
Listen to what you’re telling other people like hired help and even friends. Your maid doesn’t need to know where the safe is in the house. Friends don’t need to know how much money you have in the bank or how expensive that necklace is that you just inherited from your deceased grandmother’s estate.
Look at how you’re dressed and how much expensive jewelry you flaunt in public. Pick up an inexpensive pre-paid cell phone that you can afford to have stolen. Keep your costly phones and electronic devices safely tucked away. Before you enter your property look around for anything unusual. If you have guard dogs are they acting normal? Once inside the house look around again to see if anything’s been moved, broken or is missing.
Consider carrying an unassuming weapon like a whistle, keys or a flashlight. Criminals don’t like loud noises or bright lights so something as simple as a high-powered flashlight shining in someone’s face may be all it takes to send them running. Blowing a whistle to call attention to yourself is another good way to scare off perspective criminals.
According to Perry those of us that don’t look like victims won’t end up becoming one. “If at any time you do feel threatened, take a boxers stance with feet apart, put your fists up and stare the person directly in the face, as if to say bring it on.” Criminals don’t want to attack someone that’s willing to fight, they want easy targets that they can knock down and steal from. And whenever possible in a threatening situation stand with your back up against a wall, this way you can see what’s going on all around you.
And remember that any weapon you choose to own, like guns, knives, tasers, pepper spray, baseball bats, machetes and bb guns can be used against you. Proper training is also necessary and on going practice is a must if you choose to own a gun.
The following are the steps that you need to follow should you become the victim of a crime. Remember that things are different here in Panama, and we must follow their rules. Let’s say you come home to discover that your house has been broken into. What do you do now?
1. Call the police….someone will show up and secure the crime scene only. The officer will NOT file a report but will just look around to make sure the criminals are gone.
2. Next step is to go to DIJ (Department of Judicial Investigation) the local investigative bureau here where you’ll need to file a report. If you DO NOT file a report with DIJ, nothing else will be done. After you file a report someone from DIJ will come to your house to investigate.
3. Follow up with the police department, ask to see your case file, ask if fingerprints have been taken and if not, ask to have this done. Stay on top of things and don’t be afraid to bother the police frequently and take control of the situation.
4. If any arrests have been made you’ll be asked to go before a prosecuting attorney to make a statement again.
5. Eventually you’ll be asked to appear in court and take the witness stand. This will all take a while, perhaps even a year or more, but be patient and don’t back down. And remember if your Spanish is not fluent take someone with you that can interpret at all times. Panama is a Spanish speaking country and they are not responsible to provide a translator for us.
Important Phone Numbers:
Coronado police…240-4222 English speaking officer for emergency only
Gorgona police…..240-6033
Chame police…….240-6666
Sgt. Francis’ Cell…6913-4199, he speaks English
National police….253-5555
If all numbers are busy….253-3333
DIJ Chame…..240-6082, 6061
More safety meetings will be held in the future for anyone interested in picking up valuable tips. Both Jim Rizik and Perry McMullin are available for free home assessments of your property. They will come to your home, look around and make suggestions as to how you can make it safer.
If you have any security questions or would like a home security check. Please email Jim Rizik at jwr2001@msn.com
