Page 368 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New York City

366  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Personal Security and Health What to Be Aware Of
Manhattan has become
New York is one of the US’s safest large cities. There is a good quite a safe place to roam,
level of security in the city, the transportation system, and but pick pockets do operate
at airports, and the city’s police force is very much in evidence and common sense still rules,
around Manhattan. As in any major metropolis, there are places as in any big city. Be alert,
and walk as if you know
where travelers should avoid venturing after dark alone, such where you’re going. If
as city parks and quiet streets. But if you keep your wits about someone asks you for money,
you and stick to the following guidelines, you should enjoy a be careful and do not be
trouble-free and pleasant visit to New York City. drawn into a conversation.
It is better to avoid deserted
locations late at night, even
managed, with helpful staff. if there is no obvious danger.
If you don’t know who Parts of the Lower East
to contact, phone 311 Side, Chinatown, or Midtown
for guidance. west of Broadway bustle
In the event of loss or through dinner hours but
theft of valuables, report feel empty after 10pm or
all missing items to the police, so. The Financial District is
or Crime Victims Hot Line deserted after business
and make sure you get a hours, and even the very
copy of the police report trendy TriBeCa and SoHo
for your insurance claim. areas are empty late at
Keep the receipts of night. Subways stay crowded
expensive items as proof until around 11pm, but
of possession. may not be advisable later.
If your passport is stolen, If you can’t find or afford
report the theft immediately a taxi, try to travel with a
to your consulate (see p365). group and keep to the
Lost or stolen credit cards main streets.
New York City police officers patrolling should also be reported Parks are not recommended
the streets promptly so that your account after dark, unless there is
can be blocked. American a concert or other event. If
Express (see p369) has offices you want to go for a jog,
Police
in the city where new cards ask your hotel concierge for
The New York City Police can be processed quickly, a map of safe routes. In
Department has around­ and other card companies crowds, take precautions
the­clock foot, horse, bike, can often provide replace­ to avoid pickpockets.
and car patrols. These are ments. It is always a good When walking in the
concen trated in specific areas idea to separate your credit street, keep your wallet in an
at critical times – for instance, and debit cards, so that if inconspicuous place, never in
the Theater District aftershow a wallet is lost, you have a a back pocket, and have your
times. There is also a police backup card. MetroCard or change handy
presence on the subways
and buses, and this has
contributed to a dramatic
drop in crime statistics.
Lost and Stolen Property
There is no city­wide lost­
and­found service, but
the Metropolitan Transit
Authority (MTA) (see p385)
has a lost­and­found
department for city buses
and subways, and the Taxi
& Limousine Commission
(see p381) will assist passengers
who have left belongings
in a cab. The lost­and­
found rooms at Grand Central
and Penn train stations are well Be aware of pickpockets when exploring the city

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