former notices
Seasonal Increase in Street Crime and Increased presence of Police and Other "Checkpoints"
Consular Warden Notice
United States Embassy
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
December 12, 2006
Wardens: Please disseminate the following notice to all American citizens within your registration zone as soon as possible. Thank you.
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa reminds resident and visiting Americans in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be alert to the potential of a rise in criminal activity during the holiday season. American citizens should also be aware of an increase in the number of checkpoints and traffic stops throughout Kinshasa.
As noted in the Consular Information Sheet, local criminal activity often targets non-Congolese, particularly in congested traffic areas and areas surrounding stores and hotels frequented by expatriates. Historically, with the approach of the Christmas and the New Year’s holidays, there has been an increase in pick-pocketing and the theft of unattended personal items (purses, back-packs, items left in cars, etc.). Additionally, attempts by unpaid or marginally paid civil servants, soldiers and police officers to obtain money from non-Congolese also increases during this time. Americans may experience a greater number of traffic stops and checkpoints where any number of “traffic violations” are alleged in an attempt to collect money.
Driving with doors locked and windows closed are recommended at all times. If confronted by security forces, American citizens should be wary of permitting police or soldiers to enter their vehicles and should refrain, whenever possible, from getting into the vehicle of anyone purporting to be a security official. If need be, offer to follow them to the nearest police station. It is recommended in all instances with local authorities to remain calm and courteous, and if threatened, not resist. Instances involving threats by police and security officials should be reported to the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa.
Consistency in administering laws and regulations is notably absent and in the case of robbery or theft, legal recourse is limited. There have been numerous reports of individuals appearing to be, or purporting to be, legitimate police authorities detaining and later robbing American citizens in Kinshasa. This type of crime generally occurs more frequently during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and should be reported to police as well as U.S. Embassy Kinshasa officials.
For additional information on this matter, please refer to the Consular Information Sheet, available at www.travel.state.gov or by stopping at the Embassy’s Consular Section in Kinshasa. Information is also available at the Embassy’s website at http://Kinshasa.USEmbassy.gov.