European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 29, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Tourism drops As Street crime rises in Russia by the new York times tourism to Russia is declining according to government and news Media sources As news reports of muggings robberies and Gangland slayings frighten away foreigners. The United states embassy in Moscow and the consulate in St. Petersburg Are issuing regular warnings to american tourists about theft and violence. But 87-year-old Arthur Sachs of Miami cheerfully went ahead with his plan to take a cruise this summer from St. Petersburg to Moscow. As Sachs prepared to enter his room in the three Star hotel moskva on july to his last Day in Moscow three muggers stepped off the elevator and threw him to the ground. They snatched his camera but threw away his passport glasses and papers which he later recovered. The thieves never found his Wallet. Badly bruised shaken and angry Sachs vowed never to return. The streets of major american cities remain far More dangerous but the rapid growth in crime in the former soviet Union is terrifying to residents and visitors accustomed to the order of a police state. A russian prosecutor told reporters last. February that four assaults 20 robberies and 184 thefts Are committed every hour in Russia but there Are no truly reliable statistics on the crime rate particularly against tourists a Many of whom like Sachs Are almost As afraid of russian red tape As they Are of robbers. Quot i t going to talk to any policeman there until i talked to my lawyer first Quot Sachs said tartly. Despite the greater ease of travel since the fall of communism tourism in St. Petersburg which has a higher crime rate than Moscow has fallen almost 50,percent since 1985, according to the St. Petersburg tourism Bureau. And an alarming warning from the United states consulate in St. Petersburg in March detailing robberies beatings and one murder caused a juror among local authorities who feared it would discourage visitors and investors. It used to be that tourists complained when t hey could not travel around the soviet Union without an i tourist escort. Now Many Are clamouring for company. And that is what Many tour operators Are recommending to foreign tourists. Quot we suggest to our clients they not walk alone and never go anywhere without a guide Quot said Sonia Surikov a booking agent at the travel Russia Agency in Moscow who admittedly has a stake in saying Quot Street crime against americans continues to increase Quot said one american embassy official who asked not to be. Identified. Quot but what is remarkable lately is that the crimes Are becoming More violent a in the last few months the percentage of people being beaten up has he added Quot i m not saying there s a rash of violence but it is a Little More the american embassy and travel agencies warn that among the most common threats in major cities Are the bands of Street urchins who skulk around train stations in badly lighted underpasses and sometimes on Busy sidewalks surround victims and steal purses wallets and jewelry. Usually they just steal. But sometimes they harm the victim. Quot the situation is not As bad As some papers say but we have had some incidents in St. Petersburg a incidents with Gypsy children Quot Surikov said. It is not Only naive newcomers w Toa i editor helps travellers avoid scams alerts fall prey. Steven Cohen a professor of russian history at Princeton University who is thoroughly familiar with Moscow s streets caught off guard this june As he stood with two sturdy colleagues outside a German supermarket. Gypsy children surrounded him held Down his arms and stole his Wallet visa and passport. Embassy tips include warnings about train travel especially the overnight train to St. Petersburg on which there is an increasing number of robberies Quot on overnight trains secure the door to your compartment with wire or some Type of door Jammer and do not accept any food or beverages from anyone including the some russians suspect that train personnel Are bribed by thieves to drug unsuspecting passengers and unlock their compartments. By Donna Miski new Day a forewarned is forearmed when it comes to travellers being ripped off by wily thieves around the world says travel newsletter editor Jens Jurgen who has been compiling criminal ploys targeting tourists since he almost a victim three years ago. Jurgen had just arrived in Germany and standing on a platform in the Frankfurt train station when a Man came up to him pointing to the left repeating Quot Hamburg Hamburg Quot Quot just that second i looked right and his accomplice lifting my a Jurgen shouted the Man dropped the bag and both ran away. Quot it s almost always two people and a diversion is involved Quot said Jurgen who has published information in travel companion for Solo travellers. Some common scams the Quot stall and dip Quot where the Quot stall Quot drops change and As a traveler bends Down to help the Quot dip Quot snatches the bags someone bumps into you and his helpful partner who steadies you lifts its almost always two people and a diversion is a Jens Jurgen travel newsletter editor your Wallet someone spills something on your clothes and the Good Samaritan who helps wipe it off rips you Oft. Beware of fake fights arguments and accidents says Jurgen and people near lockers at train stations airports or museums who come up to help you Road the instructions and Stow your gear and then hand you the locker key. What they be done is palmed the key Given you a fake one and your stuff is history when you walk away. For a reprint of the scam report Send $ 1 to travel companion Exchange inc., . Box 833, Amityville . 11701 518 4540880. 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