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Paris Is a Safe City, But a Few Tips Won't HurtBy Christiann Anderson
Firearms, and related crimes, are rare in Paris. Under French law, any weapon of more than 7.65mm is prohibited for anyone but security personnel. Only people with high-risk jobs, such as jewelry storeowners can obtain pistols. But only after an extensive background check. Hunters and sports shooters must have valid permits and be a member of the French Shooting Federation before a weapon can be purchased. Although there have been several gun related incidents in the past few years, authorities put this down to ‘’lapses’’ and are now trying to tighten the rules. The Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes, large park areas in Paris, are beautiful and calm during the day. You will find young couples strolling with their children, single girls and women taking walks, and elderly couples sitting on park benches chatting. But, in the evening, these lovely gardens turn potentially dangerous when they become the venues for drug dealers and prostitutes. Be smart, and safe. Stay away from the parks at night.
Safety TipsTaxis: Being ‘’taken for a ride by a cabby,’’ is not a crime, but should be! Getting ripped off by a cab driver happens more often when you are in a foreign country, speaking a foreign language. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Taxi drivers are pretty much the same the world over. So be on the alert and prevent getting an unwanted, and expensive, tour of the city when you just want to get home. In Paris, after hours, it is common for a taxi driver to pass you by if you are not headed in the same direction they may be going. But if you are fortunate enough to get a cab on a busy night, here is something to be aware of; If you feel that the driver is unfairly charging you, or he/she gets aggressive, demand that a policeman be called to sort out the problem. This is within the rights of the customer, and usually calms the unreasonable taxi person. In some cases, the police will get in the cab and force the driver to start the trip over in order to gauge whether the driver is being honest or not. Most Paris cab drivers will either lower the price or drive away. But these situations are very rare! Handbags & Valuables: As I mentioned before, Paris is a relatively safe city, and sometimes the freedom of not having to constantly look over your shoulder can make you a bit complacent when it comes to crime-prevention behavior. So remember, when seated in sidewalk cafes and terraces, always place your bag or backpack under the table and secure it by placing the chair legs through the handles. If you are seated against the wall, hang bag over the back of the chair securing it against the wall. Dark streets: It is best to avoid very quiet streets after dark. Although muggings and physical attacks are rare, pickpockets and thieves are common. Especially on the metros whenever you leave your hotel, make certain that your hotel room is securely locked. False joggers: If a clean-cut jogger accidentally bumps into you while on his run, make certain that he keeps his hands off of you. This is a big scam in Paris these days. The scenario is: Jogger bumps tourist, then frantically apologizes and tries to help the victim by helping her up (if she has been knocked down) then before you know it, he has jogged off with your purse or backpack. Emergency NumbersFire: 18
Loss or Theft For a passport: the nearest police station and the nearest Consulate to get a 3-month temporary passport. For a handbag or personal objects: the lost property office For a car: the nearest pound in large towns or the nearest police station For a credit card: ring the emergency service (below) and make a statement at the police station. Lost Property
Office: American Express:
01.47.77.72.00
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TM
I have been living in Paris for more than twelve years and I feel perfectly
safe here. It is not uncommon for me, at the weekend, to get home at two or
three in the morning after spending time with friends. I don’t have a car so
I depend on public transportation to get everywhere in the city. But even
though Paris is a city that I feel safe in, I cannot deny that things have
changed over the years. There has been an increase in the number of
pickpocket crimes on the metros. While in the past it was not unusual to see
young women leaving their bags unattended on chairs or tables. That too is
changing, as tourists are reporting stolen bags and other items more often
now than in the past. This is not to say that you must be fearful when
navigating solo around the city, but it is to say that a little precaution
never hurts. And being a single woman in any foreign city could make you
feel vulnerable if you are not prepared.
Moreover, single women should not walk alone around Pigalle,
Barbès-Rochechouart, Montmartre, rue Saint-Denis in the 2nd
arrondissement (district), or Belleville alone late at night. In
general, the northern and eastern arrondissements are less safe
than the southern and western ones, and the Right Bank less safe than the
Left at night. When walking at night, stick to busy, well-lit streets and
avoid dark alleyways, parks, parking lots, and deserted areas. The same as
you would in your own city. Trust your ‘’gut’’ feelings. If you have a bad
feeling about an area or situation, you are probably right. Most often when
women travel abroad, they have a tendency to ‘’second-guess’’ their basic
instincts. Your wits are your best weapon when it comes to preventing crime.
Use them!