Palau 2020 Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Palau. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Palau page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Palau at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Department of State has assessed Koror as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. However, it can have an impact on the work and life of the community. The most common type of crime is burglary and petty theft. Most occurrences of theft involve unattended items at hotels and at the Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) in Airai. Although foreigners do not appear disproportionately affected by crime, they tend to attract more attention than local citizens do. Criminals may perceived them as wealthier, making them more attractive targets of opportunity. In 2019, U.S. Embassy personnel were the victims of two separate burglaries. In each case, residents were not home at the time of the burglary. The investigations remain unresolved at the time of this writing. Due to public interest, a curfew in Koror State is in place between 2200-0600, Monday through Sunday, for those aged seventeen and under. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. Cybersecurity Issues Palau continues to face issues associated with ATM/credit card scams. In 2016, Palauan authorities, in conjunction with the FBI, identified skimming devices and related equipment commonly used in ATM and credit card-related fraud. Most of the skimmers are easily identifiable, but many victims still fail to recognize the devices. Some banks have added increased security measures to ATMs – including anti- tampering measures and PIN concealment covers – but scammers continue to target small, regional banks due to the absence of such security features. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud, Taking Credit, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? 1 Other Areas of Concern Peleliu Island was the site of a major World War II battle. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) may be present on land and underwater here and throughout Palau’s 16 states. While tours to Peleliu to view the battlefield are frequent, and most are relatively safe, exercise caution while visiting. Firearms of any kind are illegal in Palau. The penalty for possession of a firearm or ammunition is up to 15 years imprisonment. Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Palau of certain other items. Read the State Department’s webpage on customs and import restrictions for information on what you cannot take into or out of other countries. Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Drunk driving is Palau’s biggest road-safety issue. Driving under the influence of alcohol is ubiquitous, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Drive defensively and cautiously. Road conditions in urban areas are generally fair, with the exception of large potholes that appear following heavy rainstorms. Road infrastructure in rural areas away from the main island of Koror can be poor and potentially dangerous. Poor road conditions, unfenced livestock, stray pets, unwary pedestrians, and large potholes present safety hazards, particularly after dark. Palau accepts a driver’s license issued by a U.S. state or an International Driving Permit for up to 30 days, after which drivers must apply for a Palauan license. Most cars in Palau are right-side drive, as they are Japanese imports. However, drivers use the right side of the road. Due to the low population, there are no traffic signals on Koror, and the island maintains a lower speed limit. It is illegal to pass slow-moving vehicles in Palau, yet drivers frequently do so. Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad. Public Transportation Conditions Unmetered taxis are the only mode public transportation available. You can find taxis at the airport and at larger resorts, but it may be difficult to find them elsewhere. Most restaurants, hotels, and activity centers will call a taxi to pick guests up. When using a taxi, patronize a reputable taxi service with well- maintained vehicles. It is common to hire the services of a specific taxi driver for the duration of your stay and simply call them each time you need a ride. There are no private taxi companies, or services like Uber or Lyft available. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Aviation/Airport Conditions The airports are relatively free of crime, but there have been reports of items stolen from checked baggage. This trend has continued to decline, but passengers should maintain awareness of their belongings at all times, use Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved locks, and retrieve checked bags as soon as possible. 2 Terrorism Threat The U.S. Department of State has assessed Koror as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence The U.S. Department of State has assessed Koror as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Although protests are not common, avoid demonstrations and large crowds, as even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent unexpectedly. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest. Post-specific Concerns Environmental Hazards Palau is an island nation subject to many natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and landslides. Although the probability of a major earthquake or tsunami occurring during a particular trip is remote, small earthquakes occur regularly. The Pacific typhoon season runs from July to mid-November. However, typhoons are rare, as Palau is outside the main typhoon zone. Understand that public services (e.g. water, electricity, transportation) are unlikely to be available for a significant period following a powerful typhoon. Critical Infrastructure Industrial accidents occasionally occur, usually in the form of fires at warehouses or commercial facilities. Often, these structures do not have fire alarms installed or fire suppression equipment in close proximity. Most tourist hotels on Koror Island have up-to-date fire alarms and proper evacuation plans in place. Economic Concerns Palau is not a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the WTO, or any organization protecting intellectual property rights. As a result, the frequency of pirated items has not declined and stores openly sell pirated copies of movies, television shows, music, counterfeit clothing, jewelry, and other luxury goods. International investors must conduct sufficient due diligence to assess judicial transparency, government accountability, and avenues for recourse under the law. Personal Identity Concerns Palauans are generally polite and respectful towards women, who have traditionally held a lot of power in Palauan society. Palau is a matriarchal society where lineage and titles pass down from the mother’s side, and women often fill prominent positions in government. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers. 3 Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Palau. However, same-sex marriage is still illegal, and there is no law protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation. There have not been any reports of violence related to sexual orientation. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers. Palau’s overall accessibility for the disabled is very limited. While many buildings have ramps to facilitate persons with disabilities, others do not. There is no public transportation equipped to transport persons on wheelchairs and sidewalks around Palau are limited. The law does not mandate access to transportation, communication, and public buildings for persons with disabilities. The law does require that there be at least one designated parking space for persons with disabilities close to the main entrance of each national government building open to the public. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities. Drug-related Crimes Drug addiction does contribute to some of the petty crime that occurs in Palau. Penalties for possession of any amount include fines and possible jail time. Kidnapping Threat There are very limited cases of kidnapping in Palau; these are usually family-related. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics. Police Response Report all incidents of crime to the local police authorities. The emergency line in Palau is 911.