HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

June 18, 2012. Government Warning Issued for Haiti

SOURCE: U.S. Department of State

This security message is issued by the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince to inform U.S. citizens traveling or visiting Haiti that on five separate occasions within the last two weeks, U.S. Embassy personnel have either been directly involved in or within the vicinity of violent criminal activity. This includes two incidents in Petionville, a shooting near the residence of a U.S. government employee in Morne Brun, a robbery near the embassy, and an attempted break-in of an embassy residence.

These incidents should serve as a reminder of Haiti's crime environment and the reality that crime can happen anywhere, at anytime, to anyone. Therefore, it is important for you to employ sound security precautions at all times and pay close attention to your surroundings.

U.S. citizens should utilize each piece of security equipment made available to them. It is important for U.S. citizens to:

1. Use locks, grills, and alarm where available.

2. Instruct household help on basic security practices.

3. Note any lights out on the exterior of the property for immediate replacement.

4. Report any suspicious calls, visits, or sightings to the police.

5. Do not open the door to unknown visitors. Use your door view finder to confirm identity.

6. While in a vehicle, keep the windows up and doors locked.

7. Avoid walking in certain areas of Port-au-Prince. If nothing else, less than disciplined driving practices in Haiti present real safety hazards to pedestrians.

8. Report incidents to the police immediately.

U.S. citizens are also urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP - https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/) in order to receive the most up-to-date security information. While the Embassy's ability to provide emergency consular services is extremely limited, travel enrollment will enable receipt of emergency messages via email.

Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States; callers outside the United States and Canada can receive the information by calling a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except U.S. federal holidays.

The Embassy of the United States of America is located in Port-au-Prince at Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41, Tabarre, Haiti, telephone: (509) (2) 229-8000, facsimile: (509) (2) 229-8027, email: acspap@state.gov American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Consular Section is closed on U.S. and local holidays. After hours, on weekends and on holidays, please call (509) (2) 229-8000. The Marine guard will connect you with the Embassy Duty Officer.

U.S. citizens can also stay informed about conditions in Haiti by following the Embassy and ACS on Twitter and Facebook.