Job Discussion Forums

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 6:01 pm Post subject:

Interesting point to ponder.

My opinion:

Anybody can get robbed. And I certainly have. But I can't help but notice that it tends to happen to some people, over and over. And others it hardly touches. Being streetsmart, keeping track of the space around you, carrying little and carrying it carefully...these things help. Knowing your way around helps a lot. Not engaging in criminal activity also helps a lot. Being medium to sober helps a hell of a lot.

I haven't ever been robbed in Quito. People do get robbed here, but if you're on your toes, the odds go low enough that, for me, they're tolerable.

In the time I've been here, I've known one guy who's had his cell phone stoled 6 times. I'm not one to blame the victim, but it tended to happen when he was around "gringolandia," too drunk to make much sense, late at night. Hmmm.

Another aquaintance was robbed several times while trying to score dope on the street. Again, this is a vulnerable position to be in; as it's a felony here, people know you won't report getting held up in your drug search.

Play safe, and you can get by without too many problems. I'm sure if I stay long enough, I'll get robbed here eventually. Still, it's nothing that couldn't happen in Camberwell Green.

Saludos,
Justin

woof · Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Posts: 17 Location: Indiana

Being street smart certainly helps keep a person safe.

It seems to me, though, that political unrest such as the type in Colombia is completely different from ordinary urban crime.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/5041044.stm