Criminal activity in Managua

Submitted by freesia on 28 March, 2008 - 12:18.

I'd probably take a lot of flak for this post since I've read many posts sharing negative information get lambasted. Information whether positive or negative is information and so are crime statistics. I do not find comparing crime statistics in countries helpful, it does not help keep me safe. I don't care that there's more crime in the cities in the US or Guatemala or Costa Rica, I don't live there. I care about the incidents and statistics in the place I currently live in and that's Nicaragua.

I am not faint of heart. I have lived half of my life in Manila, have visited many notorious cities and before coming here, have lived more than 2 years in Kenya. Nairobi is not called 'nairobbery' for nothing. I've never slept so little in my life. Still I lived a normal life in Kenya, I went out, had fun, went to places I shouldn't have but armed with the knowledge of what could be and what to do, in case. You understand how safe I find Nicaragua is.

Up to today, My family and I thank the high heavens for having escaped various postings unscathed of trauma in whatever form - psychological, emotional and physical. Information has always been the key.

I have been a member of this site for more than a year now and have not shared the 5 cases of robbery and assault at knife point within a block's radius of where I live here in Managua (a middle class - upper middle class neighborhood but not gated) including the 2 incidents of police and vigilantes encounter with ladrones as early as 8 in the evening where gunshots have been fired - right in front of our property. I don't consider myself an alarmist.

This post is not to malign anyone or any race. It was Nicaraguans who were kind enough to warn other people about incidents they have experienced so it doesn't happen to others. The places mentioned in this email that I received this morning through official channels, are places I have always considered safe. Complacency is what crime elements look for in identifying their next victim. The email tells you about incidents, their modus operandi, how to be vigilant and what to do in case it does happen to you. Ignorance may be bliss but not in this case.

Take it however you want, I just felt it my duty to share...this time.

The email is in Spanish but even if I understand it fully, I don't feel confident to translate it without errors. If someone can please be kind enough to translate it accordingly, it would be much appreciated.

Asunto: No andes sola en las calles Importancia: Alta

El día viernes santos 21 de marzo, fui asaltado en Managua en la Colonia Centro América, mismo sector citado en la historia, los asaltantes me abordaron con intimidación, 2 sujetos con armas (uno cada uno) tipo pistola automáticas y montadas en mi presencia para que no tuviera yo duda de que están alistando el tiro que puede salir, se movilizaban en un carro hiundai Accent blanco con placa particular y otro sujeto en el automóvil encendido a unos 15 metros de distancia para abordar los otros dos sujetos luego de atraco.

En el atraco perdí mi billetera con documento personales y mi celular, reconozco que mi error fue estar distraído con una llamada en el momento de bajarme de mi vehículo, así pues comparto este elemento que debemos superar.

* Evitemos entablar comunicación por medio del celular durante y/o cuando nos disponemos a abordar nuestros vehículos y viceversa, actualmente Managua esta muy peligrosa en este aspecto de los asaltos.

Me lo enviaron y quiero compartirlo con ustedes..

Estimados

Pareciera que la Policía esta manejando esto con bajo perfil para efectos de relaciones públicas e internacionales

Pero esto es la verdad de las cosas.

Asaltos y asesinatos en Managua, por una banda muy organizada que ha cobrado más de 40 victimas

Algunos han logrado salir vivos otros muy heridos pero hay muertos que no han podido lograr contar el cuento

Sector: Managua

Focus areas: Galeria, Zona Hippos, Metro Centro, Villa Fontana(Terraza)

Objetivos: Hombres o Mujeres solos

Quien lo hace: grupo organizado con celulares, taxis o carros privados, inicia hasta con los que cuidan los carros para emboscarlos

Como lo hacen: identifican a la victima, y por teléfono le informan al grupo quien va y si va tomado etc. Se le meten al carro por no tenerlo enllamado

Si es mujer los chances de violación son altos, lo que pasa es que las victimas no cuentan esa parte pero si pasa, sea hombre o mujer le roban y

Buscan las tarjetas de crédito y a golpes lo hacen que den sus contraseñas. No se sabe con o sin resistencia acuchillan a la victima y la tiran en la

Carretera o en un lugar abandonando el cuerpo se dan fuga en el mismo carro y después abandonan el carro en otro lugar.

