Firearms in Guayaquil
An article was featured in today's paper about robberies on one of the main highways here in Guayaquil. Armed motorcycle riders are robbing people while parked at traffic lights. Here in Ecuador a reported 450,000 have guns, with over 250,000 of them illegal. Robberies can happen anytime but mostly occur where there aren't many people around or getaways can be fast.
Ecuador is a nice place to visit and normally people are freindly. If you take some precautions you will lessen your chances of being robbed. You should always keep your windows rolled up, no matter where you are, and all doors locked. If people try to get you to open your window to talk to them, don't. The more insistent they are, the more likely they are trying to rob you. Remember they can hear you if you talk with the window rolled up. Say no, shake your head and look straight ahead or beside you. Normally, they will move on.
If possible put your handbag, camera and other valuables behind the passenger seat and cover them with a loose blanket. If no blanket is handy, almost anything will do. I've even crumpled up plastic grocery bags and covered all of my things then thrown others on top to look like garbage. Many robbers will pass you on a motorcycle slowly approaching a traffic light while they are actually looking inside the cars. A purse sitting in the floor or beside the driver with an open window is just screaming to the robbers to snatch it.
Also be aware of buying things on the street. If you open a wallet to take out a bill many can see your money. They can snatch it and run or place a call to a waiting friend to stop you farther up the road. Keep several dollars in loose change in your door holder or compartment. If you do want to buy something on the road, use this money and never open your purse or wallet to show your money.
If you are robbed the best thing to do is to hand them the money. Most robbers want to get away as quickly as possible if they are in busy sectors. I always keep another small change purse beside my seat, covered with papers. If I do get robbed I would first give them this. Most will take it and run. However, if they are surrounding your car to search it or threatening you, give them everything. You can always replace it later.
For women, a good trick I've learned is to have one large handbag in my car which holds my money, charge cards, etc. I then carry a smaller one when I leave my car with just the money or charge card I need and my ID. It won't help you if you are robbed while inside your car but will help if you are outside or shopping. Remember to cover the large handbag in the backseat when you leave your car and be sure to park in guarded areas and parking lots when leaving your valuables.
Robbers don't go out during the day looking to rob YOU. They go out looking for easy targets. Your goal is to be as unnoticeable as possible and appear to have nothing of value to steal. Your chances of being robbed will be very slim and you will enjoy the more beautiful things that Ecuador has to offer.
