Liberia 2007 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety Report

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The unemployment rate in Liberia is approximately 85%, as is the illiteracy rate. The Liberian National Police (LNP), numbering 3,500 for a total estimated population of 3.5 million, over 1.5 million of whom live in Greater Monrovia, are poorly trained and not effective in deterring crime or disrupting burglaries. Some of the LNP have recently received side arms, but the police are generally unarmed and operate without basic equipment such as vehicles and radio communications.

The UN peacekeeping mission (UNMIL) has 15,000 troops deployed, as well as several Formed Police Units. UNMIL shoulders the primary responsibility for security in Liberia.

Monrovia is rated a critical threat post for crime by the Department of State, much of which can be attributed to desperation, although there are a few criminal gangs whose activities are more or less organized.

Road conditions in Monrovia are extremely poor. Many are paved, or were paved at one time, but now are full of large potholes. The heavy rains contribute to rapid deterioration of the roads, both paved and unpaved. Traveling outside the city requires four-wheel drive, and during the six-month rainy season many roads are impassible and many small towns and villages inaccessible.

Political Violence

Liberia is emerging from nearly two decades of civil war and struggling to emerge as a fragile functioning country. Immediately following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Accra in 2003, 103,000 ex-combatants registered with UNMIL. Both the interim government, and the current elected government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, which has been in office since January 2006, have worked with international donors on multi-faceted programs to reintegrate former combatants into their communities and to return hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons to their home communities. The government is also engaged in programs to rebuild infrastructure, eliminate corruption, foster respect for human rights, and provide a stable environment in which to encourage economic development.

The atmosphere in the country is calm. No specific or credible information is available to suggest that American citizens and/or U.S. facilities in Liberia are specifically targeted, although periodically disgruntled groups do march to the embassy to petition to have their complaints heard. The danger to American citizens derives mainly from random criminal acts such as burglary and robbery, both on the street and in home invasions.

Post-Specific Concerns

Embassy personnel reside on two compounds or in apartment buildings immediately adjacent to the compounds. The perimeter walls are protected with concertina wire and a 24-hour unarmed guard force. American contractors, businesses, international NGOs and UNMIL civilian personnel are more widely dispersed in the city. They generally live and work within walled compounds. They usually maintain guards on their offices and residences at least after dark and many have security on a 24-hour basis.

Embassy personnel are prohibited from using local taxis, which are poorly maintained, and no public bus service exists in the city. Embassy personnel must obtain special permission/authorization for travel outside the Greater Monrovia area. Embassy personnel have a 2 a.m. curfew. UNMIL personnel are bound by a midnight curfew. The curfew restrictions are driven by the absence of police presence on the streets after dark and the inability of the police to respond to emergency calls.

Monrovia has very limited electric service, no piped water system, and no land line telephone service. The embassy generates all its own electricity and supplies all its own water by tanker truck or a reverse osmosis plant on premises.

Monrovia receives approximately 200 inches of rain annually. It has a six-month rainy season (May-October) and a six-month dry season (November-April). The heavy rain plays havoc with the roads, as well as creating problematic health and maintenance conditions.

Auto theft is not a major factor in Liberia. However, auto accidents are common. There are only two or three traffic lights in operation in Monrovia. Due to the poor maintenance of the roads, rarely used traffic lanes, and traffic jams, vehicles are susceptible to being in an accident. Driving at night poses some danger. Broken-down vehicles frequently are left unattended and without the proper visible signs (flares, road cones, signs) of distress. This is the cause of many night time vehicular collisions.

Drugs and illegal narcotics are a not as major a problem in Monrovia as in other places. Drugs were commonplace during the civil war. Currently, drugs are available in certain communities. The Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency is working with other local law enforcement agencies to execute counternarcotic operations to stop distribution and sale of illegal narcotics.

Terrorism is always a concern, but Liberia is not a country in which terrorist organizations are thought to operate. There have been no terrorist incidents in the country. The U.S. Embassy maintains a high level of readiness on a consistent basis. Monrovia is not known for being a location where international terrorist organizations congregate or train. Although Liberia's borders are porous, its ports poorly maintained and monitored, and its airport well below internationally accepted security standards, terrorists are not believed to be targeting Liberia. The banking system is weak, and regulations archaic, but there is no evidence that banks operating in Liberia are being used to transfer funds to or from terrorist organizations.

Police response

The Liberian National Police (LNP) is being retrained under UNMIL supervision. The old LNP, many of whom have been demobilized and provided pensions, were predatory, often paying themselves, and generally being undisciplined and unreliable. The new LNP are a work in progress. Training is ongoing, and conducted against a backdrop of inadequate resources and deep-seated suspicion. The LNP is making strides toward becoming more professional, but the learning and resource curves are steep. The ability of the LNP to take proactive intervention is limited. Nonetheless, victims of crime should report the incident to the LNP as well as to the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy.

Medical emergencies

Medical facilities are poorly equipped and staffed. Thus, they are generally incapable of providing even basic services. Medicines are scarce, and may be past their expiration dates. Liberia has a total of 51 Liberian doctors, although UNMIL and numerous NGOs provide medical care in the country. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services often before rendering the services. In the event of serious emergency, medical evacuation is recommended. Thus, medical evacuation insurance is also strongly encouraged.

Travel precautions

Travelers should avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables and should avoid wearing expensive-looking jewelry. Security conditions at local hotels are generally poor, although several do maintain guards on the premises. Counterfeit U.S. currency and other money scams are common. While money changers operate on the street, visitors are encouraged to use the formal banking system. Liberia uses U.S. Dollars as its main currency. Most prices in hotels and restaurants are denominated in U.S. Dollars. Liberia also has a second currency (Liberty) that circulates for transactions on the street. In 2006 the exchange rate fluctuated between 50-60 Liberty to US $1.

American citizens should have valid visas prior to traveling to Liberia. Airport visas are not issued except in extraordinary circumstances and by pre-arrangement. All travelers must have up-to-date immunizations and a yellow fever vaccination in their shot records.

Credit cards are not accepted in Liberia, so travelers should carry cash or plan on wire transfers through Western Union or MoneyGram. Several banks in Monrovia provide wire transfer services and will accept travelers' cheques.

Further Information

The embassy cautions private citizens traveling to Liberia to read the Consular Information Sheet carefully and to register with the U.S. Embassy Consular Section upon arrival (or on-line). The embassy is located at 111 United Nations Drive, Mamba Point, Monrovia, Liberia. The U.S. Embassy telephone number is 011-231-77-054826 and fax 011-231-77-010370. The Regional Security Officer can be reached at ext 1270/1271/1272. After hours, the RSO can be contacted via Post One (24 Hour Marine Guard) at ext. 1250.

There is a functioning OSAC Country Council in Monrovia.  For more information, contact the Regional Security Office.