STATEMENT ON SAFETY

USFQ OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Compiled from Suggestions by the Staff and Resident Coordinators

Last Updated / Actualizado: 17 February, 2007

This statement is about safety.  The point is not to keep you from enjoying your time in Ecuador, but rather to help you take some very serious preventative measures.

ENABLE YOUR 360-DEGREE RADAR 

On the buses or on the street, do not let yourself be distracted.  Think of yourself as a radar antennae that must be working at all times.  If a child or other person, good-looking or poor, try to distract you by asking you something do not pay attention.  Keep the radar going and continue watching all around you.  Those of us in the country for a long period of time all have stories of averting a robbery simply by being smarter than the crooks and keeping our eyes open.  On the street, never put yourself in an isolated and/or vulnerable situation.  If you have to, duck in a store, stop next to someone and see if the suspicious person passes, etc.

Be extremely careful at night.  If you do go out at night, go out in groups.  When coming home late at night, turn on the radar and watch out for one another!  Don’t leave friends at taxi stands alone; wait until they get into their houses, etc.  Ask taxi drivers to wait until you are safely inside if they’re dropping you off.

During the day on the buses, try to sit in the front or stand or sit on the aisle, not by the window where you cannot exit easily.  When on a crowded bus, be sure and put your bag in front of you so you can see it at all times. Thieves will open your bag if it is even slightly out of sight.

CARRYING BAGS ADVICE

Do not leave home with too many things to carry! Big bags are an attractive target, and the thief does not know what you have inside.

Do not carry your original passport or important documents. You only need a photocopy of your passport and your “Censo” ID Card.  Remember that you don’t need to carry your social security card, drivers license, or any other official documents from the USA. Your Censo is your official ID for Ecuador.

Only carry the money you need for the day and maybe one credit card.

This one might sound a bit strange, but keep a piece of paper with your Ecuadorian phone number or mobile number in your wallet or bag.  There have been many cases where stolen bags have been "returned" by neighbors who found it on the street. You might get some important, although not valuable, items back.

If possible, avoid taking your laptop to the university.  If you do bring it, take extra safety measures (such as not carrying it a case that looks obviously like a laptop).  Never leave a laptop unattended, not even in the library.  If you go to the toilet, take EVERYTHING with you.

TAXI ADVICE

When catching a cab on the street, be sure and take an official one (it’s much safer!).  All yellow taxis have to be licensed with an individual number on their front window, on the doors, and on the back. Remember the taxi’s number that in the case of a problem, or if you forgot something, so you can report it.

Private taxis (“taxis ejecutivos”) that you can call to come and pick you up are very safe.  These are often unmarked.  There are several phone numbers for these that are easy to remember.  These taxis are often unmarked. Here are a few of the companies and their phone numbers.  Please save them in your mobile phone: 

Quito taxi ejecutivo companies – 222-2333, 222-2222. 

Cumbaya taxi ejecutivo companies: Amigos del Valle Cumbayá – 204-1111/204-1999.  Cumbayá Taxis – 289-6896

If your house is more than two blocks from the bus stop - even during the day - do not hesitate to take a taxi home. It will cost you a buck or two, but may save you hundreds.

At night, always CALL a taxi and go home in groups.

IF THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS

Unfortunately, not even the most careful person is exempt – but we can seriously diminish the chances of being robbed.  If you do fall victim to a robbery, go home immediately or to the next safest place (restaurant, supermarket, shop, bank) and place two or three important phone calls:

1)      CALL YOUR RESIDENT COORDINATOR (if you have one)

2)      CALL YOUR HOST FAMILY

3)      CALL CORNELL, MARICARMEN, PANCHO OR VERO IN THE O.I.P.  (all numbers available here)

Please take the time to put these numbers in your cell phone.

Finally, NEVER, NEVER RESIST if you are getting robbed.  The robbers are on edge and, quite possibly, on drugs.  Don’t aggravate them. Almost every case of robbery involving injury involves resistance.  It isn’t worth it!!  Give them what they want!!

Again, please call us at any time regarding these, or any other, safety issues.