Romania 2008 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety

Europe - Romania
11 Jun 2008

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Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Travel in Romania can present unique safety and security challenges. While most crimes against visitors are limited to property theft, the U.S. Mission has noted an increase in violence associated with these thefts - particularly late at night. Travelers should be aware of scams involving individuals posing as plainclothes policemen, persons approaching with promises of “quick friendship” at train/subway stations, pick-pocketing in crowded areas and muggings. Panhandlers (often groups of children) can be very aggressive and have resorted to grabbing/tearing clothing in their efforts to steal. When dining in restaurants, visitors should not hang handbags or suit coats on the backs of chairs. Wallets and other valuables can/will be stolen if caution is not exercised. Extreme care should be taken when patronizing “night clubs,” which can charge exorbitant prices and are relentless in pursuing payment. The U.S. Mission has noted a slight increase in sex crimes directed against American citizens (expats and those in the extended U.S. Mission community), and the RSO has received reports of harassment of religious workers on church missions.

Credit card and internet fraud are among the most common crimes affecting foreigners in Romania. U.S citizens should exercise caution when traveling to Romania to meet individuals known only through contact over the internet. Driving in Romania is hazardous and presents one of the biggest safety concerns that visitors to Romania will encounter. Driving concerns in Romania relate to the fact that theremay be little regard for commonly accepted rules of the road. The Government of Romania has enacted new legislation which may result in better enforcement of existing traffic laws and has introduced a new traffic code intended to make driving in Romania safer. While the transportation code was improved, the government subsequently announced it was going to ease enforcement. Visitors who will drive in Romania must familiarize themselves with Romanian traffic laws.

Political Violence

The assessed threat to visitors as the result of political violence (general civil unrest) is medium. The Government of Romania does give permission to groups who wish to assemble for demonstration purposes. Demonstrations are normally well-contained and the police are close at hand to respond in the event of violence. Nevertheless, for general safety purposes, it is wise to stay away from these gatherings and be alert to the fact that normal traffic patterns can be disrupted during and just after the event.

Post Specific Concerns

Natural Disasters

Several Romanian cities, to include Bucharest, are located in active seismic zones. The last major earthquake in Bucharest took place in 1977, with a loss of over 1,000 lives, but smaller quakes have taken place as recently as 2004, 2005 and 2006. Civil authorities have plans in place for major disasters but authorities could become overwhelmed in the event of a major quake. Travelers should assume that in the event of a natural disaster authorities will determine priorities and there may be no guaranteed support for visitors.

Romania experiences severe winters and roads are not maintained to the same standard as those in the United States, which makes for extremely hazardous driving in winter months. Travelers must be prepared for extreme winter conditions and should expect lengthy delays if traveling by vehicle, train or air during the winter.

In 2007, Avian Influenza was found in tests of domestic poultry at a couple of locations in Romania. At present, the Romanian government reports there are no current cases of Avian Influenza in the country. If cases do emerge, visitors are advised to avoid areas identified by the Romanian government as being affected by Avian Influenza. The U.S. Embassy Bucharest reminds all visitors traveling to Romania to take all suggested precautions listed at: http://travel.state.gov.

Police Response

The level of assistance that can be expected from Romanian Police varies. Authorities are often ineffective at deterring crime and police response to emergency calls can be too slow to disrupt incidents in progress. Proactive enforcement of traffic violations is improving. Romanian police do have the capability to conduct complex criminal investigations, but are over-burdened with investigating and responding to petty crimes. If a victim desires a serious response by the local authorities they must be prepared to devote time and effort in order to wade through local bureaucracy.

Medical Emergencies

Below is a list of local hospitals:

Ertiergency Hospitals
8 Calea Floreasca Street, Sector 1
Telephone: 599-2300 / 962 or if calling from cell phone, in country - 021/599-2300

Hospital Euro Clinic (NEW in 2005)
14A Calea Floreasca Street, Sector 1
Telephone 200-6800 / or if calling from cell phone, in country - 021/200-6800, FAX - 021/2313525.  E-mail: office@spitaluleuroclinic.ro  

Central Hospital for Children
“Grigore Alexandrescu”
30-32 lancu de Hunedoara Street
Telephone: 316-9366 / or if calling from cell phone, in country - 021/316-9366

Private Clinics:

BioDerm
42 Mihai Eminescu Street
Telephone: 211-7136/211-9674 / or if calling from cell phone, in country - 021/211-7136 or 021/211-9674.

