Personal Security
Violent Robbery: Security Tips Offered
This Warden Message is issued to alert American citizens residing in and traveling to Buenos Aires that according to local authorities, an Argentine man was killed by armed assailants last week in an early morning robbery attempt in his home in Acassuso, a northern Buenos Aires suburb. The case is currently under investigation. Based on this incident and others like it, the Embassy's Regional Security Office wishes to remind American citizens that Buenos Aires is a typical large city where violent and nonviolent crimes routinely happen.
Security officials recommend the following personal safety precautions.
• Always stay alert and remain aware of your surroundings. Be a hard target.
• Do not make any attempt to resist the criminals. Submit to their requests. Historical data support that criminals prefer to take your valuables and flee the scene without any altercation.
• Immediately report any unusual activity to police authorities.
• Employ all of your home's security features. Arm your home alarm system and engage all locks.
For the latest security information, Americans residing and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
For more information about security threats in Argentina, please see Country Specific Information for Argentina at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1130.html.
Americans residing or traveling in Argentina are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires through the Embassy website, http://argentina.usembassy.gov/. For those without Internet access, you may register at the Embassy, which is located at 4300 Av. Colombia, Palermo, Buenos Aires, telephone 011-54-11-5777-4387, after hours 011-54-11-5777-4873; fax 011-54-11-5777-4293. Public hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except U.S. and Argentine holidays.