[PUP] Thefts in St. Martin

[Patrik Kinander]

Just had to send you this:

>From  State Department's assessment of travel safety in Venezuela:

"Violent crime in Venezuela has spiked in recent months.  The country
has the highest per-capita murder rate in the world.  Armed robberies
take place in broad daylight . . . including areas generally presumed
safe and frequented by tourists.  Well armed criminal gangs operate
with impunity, often setting up fake police checkpoints.  "
............
"Many criminals are armed with guns or knives and will use force.
Jewelry attracts the attention of thieves.  Travelers are advised to
leave jewelry items, especially expensive-looking wristwatches, at
home.  Gangs of thieves will often surround their victims and use a
chokehold to disable them, even in crowded market areas where there is
little or no police presence. "
....................
"The growing number of incidents of piracy off the coast of Venezuela
are of increasing concern.  Some of these incidents have been
especially violent, including the severe beating of a U.S. citizen in
2002, the fatal shooting of an Italian citizen in January 2004, and a
machete attack on a U.S. citizen in 2005.  U.S. citizen yachters
should exercise a heightened level of caution in Venezuelan waters.
The U.S. Coast Guard's flyer outlining safety precautions for yachters
in around Venezuela can be found on the Embassy's web site."

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1059.html