R 091803Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0988

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000022 
 
 
DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/FPD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: ANNUAL OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT 2008 - PRAGUE 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132056 
 
 
¶I.  CRIME: 
 
The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy in Central 
Europe and became a full member of the EU in 2004 and a 
member of the Schengen zone in 2007.  The Schengen Agreement 
allows people inside the Schengen Zone to move freely without 
being stopped at national borders. 
 
The Czech Republic is rated a low crime threat post by the 
Department of State.  Violent and/or confrontational crime is 
rare.  The type of crime visitors are most frequently exposed 
to is petty street crime, particularly pick-pocketing.  These 
incidents frequently occur in crowded tourist spots. Special 
caution is warranted in and around public transportation 
areas such as train stations, when boarding and exiting trams 
and subways. Other areas where tourists congregate in Prague, 
such as Charles Bridge, Wenceslas and Old Town Squares are 
also favored target areas for thieves.  Some of these 
pickpocket rings are very professional and can have as many 
as six to eight members on the street operating against the 
same target or group of targets.  Mostly victims report being 
jostled and distracted in a crowded area while they were 
totally unaware of their wallet or valuables being lifted. 
Also there are some reports of purse snatching or valuables 
being lifted off the back of seat chairs at outdoor cafes. 
 
"Date rape" drugs such as Rohypnol, have also been used at 
local bars and clubs, although recent claims are 
unsubstantiated.  Customers of these establishments are 
advised not to accept drinks from anyone other than 
waiters/waitresses and not to leave their drink unattended. 
 
Visitors are also advised to change money only at banks or 
legitimate money kiosks. An offer to change money by an 
unknown person on the street is most likely tied to a scam. 
Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widely available 
throughout major cities in the Czech Republic.  Most ATMs 
have multilingual instructions and allow you to access U.S. 
bank accounts. 
 
Auto thefts and break-ins are common in the Czech Republic, 
especially in major cities.  It is recommended travelers use 
parking garages and some type of anti-theft device to 
discourage these incidents.  It is important not to leave 
valuables in plain sight inside vehicles.  The recovery rate 
of stolen vehicles, as with most stolen property, is 
extremely low.  The Czech Republic also serves as a transit 
route for stolen cars from Western Europe that are heading 
east and south. 
 
Taxis are clearly marked.  Visitors should be alert to the 
potential for substantial overcharging by taxis, particularly 
in areas frequented by tourists.  Some taxi drivers charge 
unsuspecting foreigners two, three times or more than the 
standard rate.  The Embassy is aware of a report involving an 
individual who hailed a taxi on a street near a popular night 
club.  The individual was reportedly subsequently robbed and 
endured minor injuries prior to being dropped off outside of 
Prague.  It is recommended that you call for a taxi, rather 
than hail one on the street, or obtain a taxi at one of the 
"Fair Place" taxi stands regulated by the Prague 
municipality.  Customers should also make sure the taxi meter 
is utilized. 
 
 
II. POLITICAL VIOLENCE: 
 
While residents and visitors to the Czech Republic are not 
especially at risk at this time, the Department of State has 
issued a number of recent Public Announcements cautioning 
Americans worldwide to maintain a level of vigilance against 
potential terrorist incidents.  All visitors are advised to 
be continually aware of their surroundings and be alert to 
suspicious activities or individuals. 
 
Civil disorder in the Czech Republic is rare, although 
strikes and demonstrations do occasionally occur.  Public 
protests are usually non-violent and issue-centered. 
Demonstrations in front of the U.S. Embassy in 2008 have 
focused primarily on issues regarding the new missile defense 
radar proposed by the U.S., and will likely continue as the 
issue progresses.  Demonstrations are usually small and 
peaceful.  Most demonstrations number less than fifty, but 
have been known to exceed 500 participants.  As in many 
countries around the world, there have also been incidents of 
violence involving rowdy fans at sporting events.  Visitors 
should be cautious in any crowded venues.  During these 
incidents and other demonstrations, the police were generally 
well-prepared and handled the protesters in a professional 
and competent manner. 
 
III. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS: 
 
Leaving the scene of a traffic accident, even a minor one, is 
against the law in the Czech Republic. If you are involved in 
a fender-bender without additional property damage or 
injuries, and vehicular damage is under 100,000 Kc you may 
settle with the other driver without the police.  However, 
due to potential communication problems and difficulties in 
calculating vehicle damage, visitors are advised not to move 
their vehicle and to wait until the police arrive. 
 
The Czech Republic has a zero tolerance policy for drinking 
and driving, with a zero blood alcohol limit for operating a 
vehicle.  Police may request administration of a breathalyzer 
test randomly or at the scene of a traffic accident. 
Depending upon blood alcohol level, the driver could face an 
official fine or criminal justice proceedings. 
 
Persons driving into the Czech Republic should be aware that 
a road usage tax sticker is required to drive legally on 
major highways.  The stickers are available at gasoline 
stations on highways.  Failure to not have the sticker or 
properly display it can result in a fine.  Drivers should pay 
special attention to driving on cobblestone and among 
streetcars and tourists in historic city centers.  Speed 
limits are 50 km/h in towns and 120km/h on highways. 
Headlights are required when the vehicle is moving in the 
Czech Republic.  All traffic citations can result in on the 
spot fines. 
 
