Warden Message: Quito, Ecuador, Home Invasions

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Printer Friendly Email Article RELATED REPORTS 16 Jan 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: ECUADOR DEMONSTRATION JANUARY 20 14 Jan 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: QUITO, ECUADOR, PROTESTS ANTICIPATED JANUARY 15 8 Jan 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: ECUADOR DEMONSTRATION JANUARY 8 6 Jan 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: ECUADOR DEMONSTRATION JANUARY 6 19 Nov 2008 WARDEN MESSAGE: ECUADOR PIRACY WARNING U.S. Embassy Quito issued the following Warden Message on January 29:

The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador wishes to inform American citizens visiting or resident in Ecuador that during January 2009 the U.S. Embassy has received reports of two armed home/apartment invasions in the Gonzalez Suarez and El Bosque neighborhoods of Quito. One home invasion was perpetrated against an American citizen. In each incident, numerous armed assailants entered the private residence and violently threatened the homeowners with weapons. The assailants proceeded to rob the residence of electronics, jewelry, and other items of value.

These incidents are reminders of the high crime rate in Quito. American citizens are reminded to maintain good overseas security practices in their day-to-day activities and be vigilant at all times.

Below are personal security recommendations one can use as precautionary measures in an effort to minimize the threat of the crime described above:

- If possible, limit the amount of information that you share with doormen, maids, vendors, temporary workers, etc.

- If possible, limit the amount of access to your residence that you provide to doormen, vendors, temporary workers, etc.

- Instruct domestic staff never to admit any unauthorized individual into your residence. No one should enter your residence unless given your express approval.

- Be extra cautious when entering and departing your residence. Be on the lookout for individuals loitering nearby or any suspicious activity. Instruct household staff and family members to look for suspicious activities around your residence and know how to call local law enforcement if the need arises.

- Home invasions tend to be confrontational in nature, making them much more dangerous. If you find yourself in such a situation, remember that no material possession is worth risking injury to oneself or loved ones.

Please see the section on Crime in the Country Specific Information Sheet on Ecuador for more information on crime in Ecuador. If an American is the victim of a crime, please contact the Embassy in Quito or Consulate in Guayaquil immediately.

Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. Please see the following links for local warden message information in Quito and Guayaquil, respectively, http://ecuador.usembassy.gov and http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov.

U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Ecuador and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov. Updated information on travel and security in Ecuador may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.

The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro. The telephone during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) is (011) 593 2 398 5000 X3800. Within the same city use the last seven digits. Add the city code for intercity telephone calls. See also the Embassy web site at http://ecuador.usembassy.gov. American Citizen walk-in hours are between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Thursday, excluding U.S. and Ecuadorian holidays.

The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of Avenida 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde); telephone (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies; fax (011-593-4) 232-0904. See the Consulate General web site at http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov.

They are warning gringos because of TWO "armed home invasions? Hell we have more that this on a daily basis in every city of any size in the US. I suppose we should warn ourselves about this as well. Fortunately in the US "armed home invasion" frequently ends in the death of the perp. Μολὼν λάβε

2 posted on 02/01/2009 3:19:04 AM PST by wastoute (translation of tag "Come and get them (bastards)")

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