Esto es una realidad no es una broma, el último caso fue el Chef del Hotel Holiday Inn quien fue acecinado de forma atroz y su cuerpo abandonado

En la carretera sur en el km 16. Durante la semana santa.

Recomendaciones,

1. Antes de montarse en el vehiculo ver si hay algo sospechoso, si es así quedarse en el establecimiento hasta que alguien lo escolte. 2. de inmediato enllavar las puertas y no demorar buscando los anteojos, pinturas de labio ect. Salir rápido y alerta 3. Observar con los retrovisores si lo siguen, igual no detenerse muy pegado del vehiculo de adelante ya que lo pueden dejar bloqueado para el asalto 4. andar en grupo o salir juntos aunque sea en varios vehículos hasta que se puedan despedir más adelante del área.

Si te pasa:

1. Causa un accidente con otro vehiculo para causar una conmoción para que otras personas se involucren 2. Recuerda que tu retroceso es el cambio mas fuerte que tiene tu vehiculo, con el cual puedes forzar una salida para atrás y asi no dañas tu dirección para cuando hagas marcha así adelante para huir.

Recomendaciones Institucionales: Publicar esta información a sus miembros, familia y amigos

Empresas que tengan personal de profesionales jóvenes que visitan esos lugares pasen circular y mantengan a sus empleados informados, recuerden que no es solo mujeres también hombres y no hay edades.

Creo que si pasan esta información a todos sus amigos seria una cosa muy buena, si se les ocurre otras ideas o recomendaciones agréguenlas que no queda de mas.

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This is an “Interpretation” not a literal translation

Submitted by will305 on 21 June, 2008 - 16:25.

Literal translation of this would be confusing.

Subject: Don’t go out in the streets alone

Importance: High

On Good Friday March 21, I was assaulted in Managua in Colonia Centro Americas, the same area cited previously, the assailants approached me with intimidation. 2 subjects with weapons (one each) of the automatic pistol type, which were in plain view, so that I had no doubt that they may be getting ready to shoot. They were mobilzed in a Hyundai Accent , with a non commercial white plate and the keys in the car ignition, about 15 meters away, ready to pick up the other two subjects after robbery.

In the robbery I lost my wallet with my cellular and personal documents. I acknowledge that my mistake was being distracted with a call on my cell when I went to get out of my car, so I share this aspect, that this action must be avoided.

* Prevent initiating communications via the cell during and / or when we have to enter our vehicles and vice versa, as currently in Managua this very dangerous aspect of this assault.

I sent him this and I want to share it with you ..

Estimates

It seems that the Police are handling this in a low-profile manner for purposes of public relations and international relations.

But this is the truth of things.

Assaults and murders in Managua, by a highly organized band of thieves, has claimed more than 40 victims Some have managed to get out alive but there are others gravely wounded or dead who have not been able to tell their story

Industry: Managua

Focus areas: Gallery, Hippos Zone, Metro Centre, Villa Fontana (Terrace)

Objectives: Male or Female alone

Who does it: Organized groups with cell phones, taxis or private cars, starts up by talking to those who guard the cars (CPF) , looking for cars to ambush

How they do it: Identify the victim, and by phone they inform the rest of the group who the victim will be , which car, and if it they are drinking. They get in their car and wait to ambush you.

If it is a woman, chances of rape are high. What happens is that the victims do not expect that part but if it happens, whether man or woman, they will looking for credit cards and strike blows until you give them the passwords. It is well known that even if you don’t resist, they may stab you and leave you abandoned on the side of the road and your car in another place. This is reality, not a joke, the latest case was a chef at the Holiday Inn who was killed so atrociously and his body abandoned on Carretera Sur, KM 16 during holy week.

