Safety in Kyiv

[ECOCKS]

FYI.......

US Embassy Announcement:

Local media has recently reported that Ukrainian police are hunting for a serial killer whom they believe is responsible for at least five murders.  According to media reports, the victims are women (ages 19-70) who were subjected to sexual assault before being murdered; the suspect is a male, approximately 35 years old, who may dress in a police uniform or priest’s cassock to lure his victims.  No further details are available at this time. 

The Regional Security Office (RSO) of the U.S. Embassy has confirmed with Ukrainian police that they are indeed seeking an individual whom they believe is responsible for the murders of at least five women, perhaps more.  These murders have occurred throughout the Kyiv oblast.  If the RSO receives additional information, it will be shared with the American community.  According to media reports, Ukrainian police are advising women to be especially vigilant and not to venture out alone late at night.   

As a reminder, crime is a serious problem in Kyiv and throughout Ukraine.  As the economic situation worsens, violent criminal incidents – robberies, burglaries, and assaults – are expected to increase.  The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that all American citizens exercise an increased level of security awareness and that you and your family members periodically review your personal security and residential security measures.  To call the police from a land line or cellular phone (Kyiv Star, UMC, Bee-Line operators) you should dial 102.

Stay safe.

And watch your step.....

Kyivvodokanal asks residents to report theft of service hatch covers
Kyiv Post, May 8, 2009

Kyivvodokanal, the municipal water supply company, is asking the Kyivans to report theft of cast-iron covers for service hatches and other metal elements of infrastructure.

“If you accidentally notice somebody opening sewer manholes, immediately call out hotline 280-5757 and 280-6796, or 1581 at night,” the company’s statement said

The company said personnel authorized to lift manhole covers can be recognized by their uniform.

Kyivvodokanal said theft of their property is becoming more common, causing accidents and property damage, according to korrespondent.net.

[Stirlitz]

As a reminder, crime is a serious problem in Kyiv and throughout Ukraine.

Really?

As far as I gather talking to my clients Ukraine is much safer than the US. In particular, Kiev is far, far safer than New York.

[groovlstk]

Really?

As far as I gather talking to my clients Ukraine is much safer than the US. In particular, Kiev is far, far safer than New York.

If you mean Manhattan, you're wrong. If you mean the Bronx and Queens, it's possible.

I would opine that most of your clients "feel" safe because there are no young black or hispanic men dressed in thuggish clothes walking around, giving them a sense of false security.

Here we go again...

[Sculpto]

If you mean Manhattan, you're wrong. If you mean the Bronx and Queens, it's possible.

I would opine that most of your clients "feel" safe because there are no young black or hispanic men dressed in thuggish clothes walking around, giving them a sense of false security.

Here we go again...

bullseye groov.. its a lot harder to identify a ukrianian thug and a lot easier to misidentify a latino or black as a thug..

so, stirlitz.. how do you know if that white guy with a flat top crew cut haircut is just sporting a style and is not in fact a nationalistic racist out to kill jews?

[ConnerVT]

before we get all emotional and defensive, let us take a more anylitcal approach.  If one of our resident law officers can chime in, that would be helpful.

Crime happens everywhere.  Big cities, and small towns.  Everywhere in the world.

Most crimes are committed by people who know their victim.  People don't usually beat the snot out of people they don't know.  They save that for the person that they perceived that wronged them - didn't pay their debt, got them in trouble, burned the pot roast, etc.  They came to your house with a friend, saw your big screen TV, and decided they wanted it.  This is the largest group of crimes.

The next group is crimes of convenience.  These usually happen to two different groups of people.  Those who live nearby high criminal activity areas - drug users and severe alcoholics are predominant indicators.  If you live with/near these people, you are more likely going to have a crime committed against you.

Another individual who falls in the second group is a tourist.  Without a good working understanding of the culture and area of the place one is visiting, they are more likely to stumble on a high risk area (or situation) that a local would quickly identify as one to avoid.  Be it someone from Ukraine walking around Metro New York or Phoenix, or an American walking about Kiev or Moscow (or London, or Rio de Janeiro, etc.).

Then there is a very small percentage of random crime.  Crazy woman goes berserk.  Kid playing with dad's gun accidentally shoots someone.  those things happen to people who draw the short straw, and there is little one can do to prevent it.

But in the first two cases, living life with your eyes open to the potential dangers will keep you from being a victim.

[JR]

If you mean Manhattan, you're wrong. If you mean the Bronx and Queens, it's possible.

I would opine that most of your clients "feel" safe because there are no young black or hispanic men dressed in thuggish clothes walking around, giving them a sense of false security.

Here we go again...

Ding, you just won today's Grand Prize!

[KenC]

The question in my mind is: how safe is Kyiv?
KenC

[Sculpto]

these crime and safety threads irk me for some reason.

Live in America?  Drive much? 

come on fellas.. where in the world are you going to go short of a war zone that is more dangerous than your car?  (I have been behind the lines in two war zones.. they were both actually quite safe as the rebels were obsessed with makng sure nothing happened to the foreign guy that could harm their reputation.  Gator may have a different opinion though..)

The most dangerous place I have ever been is my own darn bathtub after a night of too much drinking.  Wait, that isn't really true.. East St. Louis... ok, I admit it, I was scared there.

[Bored1]

Does US Embassy tell about every crime?

Should they do then Kiev seem very safe as it only has 1 murder mans and missing road covers.

I think they not tell all crimes but I may be not correct in this.

I look at US Embassy web site for Ukraine and see no other crime reported so go to the other city and not Kiev because they not have crime the Embassy wants to say about.

I agree about cars and drives in Ukraine and Russia they much more dangerous to health.

[Stirlitz]

I would opine that most of your clients "feel" safe because there are no young black or hispanic men dressed in thuggish clothes walking around, giving them a sense of false security.

I did not say they feel safe. On the contrary, they would always inquire whether it is safe here. Which makes me wonder a little because it looks like they have reason to be worried while I don’t.

so, stirlitz.. how do you know if that white guy with a flat top crew cut haircut is just sporting a style and is not in fact a nationalistic racist out to kill jews?

I have no idea how to tell because I have not seen people like that in my life. To say we do not have them here would be too much on my part but me personally I cannot remember seeing someone like that and knowing for sure they are what you describe, I mean being a racist. Apart from imagining what someone could be. (Perhaps you are talking about Russia — they do have people like that there. Not too many in Ukraine though).

Of course, my best interest would be to tell everybody Ukraine is not safe and they need me to follow them and keep an eye on them but I would be inventing too much…

[Sculpto]

Stirlitz.. when I was in Ukraine.. in Donetsk.. my Nigerian guide got scared in one moment when we got off the bus.. running down the hill were a bunch of young men wearing leather and singing as they ran.. he told me they were the right wing nationalists that like to kill foreigners.

To me they just looked like a bunch of fashion kids.. but.. what the hell do I know?

And, also, please don't tell me you don't know about the flyers that were going around Odessa last year threatening to kill the Jews.. it has been widely reported internationally.. and there have been plenty of other incidents too.

[kievstar]

Kiev is very safe.  I lived there. That being said the left bank area (east side of the river) can be a little unsafe if you wander off the beaten path late at night. But there is no reason to be over on the left bank unless you work in Kiev or on the way to airport.  But I got into trouble a couple of times in night clubs and was lucky I knew the police.  I have posted the story before so no reason to go into details again.

Kharkov seems to be a little more dangerous.  A guy got into a fight with my wife in the metro in past week.  Drunk man wanted her number and she would not give it.  She had some scratches.  Now I have to fly back soon to take care of him.  Also, at a wedding about two weeks ago in Kharkov a boyfriend and girlfriend got into a boxing match in the parking lot (I say boxing match as both are semi boxers and she is also an English teacher).  She actually started it but did not finish it.  But many local Ukraine men and women have told me it is not a good Russian wedding unless a fight breaks out. 

[Sculpto]

I would like to see a boxing match between an Irish drunk and a Korean drunk in Kiev.  Now that would have some fireworks.

BTW, Stirlitz.. I don't mean to sound like I was bustng on you.. but.. I just think people should be aware of things that are real, and not overreact to threats from serial killers and slightly organized racists. 

Cars are way more dangerous. 

[Stirlitz]

And, also, please don't tell me you don't know about the flyers that were going around Odessa last year threatening to kill the Jews.. it has been widely reported internationally.. and there have been plenty of other incidents too.

