| Every week I get at least one email from | | | | then of course you put yourself at risk. |
| someone asking about Crime and any possible | | | | I think this might be a good example. I lived in |
| terrorism in Cebu. Some guys said they have | | | | Fort Myers, Florida for about ten years before |
| read articles about bombs exploding all over Cebu | | | | moving to Cebu. The Fort Myers area continues |
| City and army forces marching down the streets | | | | to grow every year. Lots and lots of people |
| of Cebu shooting people. FIRST OF ALL, there is | | | | move to Fort Myers and there's lots and lots of |
| NO terrorism in Cebu, No bombs exploding and | | | | new homes going up all over the area. Fort Myers |
| the last I checked the army was not marching | | | | is a safe place to live, but has two known High |
| the streets of the city. I have said it hundreds of | | | | crime areas, Pine Manor and Dunbar. During the |
| times, Cebu is a very safe place and I feel safer | | | | day these two areas are somewhat safe, but |
| in Cebu than I did living in Fort Myers, Florida. As | | | | NOT at night. Going into these areas at night and |
| for the guys with the over active imagination I | | | | alone is nothing less than stupid. The same can be |
| can only recommend that you check your | | | | said for a couple areas of Cebu city. Colon and |
| sources before making such crazy statements. | | | | parts of Mandaue are not the safest place to go |
| There is crime in Cebu, just as there is in any | | | | at night. |
| major world city in any country. This week I | | | | Here's the difference. When someone gets |
| wanted to write a long article about safety and | | | | robbed, shot, raped or beat up in Fort Myers |
| crime in Cebu City and the Province of Cebu. My | | | | there is NO National headline or evening news |
| intent was to put to rest some of the wild | | | | program stating Fort Myers is a terrorist area and |
| statements about Cebu and terrorism. Again, | | | | high crime area to avoid. However, when the |
| there is not any terrorism type activity in Cebu. | | | | same crime happens to an expat in Cebu there |
| Anyway, as I started to research the crime | | | | are World headlines and news programs stating |
| statistics for both the city and province I found | | | | Cebu is a dangerous place. Why, because a silly |
| some very different numbers. Seems all the | | | | expat failed to heed warnings about certain areas |
| Philippine government agencies I checked for | | | | to avoid and becomes a crime victim and the |
| crime statistics have different numbers or no | | | | Embassies picks up the story and issues travel |
| numbers at all. Needless to say this is a bit of a | | | | warnings and then the story gets blown way up |
| surprise to me. Then again, it's the Philippines and | | | | stating the whole country is dangerous. All |
| different agencies use different reporting | | | | because a tourist felt his nationality would protect |
| methods. The Philippine National Police PNP | | | | him and he didn't need to listen to warnings about |
| certainly doesn't want to show any type of | | | | certain areas to avoid. |
| increase in crime numbers and the City | | | | When in Cebu you can expect to hear of crime. |
| government wouldn't either, that would hurt | | | | When in Fort Myers you can expect to hear of |
| tourism. | | | | crime. You know the areas NOT to go to, SO |
| Here's the question, is there an increase in crime | | | | DON'T go to those small areas that are known |
| in the city and depending on which agency you | | | | for crime. SIMPLE! Then you don't become a |
| ask the answer is yes and no. Much of the | | | | victim. I will continue to research the crime |
| confusion is just individual agencies protecting | | | | statistics and when I get some valid numbers I |
| themselves and their jobs. As Cebu grows in | | | | will write the article about Cebu Crime. Until then, |
| population one can assume that the crime rate | | | | please use common sense. Know where to go |
| has gone up. The biggest crime will always be | | | | and where not to go. Just like you do in your |
| street crime such as pick pockets and armed | | | | home country. |
| robbery. Most of these crimes won't be against | | | | By using common sense you will have a |
| expats, but Filipinos. Expats do need to be aware | | | | wonderful time in Cebu and enjoy the area as |
| that most Filipinos think we are all rich and we are | | | | much as I do. Just remember, you are a visitor |
| walking ATM's. That just means don't go walking | | | | and guest of the Philippines, BE NICE! |
| around the wrong area alone after dark. If you do | | | | |