Papua New Guinea 2019 Crime & Safety Report
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Papua New Guinea 2019 Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses PNG at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution. Reconsider travel to the Highlands region due to earthquake damage and disruption of local services. Reconsider travel to areas near the Paguna mine in Bougainville due to civil unrest. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizen Services (ACS) unit cannot recommend a particular individual or establishment and assumes no responsibility for the quality of services provided. Please review OSAC’s Papua New Guinea webpage for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. There is serious risk from crime in Port Moresby. Port Moresby suffers from high unemployment, with up to half of the population reportedly living in squatter settlements. The export-driven economy continues to falter due to falling global commodity prices. Inflation is a recurring problem. PNG ranks 136 out of 140 countries in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2017 livability index, with a score indicating that “most aspects of living are severely restricted.” It is sixth on their list of the 10 least livable cities. However, the vast majority of visitors who exercise common sense and apply appropriate security measures are able to move around the city safely and to conduct business without significant issues. Crime Threats PNG’s crime rate is among the highest in the world. Crime rates are highest in and around major cities – such as Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Mount Hagen, and Goroka – but crime can and does occur anywhere. Crime rates against foreign diplomatic staff and private-sector personnel are significantly lower than rates of crime committed against the public. This is due mainly to comprehensive security plans laid out by sponsoring countries/companies that include but are not limited to rules on movement; identification of high crime areas; security escorts; tracking devices; on-call response teams; housing alarms; 24/7 guard surveillance; and real-time threat reporting. Failure by security officials to develop a comprehensive security plan significantly increases risk to their clients. Similarly, disregarding security protocols developed by one’s security officer significantly increases the likelihood that the individual will fall victim to a security incident. 1 Visiting unguarded public sites (e.g., markets, parks, golf courses, beaches, and cemeteries) can be dangerous; incidents have occurred at these locations at all hours. In Port Moresby, robberies have occurred around Parliament Haus on the weekends when it is unguarded. Travelers should be particularly cautious of the threat of pickpocketing when in crowded public places, especially local public markets. Bag snatchers may try to open doors of automobiles that are stopped or moving slowly in traffic. Sophisticated criminal enterprises also exist, and their capabilities often exceed that of local law enforcement authorities. Many of the businesses in Port Moresby have gated parking lots with guards on duty. Westerners may be perceived as wealthy, potentially making them targets of opportunity. U.S. citizens have been victims of violent crime, including sexual assaults, carjacking, home invasions, kidnappings, and armed robberies. Many criminals turn increasingly aggressive during the commission of a crime, which may result in grievous bodily harm or death. Incidents of robbery and carjacking can be coordinated based on known chokepoints. Criminal gangs use any means necessary to force passengers from their vehicles. One such scam involves the baby car seat/crying baby hoax. Criminals place a car seat with a fake baby or a lone, crying child by the road and wait for someone to stop and check on it. The location is usually a grassy roadside area where a victim can be captured, dragged away unnoticed, assaulted, and robbed. Another tactic involves egging the windshield of an oncoming vehicle. If you are driving at night and eggs are thrown at your windshield, do not stop. Do not apply water or operate the windshield wiper; eggs mixed with water become milky and impossible to see through, forcing drivers to stop and increasing the vulnerability to criminal activity. In 2014, The World Bank produced thorough reports on the trends in crime, the drivers of crime, and the business cost of crime in Papua New Guinea. Though these are now five years old, they remain relevant. Trends in Crime and Violence in Papua New Guinea Drivers of Crime and Violence in Papua New Guinea Gates, Hired Guns and Mistrust: Business Unusual The Socio-economic Costs of Crime and Violence in Papua New Guinea According to Transparency International’s 2018 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), PNG ranked 138 out of 180 countries, receiving a score of 28 out of 100 that classified it as “highly corrupt.” The CPI draws on 13 surveys and expert assessments to measure public service corruption in 180 countries and territories, giving each a score from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Although this metric is only a measure of the perceived level of corruption in the public sector, PNG’s low score should underscore the importance that the public and private sectors place on preventing corruption and promoting integrity. Transparency International called on the government to fully resource and strengthen institutions so that they may operate without fear or favor, to support the Open Government Partnership, and to implement the National Anti- Corruption Strategy 2010 – 2030. 2 Cybersecurity Issues Cybercrime is relatively uncommon; however, the growing use of the internet and mobile technology brings with it an increased risk of cybercrime and threats to information security. The government passed the Cybercrime Code Bill in 2016 in part to address these concerns. Other Areas of Concern Recent government protests and tribal fighting have caused major destruction to government buildings and public infrastructure in the Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces. Police have been unable to keep public order or prevent destruction of property. Travelers should consult with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy before traveling on the Highlands Highway. There is a greater risk of becoming the victim of violent crimes when traveling alone, especially when hiking in isolated rural areas. Further exacerbating this problem is the lack of police response and the challenges of evacuation ill or injured personnel from more remote regions. When traveling to remote regions, carrying redundant means of communication and tracking devices is strongly recommended. Exercise a high degree of caution in Bougainville. Law enforcement in the area is limited, and tourist/transportation facilities are inadequate. Areas near the Panguna mine that have been officially designated “no go zones” by the Autonomous Government of Bougainville should be avoided. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines are abundant in Bougainville, East New Britain, and throughout many of PNG’s islands. Exercise caution when walking or hiking off marked roads and trails. Transportation-Safety Situation For more information, please review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Road Safety and Road Conditions Traffic moves on the left in PNG, and vehicles are right-side drive. Travel on highways outside of major towns can be hazardous. There is no nationwide road network, and most roads, especially in rural areas, are in a poor state of repair. Other common safety risks include erratic and/or drunk drivers, poorly maintained vehicles, rock throwing, and overcrowded vehicles. Sabotage of roads by disgruntled workers is common. During the rainy season, landslides occur on stretches of the Highlands Highway between Lae and Mount Hagen. Potholes and road erosion necessitate that vehicles travel slowly and attentively. Criminal groups may use this to stop a slow-moving vehicle and rob its occupants or forcibly take the vehicle. Criminal roadblocks on the Highlands Highway may occur during daylight hours, but are more common at night. 3 Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of serious injury. Accidents often involve vehicles traveling on the wrong side of the road in an attempt to avoid potholes. After an accident, crowds can form quickly and may attack those whom they hold responsible by throwing stones and/or burning vehicles. Friends and relatives of an injured person may demand immediate compensation from whomever they deem at fault, regardless of legal responsibility. The accidental transportation-related death of domestic animals, such as dogs or pigs, is almost certain to trigger a demand for monetary compensation. As such, travelers are advised to exercise caution when driving through rural areas. Travelers who are involved in an accident and feel threatened should go directly to the nearest police station. Remain calm; take note of the area; identify landmarks; and do your best to provide the police with relevant details and information. Police routinely set up roadblocks in Port Moresby to check vehicle registration. Drivers should ensure that documentation and decals are up-to-date in order to minimize difficulties at roadblocks. For specific information concerning driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, road safety, and mandatory insurance, contact PNG’s Motor Vehicle Institute Limited at 675-325-9666 or 675-302-4600. It is not uncommon for police officers to use roadblocks to solicit bribes, particularly before holidays. Public Transportation Conditions The use of public transportation is not recommended and should be avoided due to the lack of safe and reliable services. Crimes like robbery and sexual assault are not uncommon on unregulated bus systems.