No I don’t know about it. If I followed all the rubbish and hype that is published by the media like AIDS/Swine Flu I would have been paranoid and mad by now. Well, like the majority of people out there. I only believe what I see. You are absolutely right that cars are much more dangerous.

All you need is common sense.

[AramisLux]

Stirlitz has it exactly right, i think. the media makes a business out of hyping things like AIDS and swine flu. the current swine flu coming out of mexico is no more dangerous than seasonal flu (maybe a lot less dangerous) and yet some of those in positions of power want to scare the heck out of the rest of us and most of us are completely taken in by it.

[Stirlitz]

In terms of safety the police may be the biggest threat in Ukraine When you see them try not to speak English so as not to attract attention. Always have your passport on you with the immigration card.

[Makkin]

  Sounds as if Ukraine has not changed actually.

[Mir]

Just been to Kiev.

It felt very safe although I am sure there are threats all over (but that is anywhere).

The ATMs are giving out cash and infact can be rather generous. On my last day used an ATM and instead of 200 UAH I asked it gave me 1000. Money changers are working without restrictions so no problem changing unused money into $ or Euro.
It is advised to use taxi (and from a reputable company rather off the street) and not to be seen using an ATM late at night.
As all Western tourists are men they don't need to fear from serial killers who usually kill women

[giants11]

Who gives a shit. If you go to Ukraine you are going to pretty much a 3rd world country. You better keep an eye on your wallet and watch or else they will rob you blind.

Just use common sense when you go don't dress like a bloddy american tourist and blab your mouth off to the locals like you are Donald Trump!

[Sculpto]

Who gives a *snip*. If you go to Ukraine you are going to pretty much a 3rd world country. You better keep an eye on your wallet and watch or else they will rob you blind.

Just use common sense when you go don't dress like a bloddy american tourist and blab your mouth off to the locals like you are Donald Trump!

Comments like this are exactly what make Americans look bad in the eyes of the world.  Dude, you don't even know what the so called third world is if you think Ukraine is in it.  In fact, I just had this conversation last night on the phone with a member of the forum.

The real so called third world is found in places where there really is no development.  where people carry water from a well and gather firewood from the floor of the forest and compete with the rats that try to steal food from the larder. 

Ukraine and Russia are part of the so called developed world.  In both countries there are infrastructure issues from lack of maintaining the built environment, but, both places sport better education than the US and Russia in particular with her vast natural resources stands in a position to kick the collective ass of the US economically going forward into the next couple of generations.  To suggest they are third world is not only ignorant but also really arrogant. 

[ECOCKS]

Another safety comment as well as general environmental issues.....(from Businessweek's 55 Hardship Post Cities in the World, counting from worst)

No. 19 Kiev, Ukraine
Overall Grade: Medium Risk Location
Problems: Pollution, Disease & Sanitation, Medical Facilities, Infrastructure, Crime, Communications

The capital of Ukraine has the dubious honor of being the worst-performing European city on ORC's list. The medical facilities are inadequate, says ORC. "Also of concern are racially motivated attacks against non-Caucasians, and crime in general."

Rest of story here:

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/03/0304_difficult_cities/20.htm

[Mir]

The capital of Ukraine has the dubious honor of being the worst-performing European city on ORC's list

Actually it only considered Eastern European cities and looks to be rather an opinionated article.
I certainly feel that cities like Moscow, Minsk and Sarajevo would be more dangerous to live in.
And what about places like Tehran and Johannesburg?
It certainly is a lot safer in Kiev then Johannesburg IMHO.
Looks like the surveyor did not have much luck with the ladies in Kiev

[KievHarmony]

Actually it only considered Eastern European cities and looks to be rather an opinionated article.
I certainly feel that cities like Moscow, Minsk and Sarajevo would be more dangerous to live in.
And what about places like Tehran and Johannesburg?
It certainly is a lot safer in Kiev then Johannesburg IMHO.
Looks like the surveyor did not have much luck with the ladies in Kiev

I think there are more probabilities to be robbed in the street in some places in Italy, France or Spain rather than in Ukraine. The real risk in Ukraine is to face a group of drunk people who don't like your face.  The danger exist like everywhere and except a few places (Montreal in one of these) , I will not take the risk to walk in the dark after 2am... Tehran is a very safe place. You must just avoid the police.