While Panama is a relatively safe country, much safer than most large metropolitan cities world-wide, there are occasional instances of crime.
For the most part, crime in Panama consists of petty theft. You might find that an unattended hammock, garden hose or fallen coconuts may sprout legs and migrate from your property. This sort of crime has much to do with the large income disparity between social classes in Panama. A hammock for many people in Panama is much more than a relaxing place to lounge, often a hammock serves as a bed or primary furniture. While this sort of thievery can be annoying, and can leave you with a sense of violation of privacy, it is rarely violent.
Like most places on earth, the local media has a way of over dramatizing crime, leaving the general population with a perception of a much higher crime level than what actually exists. While it is very important to keep things in perspective in regards to crime, it is equally as important to protect yourself, and take precautions to help keep yourself and your property safe.
Using common sense is your best defense. When you go out don’t wear flashy jewelry or carry large sums of cash, and if you are in a crowded area it is probably a good idea to tuck any necklaces under your shirt. Avoid rough parts of town especially at night. When driving in heavy traffic be aware of pedestrians and street vendors around you, and leave yourself some room to maneuver your car if necessary.
Do your best to blend in and learn and follow the local customs. The less attention you bring to yourself, the less likely you will be to run into any problems. People are more likely to take advantage of you if they think you are not savvy of local customs such as taxi fares, salaries, tips and prices of goods and services in general.
Ask for referrals or recommendations from trusted individuals when looking for domestic help. Unfortunately many break-ins are in some way, shape or form orchestrated or aided by deceitful or careless employees. Since domestic help usually lives or has keys to your home, it is very important to make sure they are honest and efficient.
When looking for real estate, consider property that works in conjunction with your lifestyle in Panama. If you are not going to be living in Panama full time, or will be traveling often, it is probably a good idea to consider an apartment or condo rather than a home. Apartments generally have 24 hour security, limited access parking and are much easier and convenient to lock up and leave than homes.
If you are going to be leaving your home for any extended period of time, it is probably a good idea to have a caretaker or neighbor check in periodically. Security lights with photocells are also a very good idea. Last but not least, it is helpful to keep outdoor items such as BBQ’s, hammocks and garden hoses to name a few secured or out of site from the casual passerby.
Security bars on windows, though less and less common in new construction are still pretty widespread throughout the country. They can help serve as a deterrent, though there are many new building materials that can provide the same deterrent qualities without the feeling of being caged in.
Dogs are probably one of the greatest sources for home protection in the republic. They are loyal, don’t usually take bribes, and can do a phenomenal job of alerting you of any unusual activity. In most cases, dogs are the best prevention for crime in Panama.
It is also a very important to know local emergency numbers and have a list of them handy in case of an emergency. The following numbers are a good collection to start with:
104 Police
103 Fire Dept.
316-0080 Civil Protection
Ambulance Services:229-1133 (social security)
228-2187 (Red Cross)
269-1111 (Alerta – private ambulatory service)
264-4122 (SEMM – private ambulatory service)
102 Directory Assistance
106 Operator for Intl. Calls
101 Operator for National Calls
105 Exact Time
207-7000 US Embassy
264-9731 Canadian Embassy
Essentially, Panama is a safe country, and the above precautions should not apply specifically to Panama, but to every town, city, and country in this crazy, ever-changing world we live in.