CRIME INCREASE SOUTHERN AREA OF MANABI PROVINCE - JIPIJAPA, PAJáN, PUERTO LOPEZ - SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
The southern part of Manabi province has seen a significant increase in crime over the last year. In the past the cantons of Jipijapa, Paján, and Puerto Lopez had little crime reported as compared to Portoviejo, Manta, Chone, and El Carmen.
Most of the recent crime has been assaults on highways, robberies, and kidnappings. There are also numerous reports of stolen luggage and photography equipment from tourists. One gang of robbers uses a tactic of diverting traffic off the highway and then stealing the vehicles and robbing the occupants. On August 19, 2010 a bus was robbed in this manner victimizing thirty passengers
According to authorities and residents a major cause of the increase in crime is the lack of police presence in rural areas. In some cases there is no presence at all. Hosteria Alándaluz has asked the government for more police in the area. They were last robbed on June 19, 2010 when armed bandits assaulted 35 guests and employees.
Ecuadortraveladvisory.com continues to recommend that individuals not use bus services for highway travel at night because of the chances of robbery and also the high risk of accidents. Furthermore, it should be noted that travelers be vigilant in the selection of where they stay in rural areas. Establishments that cater to tourism may become an ever increasing target for criminals due in part to minimal police presence in the area. Ecuadortraveladvisory recommends to inquire with any lodging companies in isolated areas as to any security they provide - for example armed guards on the property. This may substantially deter the chances of an attack by intruders.
http://www.ecuadortraveladvisory.com
The southern part of Manabi province has seen a significant increase in crime over the last year. In the past the cantons of Jipijapa, Paján, and Puerto Lopez had little crime reported as compared to Portoviejo, Manta, Chone, and El Carmen.
Most of the recent crime has been assaults on highways, robberies, and kidnappings. There are also numerous reports of stolen luggage and photography equipment from tourists. One gang of robbers uses a tactic of diverting traffic off the highway and then stealing the vehicles and robbing the occupants. On August 19, 2010 a bus was robbed in this manner victimizing thirty passengers
According to authorities and residents a major cause of the increase in crime is the lack of police presence in rural areas. In some cases there is no presence at all. Hosteria Alándaluz has asked the government for more police in the area. They were last robbed on June 19, 2010 when armed bandits assaulted 35 guests and employees.
Ecuadortraveladvisory.com continues to recommend that individuals not use bus services for highway travel at night because of the chances of robbery and also the high risk of accidents. Furthermore, it should be noted that travelers be vigilant in the selection of where they stay in rural areas. Establishments that cater to tourism may become an ever increasing target for criminals due in part to minimal police presence in the area. Ecuadortraveladvisory recommends to inquire with any lodging companies in isolated areas as to any security they provide - for example armed guards on the property. This may substantially deter the chances of an attack by intruders.
http://www.ecuadortraveladvisory.com