Village Medical Clinic
119 Soseaua Nordului
Telephone: 232-3580

Centrul Medical “Usa Deschisa”
27 Prelungirea Ghencea, Sector 6
Telephone: 444-1994 / or if calling from cell phone, in country - 021/4441994

Ambulance Services:

Bio-Medica Ambulance
Telephone: 230-4570/0788-246-004

Air Ambulance
SOS Geneva
Telephone: 0041-22-785-6464

Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

Transportation

Travelers to Romania, particularly those who plan to visit large metropolitan areas, should be aware that organized groups of thieves and pick-pockets (including very young children and well-dressed young adults) operate in train stations and on trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation. Train travel in Romania is inexpensive, convenient, and can be enjoyable if you exercise care while traveling. Unfortunately, crimes against train passengers are not uncommon. A number of thefts and assaults have occurred on trains, including thefts from passengers in closed compartments. While most crimes that take place on trains or in train stations are non-violent and non-confrontational in nature, the Regional Security Office has received reports where victims have suffered physical injury.

When traveling by train in Romania, please consider the following advice:

• Do not travel alone if it can be avoided. This is especially true if you are contemplating taking an “overnight train.” This is important because every incident reported to the Embassy has involved a lone traveler. If you are traveling with a small group on the overnight train, the RSO suggests that you sleep in shifts. This will allow you to protect your belongings at all times.
• Do not leave your personal property unattended while you use the restroom or while you visit another railcar to purchase a snack. The majority of the thefts reported to the RSO involve the theft of unsupervised belongings. Laptops, cell phones, MP3 Players, wallets, and purses are the most common items reported stolen.
• Avoid spending an excessive amount of time at the train station, particularly late at night. Travelers have reported offers of “quick friendship,” incidents of pick pocketing in crowded terminals, aggressive panhandlers, and encounters with inebriated and emotionally disturbed individuals. The more time spent at the train station, the greater the likelihood of an event occurring. A recently reported incident involved a late night / early morning armed robbery at knife point of a traveler from a country that borders Romania.
• If you are approached by someone claiming to represent the rail company with a dispute about your ticket DO NOT obey requests to relocate to the crew coach to resolve the disagreement. A lone female traveler recently reported having to fend off an aggressive sexual advance made by a man claiming to be an employee of the rail line.
• Also keep in mind that your accommodations and class of service while traveling by train can make a difference. We strongly urge you to pay a little extra for the roomier first class seating options which afford more privacy. Comfort and privacy decrease with lower classes of service.

Visitors should exercise care and rely on the recommendations of hotels and dining establishments when selecting taxis. Dishonest cab drivers have been known to take advantage of unsuspecting visitors.

Currency Exchange Scams

Visitors should be aware that money exchange schemes are commonplace and some of these scams have become rather sophisticated. One example of a sophisticated scheme involves individuals posing as plain clothes “policemen” who approach the potential victim, flash a “badge” or other official-looking document, and accuse the victim of changing money illegally. Once approached, the victim is normally asked to prove they did not change money illegally and “the policemen” demands to see the victim’s money or wallet. In many cases, the thieves succeed in conning the victim out of money, passports, and cell phones. When approached by someone who offers to change money on the street or by someone who accuses you of changing money illegally, the traveler should continue walking. (Note: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate).

Another variation to this scam includes individuals posing as “militia” who request passports for an “immigration inspection”. In order to avoid becoming a victim of these scams, travelers should be aware that the bottom line is that legitimate plainclothes Romanian Police Officers do not ask travelers to present identification. If presented with a situation that resembles these scams, the visitor should insist on the presence of a uniformed police officer.

Vehicle Related Crime

Carjacking is not common in Romania. Travelers should ensure they have insurance to cover damages to vehicles as a result of crime. If travelers to Romania employ drivers, they should ensure that the individuals are prepared to exercise extreme caution while operating motor vehicles. Incidents of rude and aggressive driving (road rage) are commonplace. Thefts of vehicle parts, vandalism of parked vehicles, and thefts from vehicles are on the increase. Do not leave personal belongings or items of value in unattended vehicles. Travelers should also be advised that Romanian law has zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

For Further Information

Emergency Contact Information in Romania:

U.S. Embassy: +40 21 200-3300 (normal working hours) or +40 200-3433 (after hours and weekends).

Ambulance: 961 or 973 or 962 or 450-2855

Auto Accidents: 955 / 9545

Police: 955

Traffic Police: 981 / 323-3030

Any emergency: 112 

If calling from a cell phone, in Romania, the traveler should first dial 021 - then   the three or seven-digit telephone number. In the case of an emergency only 112 is needed.

U.S Mission to Romania:

The U.S Embassy in Romania is located at 7-9, Tudor Arghezi Street, District 2, Bucharest 020942. All U.S citizens are advised to register with the U.S Embassy and to obtain recent travel information for the country at:  http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/

The U.S Consulate in Romania is located at 26, Nicolae Filipescu Street, District 2, Bucharest 020962 and can be contacted at Telephone: (+40) 21 200-3300. For further consular information visit: http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/Visas/index.html