Page 206 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New Orleans

204  sur viv al guide

Personal Security and Health It is important to realize
that most crime is largely
New Orleans is a very friendly city, and visitors can expect contained within blighted
people to help should anything go wrong. However, as in and economically depressed
any large city, you must take some simple precautions for neighborhoods. It is unlikely
safety. learn how to recognize and locate law enforcement that a visitor to the city would
wander into one of these areas
officers, and also how to identify the less safe areas of the since they are largely devoid of
city. always check with friends and hotel staff before going tourist attractions. The streets
out in the evening. it is also important to know how to find of New Orleans are generally
medical help if necessary. although the weather is generally safe just as long as you are
good, New Orleans experiences some extreme weather, aware of your surroundings
and exercise good judgment.
with high heat and humidity in the summer and occasional
damaging hurricanes.
In an Emergency
there is a considerable police To contact the authorities
presence in the tourist areas, it is for fire, medical, or police
still wise to use common sense. emergencies, dial 911. This
Do not advertise the fact that call is free of charge from any
you are a visitor, but prepare the phone. If urgent medical care is
day’s itinerary in advance, and needed, you can also proceed
study your map before setting to the emergency room at the
off. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry, Medical Center of Louisiana
and carry your camera securely. or the one at Touro Infirmary.
Only carry small amounts of For dental emergencies, call
cash; credit cards and traveler’s either the New Orleans Dental
checks are more secure options. Association or the Medical
Keep these close to your body in Center of Louisiana; both are
a money belt or an inside pocket. open 24 hours a day.
Before leaving home, take The police patrol have a
photocopies of all important wealth of experience dealing
documents, including your with property crime, violent
Mounted police on patrol, Bourbon Street, passport and visa, and keep crime, and crowd control during
French Quarter them with you, separate from large events such as Mardi Gras
the originals. Make a
Police note of your credit card
The New Orleans Police numbers, in the event
Department patrols the city of their being stolen.
streets on foot, on bicycles, Keep an eye on your
on motorcycles, on horse back, belongings at all times,
and in cars. Patrols focus on whether checking
popular areas such as the into or out of a hotel,
French Quarter, the Garden standing at the airport,
District, and the Central or sitting in a bar or Police car
Business District (CBD). There restaurant. Keep any
are also private security valuables in the hotel
companies that patrol the CBD, safe, as most hotels
the Garden District, and a few will not guarantee their
other Uptown neighborhoods. security if they are left
As New Orleans has a lively in the room. Also be
nightlife, there is a strong police careful not to tell
presence 24 hours a day. strangers where you are
staying, and do not let Ambulance
anyone you do not
What to be Aware of know into your room.
New Orleans has made great When parking your
strides in reducing crime rates, car, avoid dark and quiet
but visitors still need to be alert. streets, and whenever
If possible, stay in a large group possible, use well-lit
when sightseeing outside, and public parking lots
do not challenge a thief – no or the valet parking
camera or amount of money services of hotels
is worth the risk. Even though and restaurants. Fire engine

204-205_EW_New_Orleans.indd 204 13/08/14 2:10 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm