Staying Safe in St. Pete Beach

Tips for the Tourists:

St. Pete Beach is a great place to visit. However, unwary tourists can make easy targets for thieves because they stand out in a crowd, are unused to their surroundings, and are generally carrying money, credit cards and valuables like cameras. You can reduce your risk of becoming a victim by taking a few simple precautions.

General safety suggestions

• Keep your travel plans, including accommodation details, to yourself.
• Don't hitchhike.
• Keep a photocopy of your passport and all other important documents in a safe place.
• Use ATMs during the day, when there are people around.
• Try to rely more on credit cards and travelers checks than cash.
• If you are a victim of crime, don't fight back. It is better to lose a few dollars and a wristwatch than get injured.

• At the airport, watch for your suitcase as it appears on the carousel. Don't hang back and wait for the crowds to disperse - you might find that someone else has already taken your bag in the meantime.
• Avoid changing money at airports, as thieves could be watching you.
• Consult with your hotel manager or tourist information booth about the public transport in your area. Make sure you know what official taxi cabs look like. A thief may pose as a taxi driver to lure you into their car.
• Don't share taxis with strangers.

• Take note of emergency exits, stairwells, fire escapes and emergency plans, just in case.
• Always lock your hotel door when retiring for the night. If there is a chain included, use it.
• When arranging to meet people you've never met before (such as business associates), wait for them in the lobby. Don't ask them to come up to your room.

• Even if you're not sure where you're going, walk like you've got a purpose.
• Notice the people around you. Be wary if someone seems to be taking more than a passing interest.

• Don't wear expensive jewelery on obvious display.
• Carry valuables (such as traveller's cheques and credit cards) on a belt worn under the clothes and next to the skin.
• Wear your money belt somewhere other than around your waist. Thieves know all about money belts too.
• Consider carrying a 'dummy' wallet holding a small amount of cash. If you are directly confronted by a mugger, you can hand over the dummy wallet and avoid further distress.

• Posing as a tour guide and offering to show you the sights of the city.
• Slipping sedative drugs into your food or drink.

Safety Tip Information Provided by the US State Department