European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 25, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Aution can t take a vacation. By the Washington Post in recent years travellers in Europe have been reporting a variety of unusual assaults.,. Innocent looking youngsters May suddenly surround a tourist on a Tisy City Street in seconds the group can Pluck every pocket of valuables and flee. Thieves on scooters sometimes zip past unwary sightseers snatching unprotected purses and cameras. Gars stalled in traffic or stopped at signal lights Cam be targets. Thieves reach through an open window and grab a watch from your wrist or a purse or camera from the seat. They May even shatter the window to get the valuables. These crimes May not be the magnitude of the murders of foreign visitors in Florida but they show that travellers must stay Alert when viewing the glories of Europe. No City or country with any semblance of civil liberties can provide foreign visitors absolute Protection against crime. So travellers must watch out for themselves a Good resource for travellers looking for advice on personal Security is the Safe travel Book by Peter Savage for travellers headed for countries where unstable situations could result in upheaval Savage suggests they get answers to several important questions  Goa is there an Quot overriding development Quot at your destination that Means you should not go sources that Savage recommends for up to Date information include government officials and overseas representatives of . Banks a Are there particular problems to be avoided one source of information is the . State department s citizens emergency Center 202 647-5225, which provides recorded reports on situations that might affect the. Security of american travellers in every country. A is your hotel next to a Likely terrorist target As Savage notes there s no Clear Cut method of choosing the safest hotel but it is a matter to be Given some thought. Quot if you want to stay at a Large first class hotel where american and other foreigners Are known to congregate Quot he writes Quot consider that such a hotel might be a terrorist  on the other hand protective a Security probably will be tighter than in other hotels. Among the ways to reduce the possibility of becoming a victim abroad As outlined by the state department Savage and other travel Industry sources a a a be informed. Ask your travel Agency about travel advisories concerning your destination or Contact the state department s citizens emergency Center. Consult guidebooks and ask at your hotel about any Street dangers. A Don t take unnecessary valuables along. Leave the expensive jewelry and High fashions at Home and carry traveler s checks and credit cards rather than Cash. You May even want to substitute a modest camera for a fancier one. Cameras easily identify you As a tourist to. Pickpockets and other thieves in the Vicinity. V a protect your valuables on your person either in a Money Belt or a Well hidden neck Pouch. Avoid carrying purses and wearing Fanny packs which Are easy targets for thieves. Leg and shoulder pouches and Money belts Are sold  stores. A use common sense. Be Alert to pickpockets i passports harder to fake the state department has upgraded the . Passport again with a new More secure version. Starting in March passport agencies began issuing the improved passports incorporating new technologies a. Special paper and inks and advanced printing techniques to protect against fraudulent use. The new passports Are Blue again having Bee changed to Green last april when the last upgrade a Complete with commemorative Ben Franklin Kin Gram a was issued. In the newest version Ben is history but otherwise you la probably need a magnifying Glass to see the changes., a the Washington Post crowded areas where tourists congregate such As airline bus and train terminals Public buses and trams american style fast food restaurants Street concerts and major sightseeing attractions. Don t take valuables to the Beach. Avoid dark streets and narrow alleys. Do not Stop when approached on the Street by strangers especially Street vendors and beggars. Find out which parts of a City Are considered risky. A use caution on the Road. Keep car doors locked purses and cameras out of sight and Luggage hidden in the trunk take All items to your hotel room at night and consider parking your car in a secure lot ask at your hotel for convenient locations. Try to Park in a guarded lot when stopping for lunch or to sightseer along the Road. If your car is disabled wait Tor help from the police. A know where you Are going when you leave your hotel. If you must consult a map try to do it inside in an inconspicuous place. Interests Are so important to us we d even be witling to have you Tell us provided of course that you know Good places to go so we can feature Kite festivals and other fun activities happening in  Reader stripes Magazine needs your help in determining our travel plans for the year. Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions and mail your replies to the address provided below. Thank you. 1. What Are your favorite travel destinations. 2. What other destinations or Leisure subjects would you like information on 3. What kind of information do you find most helpful accommodations night life eating out activities for children sights any other a a other comments if so please include them on a separate piece of paper. Send your replies to military address travel ideas the stars and stripes unit 29480, Box 263, Apo a 09211 civilian address travel ideas stars and stripes Box 263, Postrach 11 14 37,64278 Darmstadt Germany Hes to nobody does it better. 42 travel 94 May 25, 1994