Warnings about increasing Crime in Samoa
By Cherelle S Jackson
Three Countries are warning their visitors to be careful when travelling to Samoa due to the increase in Crime. In their monthly releases the Police make no mention of Crime levels in Samoa although there is an interest in from the media for this information.
The US Embassy warns below
CRIME: Overall, Samoa is considered a low threat environment. Nevertheless, visitors should remain aware of their surroundings, lock their doors at night, and not leave their belongings unattended. Although violent crimes involving foreign visitors are rare, incidents of petty theft/robberies of personal effects are fairly common.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: In Apia and many villages, stray dogs wander the streets. Visitors should not approach or feed them; they can become aggressive in the presence of food or if they feel threatened.
Although there have been no major accidents involving the ferry service linking Upolu and Savai’i, vessels are sometimes overloaded. One of the ferries, a multi-deck automobile ferry, sometimes transports passengers on its automobile deck. Americans who choose to use this ferry are encouraged not to remain in the automobile deck during the crossing and to ride only in the passenger compartment in order to avoid injury from shifting vehicles.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1009.html
The Australian Embassy states:
CRIME - Petty crime, particularly theft, is prevalent in Samoa. Burglaries, sometimes accompanied by violence, are becoming an increasing problem. There has also been an increase in drug-related serious crime, including violent assaults and shootings.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Samoa
And UK residents are warned below:
CRIME Overall crime in Samoa is low, though there are incidents of petty theft and robberies of personal effects.
TRAVEL No roadside assistance is available. Most major roads are tar-sealed, but secondary roads are predominantly dirt and gravel, and may be overgrown. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for travel on these roads. Travelers should be aware that vehicle safety regulations are rarely enforced, and traffic violations occur routinely. Night driving on unlit rural roads can be dangerous and should be avoided if possible. Roads in Samoa often traverse small streams. Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution when fording these streams, which can become swollen and dangerous with little warning. Vehicles should never enter a stream if the roadbed is not visible or if the water's depth exceeds the vehicle's clearance. Tourist facilities are accessible by bus, taxi, and car and are within walking distance of access roads.
http://www.thehtd.org/travel/destination.asp?DocID=155
Three Countries are warning their visitors to be careful when travelling to Samoa due to the increase in Crime. In their monthly releases the Police make no mention of Crime levels in Samoa although there is an interest in from the media for this information.
The US Embassy warns below
CRIME: Overall, Samoa is considered a low threat environment. Nevertheless, visitors should remain aware of their surroundings, lock their doors at night, and not leave their belongings unattended. Although violent crimes involving foreign visitors are rare, incidents of petty theft/robberies of personal effects are fairly common.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: In Apia and many villages, stray dogs wander the streets. Visitors should not approach or feed them; they can become aggressive in the presence of food or if they feel threatened.
Although there have been no major accidents involving the ferry service linking Upolu and Savai’i, vessels are sometimes overloaded. One of the ferries, a multi-deck automobile ferry, sometimes transports passengers on its automobile deck. Americans who choose to use this ferry are encouraged not to remain in the automobile deck during the crossing and to ride only in the passenger compartment in order to avoid injury from shifting vehicles.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1009.html
The Australian Embassy states:
CRIME - Petty crime, particularly theft, is prevalent in Samoa. Burglaries, sometimes accompanied by violence, are becoming an increasing problem. There has also been an increase in drug-related serious crime, including violent assaults and shootings.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Samoa
And UK residents are warned below:
CRIME Overall crime in Samoa is low, though there are incidents of petty theft and robberies of personal effects.
TRAVEL No roadside assistance is available. Most major roads are tar-sealed, but secondary roads are predominantly dirt and gravel, and may be overgrown. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for travel on these roads. Travelers should be aware that vehicle safety regulations are rarely enforced, and traffic violations occur routinely. Night driving on unlit rural roads can be dangerous and should be avoided if possible. Roads in Samoa often traverse small streams. Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution when fording these streams, which can become swollen and dangerous with little warning. Vehicles should never enter a stream if the roadbed is not visible or if the water's depth exceeds the vehicle's clearance. Tourist facilities are accessible by bus, taxi, and car and are within walking distance of access roads.
http://www.thehtd.org/travel/destination.asp?DocID=155
posted by The Naked Journalist at 2:33 AM
1 Comments:
I agree with these warnings, these are just precautions to citizens of these countries about samoa.
And fair enough.
There is crime in Samoa.
And thieves
And rapists
And child molesters
and incest,
So to the daft tourist who thinks he/shes/its going to paradise,
get over yourself.
It's 2006 mate, Noah's dead and George Bush is a President.
And to those who equally think Samoa is heaven on earth with lush beauty, happy pipol and two legged hotties.
Reality check.
We are like any kountry in the world, with real people and real problems there, there's no silver lining and no sweet sweet honey on the other side,
eh, but visit anyways, its gorgeous, ...just hold on tight to your wallet, cover your legs, go to church on sunday, dont eat and walk, speak respectfuly to elders, give up your seat on the bus to women/old man/woman/priest/person bigger than you, avoid the stray dogs, don't drink the tap water, ...
oh yes, Samoa is treasured islands of the south pacific in the heart of polonesia.
Relle, remind me again i worked at tourism,
hehe...
fa laia, ma kope ia le update iga o lau page.
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