Recommendations :

1. Before getting in the vehicle , check to see if there is anything suspicious, if so, stay in the establishment until someone can escort you. 2. Immediately lock your doors and don’t delay by putting on lipstick, looking for sunglasses, etc… get out quickly and alertly 3. Observe in your rear view mirrors if anyone is following you, just don’t park too close to the vehicle in front, since they can leave it blocked for assault 4. Walk in groups or leave together, even in several vehicles until you can get away from the area.

If it happens to you:

1. Cause an accident with another vehicle to cause a commotion so that other people get involved 2. Remember that your reverse gear is the strongest gear your vehicle has, which can be used to force a rear exit and thus allow you to go forward to flee.

Institutional Recommendations: To publish this information to its members, family and friends

Companies that have staff of young professionals who visit these places , keep your employees informed, remember that it is not only men, but women, and it can be any age.

I believe that if we pass this information to all our friends, it would be a good thing. Please add any comments, ideas or suggestions.

U.S. Dept. of State Warning

Submitted by Alra on 31 March, 2008 - 20:26.

The U.S. Department of State warned its citizens that crime in Nica. has risen.

"In the past year, the Embassy has noted a gradual increase in the use of armed violence against residents and visiting U.S. citizens. The Embassy recommends that travelers utilize hotels and guest houses which have strong security elements in place... Robbery and assault on passengers in taxis in Managua are increasing in frequency and violence, with passengers subjected to beatings, sexual assault, stabbing and even murder..." Source: http://Travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_985.html

Also: "La Prensa" of 3/29/08

thanks for your post freesia . . .

Submitted by webtrainer on 31 March, 2008 - 10:43.

absolutely this is good information, especially for those who live in Managua. I feel like the person who hasn't had an auto accident in twenty years . . . who while thinking about how lucky he's been is likely to get rear-ended or T-boned.

The official statistics are bogus because most people believe that bringing in the police will not solve anything. The real numbers are higher than what is published.

Now that I'm back in California, I am sure that I have "turned off" my awareness of the immediate environment in such a way that I will really need to be vigilant when going back. The email talks about not getting out of your car fumbling with your cell phone or putting on your lipstick.

If you could see how many absolutely clueless, self-absorbed people are here in a ritzy part of Orange County, and think, what if these people were magically transported to Managua, what would happen?

Darwin's law has been abolished here for the most part. Not so in Managua. If you aren't sharp at all times you will get hurt one way or the other.

Easy pickins for the ladrones to be sure.

Doors of hope fly open when doors of promise shut. -Thomas D'Arcy McGee

No surprise to me

Submitted by fyl on 28 March, 2008 - 15:17.

I would expect to find two kinds of theft in Managua. The first and the one that people from outside the region seem most concerned with is "crime of opportunity". Things such as leaving a bicycle on the street or even leaving a house unoccupied while being away for a day or more.

The type of crime you are describing is more what I would call "professional crime". That, to me, is why you are seeing it in areas you would expect to be safe.

If you are poor, you steal the bicycle you find on the street. That is probably in a poor neighborhood because you don't live in a nice area.

Now, a professional criminal recignizes that it is more profitable to be a criminal in a fancier neighborhood.The fact that they had guns, not a knife or machete supports this.

The advice is good--no problem there. I think the big thing is for people to think about where they are and what sort of crime will happen there. Clearly, expecting a "better" neighborhood will not have crime is wrong and, if fact, it seems more likely that the crime that does happen there is more likely to be more invasive.

As for comparisions, I don't live in Managua and don't want to. Nor do I want to live in any big city anywhere. Crime is one issue but not the only one.

Thanks...

Submitted by nicaluvr on 28 March, 2008 - 14:48.

I appriciate the post, since I live in Managua and frequent some of these areas. If in anyone would be willing to fully translate this to english, I would be very grateful.