Public transportation operates on the honor system with 
random inspection for a valid ticket by municipal 
transportation inspectors.  Failure to have a ticket can 
result in a fine on the spot also.  Tickets must be validated 
in the yellow stamp box at the entrance to the metro and on 
trams and buses. 
 
Several factors make the Czech Republic an attractive country 
for groups in the drug trade.  These include its central 
location, the closure of most of the traditional customs 
posts along the nation's borders, low detection rates for 
laundered drug money, low risk of asset confiscation, and 
relatively short prison sentences for drug-related crimes. 
Although not an important regional financial center, both 
geographic and economic factors make the Czech Republic 
vulnerable to money laundering.  Narcotics trafficking, 
smuggling, auto theft, arms trafficking, tax fraud, 
embezzlement, racketeering, prostitution, and trafficking in 
illegal aliens are the major sources of funds that are 
laundered in the Czech Republic currency exchanges, casinos 
and other gaming establishments.  Domestic and foreign 
organized crime groups have been known to target Czech 
financial institutions, currency exchanges, casinos and other 
gaming establishments for money laundering activities. 
 
 
IV. POLICE RESPONSE: 
 
Tourism is a major industry and source of currency for the 
Czech Republic. Authorities attempt to be responsive to 
foreign residents/visitors in need, however, lack of adequate 
resources and manpower hamper proactive police measures in 
most areas, including areas frequented by foreigners. Police 
efforts to be responsive to the needs of tourists include 
placement of multilingual officers at several police stations 
throughout Prague and other Czech cities and police vans at 
or near major tourist sites. 
 
Incidents of police harassment or unwarranted detention are 
quite rare. 
 
Police emergency operations center...112 
 
This is an all purpose emergency number similar to 911 in the 
U.S. It is a 24-hour toll-free number where callers can 
report emergencies or request emergency assistance in English 
from Czech ambulance services, the fire department and the 
police. 
 
 
¶V.  MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: 
 
Prague has good Western-style medical clinics and some 
English-speaking doctors and dentists.  However, medical 
facilities are more limited outside the capital of Prague. 
Doctors and hospitals often expect cash payment for health 
services.  Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization 
and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost 
thousands of dollars or more. 
 
Emergency contact numbers: 
 
Ambulance (24 hour emergency number) ...............112 
 
Canadian Medical Center ..................  235-360-133 
Cardiac problems: Na Homolce Hospital....   257-272-146 
or........................................  257-271-111 
Motol Hospital, Foreigners Dept. 
     Adult emergencies:  .................  224-433-681 
     Child emergencies:  .................  224-433-690 
 
 
VI.  TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM: 
 
--As indicated above, visitors and residents alike should be 
alert to pickpockets and purse snatchers on trams, metros, 
outdoor cafes and in the tourist areas of Prague, mainly 
around Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. 
 
--It is recommended that visitors carry only the amount of 
cash they need for that day's transactions and maintain a low 
profile.  Also travelers should know the number to their bank 
to immediately cancel their cards once they have determined 
them lost or stolen. 
 
--Do not carry your passport with you while traveling around 
town, unless you plan to travel internationally.  Instead, 
carry a photocopy of your passport,s identity page and 
ensure the original document is securely stored at your hotel. 
 
--Changing money on the street is not recommended.  Money may 
be exchanged at exchange kiosks located throughout tourist 
areas, at major hotels and banks. Most reputable 
establishments in the Czech Republic accept major credit 
cards and their use is relatively safe. Automated 24-hour 
teller machines are also widely available. 
 
--Never leave anything of value inside a vehicle that is left 
in plain sight.  This can result in a broken window or forced 
and damaged door lock, and theft of the item. 
 
--For the business community, a number of private security 
companies are located in the Czech Republic. The larger ones 
generally have good reputations. 
 
--There are no areas of Prague that are considered high crime 
areas but all travelers are advised to exercise a heightened 
awareness when frequenting night clubs and using public 
transportation late at night. 
 
--Call for a taxi, rather than hail one on the street, or 
obtain a taxi at one of the "Fair Place" taxi stands 
regulated by the Prague municipality.  Customers should also 
make sure the taxi meter is utilized. 
 
--Visitors should be cautious in crowded venues, especially 
en route to and at sporting events where rowdy fans may 
become unruly. 
 
--Exercising common sense precautions, as one would in any 
large city that is a tourist destination, will enable most 
travelers to avoid becoming victims of crime in the Czech 
Republic. 
 
 
VII. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 
 
Emergency contact information: 
 
Country Code:  420 
 
Consular Section/American Citizen Services: 
                                  257-022-375 
Foreign Commercial Service:       257-022-434 
Regional Security Office:         257-022-308 
After hours Embassy Emergency No. 257-022-000 
 
Americans living in or visiting the Czech Republic are 
encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. 
Embassy in the Czech Republic and obtain updated information 
on travel and security within the Czech Republic. 
Information is also available on the Embassy's web site at 
http://www.usembassy.cz. 
 
 
VIII. OSAC COUNTRY COUNCIL INFORMATION: 
 
Information on OSAC in the Czech Republic can be found on 
http://Prague.osac.gov/ 
 
 
Graber