Slovakia 2008 Crime & Safety Report

 

The Slovak Republic has a medium rate of crime.  Although violent crime is not unheard of, it is relatively uncommon. Visitors are urged to exercise precautions practiced in any large city such as, using the buddy system instead of walking alone at night and keep to well-lit, populous areas if possible. It is also good practice to pay attention to your personal belonging, as they are popular targets of local thieves. The local pick-pockets are professional and most active during the summer months. Pick-pockets tend to utilize distraction techniques to confuse their target.  They prefer locations such as shopping centers, markets, public transportation (in the vicinity of Old Town), near major hotels and tourist sites, and on the night trains to Prague and Warsaw. Power struggles within the organized crime syndicate, which can be violent, occur from time to time mostly outside of Old Town Bratislava. This activity is not directed against Americans or other foreigners.

 

The rate of auto theft connected to organized crime is very high.  High-end European and American cars are preferred targets of theft. The use of alarm systems or anti-theft devices is strongly recommended.

 

 

The threat of political violence directed against American citizens is low.  Public demonstrations in Slovakia are common and typically peaceful. Demonstrations must be pre-approved by the city and are generally small, numbering less than 100 participants.

 

The threat of terrorism in Slovakia directed against American citizens is considered low.  However, U.S. citizens and U.S. interests abroad remain at risk of terrorist attacks by groups with links to Al-Qaida. These individuals do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.

 

Americans visiting the Slovak Republic are urged to abide by local laws and monitor the local news.

 

 

The Slovak Republic is generally considered to be a relatively safe place to live. However, one security concern stems from the ‘Skinhead’ elements present in Slovakia.  Although they do no specifically target American citizens, any non-Caucasian individual could be targeted by this group.  Skinheads also target members of the “Roma” (Gypsy) minority.  Laws have been enacted to fight the racially motivated attacks that include stiffer penalties than the “normal” assault statutes, yet the issue remains a difficult crime to prosecute in Slovakia.   Therefore, it is not uncommon for prosecutors to charge the offender under the more easily proven ‘simple assault’ statutes to increase the chance of a successful prosecution; the perpetrator thus avoids the heavier penalty carried by the hate-crime statutes.

 

Many elements of the police are considered by the public to be corrupt.  As such, their image is tarnished, which has led to a gradual deterioration in public confidence. Their responsiveness to criminal incidents depends on the type and severity of the crime involved, and the social status of the complainant.  Many foreigners who have been the victim of crime will find their interactions with the police to be somewhat frustrating due to the language barrier, as few police officers speak English. However, the police do make an effort to staff their 24-hour emergency numbers with individuals who have some English-speaking capabilities. The emergency numbers are listed below:

Police (Emergency): 158

Police (Non-Emergency): 09610-1111

Fire: 150

Ambulance: 155

 

 

Medical facilities and services are extremely limited throughout the Slovak Republic and do not present the appearance or service that one would expect of a stateside hospital. Unless it is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate attention, U.S. Embassy staff will generally use medical facilities in Vienna, or elsewhere in Austria. In the event of a medical emergency requiring immediate care, the U.S. Embassy has contracted with a local English-speaking doctor to provide medical advice to Embassy personnel, as well as act an expediter through the Slovak medical system. It is worth noting that hospitals in Austria tend not to release the patient as quickly as hospitals in the United States.

 

Listed below are some useful contact numbers:

NAME Dr. Capova
TYPE Medical
ADDRESS Krajinsk 91
Pavilion G, Door 310
Podunaj ske Biskupice
TELEPHONE 4025-1235 or 09034-637-836

NAME Dr. Kostolanska
TYPE Medical
ADDRESS Krasna Horka Hospital
Dumbierska 3
Pavilion C, First Floor
TELEPHONE 5954-2754 or 0903-263-913

NAME Dr. Ingrid Lehotska
TYPE Dentist
ADDRESS Mierova 52A
Bratislava, Slovakia
TELEPFONE 4342-6984 or 4342-7017

NAME Dr. Adriena Nemcova
TYPE Dentist
ADDRE9S Drienova 16
Bratislava, Slovakia
TELEPI4ONE 4333-5703

Bratilava City Ambulance
155

Krama e Hospital
Limbo a 5
8330 Bratislava
5954- 111 or 5477-2163 or 5477-3466

Hainburg Hospital
Hainburg, Austria
0043- 1-6590-5010

Most of the crimes reported to the Regional Security Officer involve petty theft (purse-snatching, cellular telephone grabbing, pick-pocketing) and vehicle break-ins. However, in November 2007, a vehicle belonging to an American Mission member was stolen and never recovered. The individuals most often targeted for purse-snatchings are newly-arrived personnel and tourists who are unfamiliar with the local environment.  A traveler can minimize the chances of becoming a victim by taking the basic, yet necessary, personal security precautions one would take in any congested urban environment, including increasing public awareness of one’s surroundings, and properly securing valuables on their person or in a hotel room.

Most reports are generated in Old Town Bratislava.  The congregation of tourists in this area leads to the influx of criminal elements eager to rid a visitor of their valuables. Travelers should minimize the amount of valuables and money they carry on their person.

 

Automobile theft is also a common occurrence in the Slovak Republic. Many stolen vehicles are quickly transported out of the country for resale in neighboring countries. Preferred targets for the auto thief are up-market European and American cars. The use of an alarm system or anti-theft device is strongly encouraged.

The security guard company sector is a growth industry in Slovakia. However, many of these companies have ties to organized crime. As with any business venture, care should be taken to choose a reputable company when selecting a security service.

All numbers should be preceded by the country code (421) and city code (2):

AMERICAN EMBASSY: 5443-0861 or 5443-3338

DUTY OFFICER: 0903-703-666

CONSULAR SECTION: 5922-3299

FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SECTION: 5920-5311 

OSAC Country Council
There is presently no country council in Slovakia. 

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