Slovenia 2009 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety Report

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Slovenia's overall crime rate is low and violent crimes involving U.S. personnel and tourists are relatively uncommon. Most crimes tend to be non-violent and directed towards obtaining property such as purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and residential and vehicle break-ins.  Americans living or traveling in Slovenia are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website to obtain updated information on travel and security within Slovenia.

Street Crime

There have been smash-and-grab incidents against vehicles parked at local shopping centers, as well as incidents of purse snatching and pick-pockets at restaurants located in the city center, on city-buses, and in the central open market. 

Vehicles

Vehicle theft and break-ins are a significant problem in Slovenia.  Perpetrators most often break into a vehicle to steal valuable contents left in plain sight or left in the trunk.  Theft of luxury vehicles or stripping them for parts also remains a problem. 

Residential Thefts

Residential burglaries occur where there are security vulnerabilities and/or residents are not implementing residential security practices.  Some reports indicate access is gained because front/back/side/patio doors are not secured with locking mechanism.  Thefts usually occur when occupants are away for an extended period of time.

Road Safety

Slovenia has a well-developed road network that is safe for travel.  Road safety still remains a major concern.   The number of traffic accidents fell in 2008 due to continuous traffic controls, increased fines, and safety awareness campaigns.  Most of the serious accidents in Slovenia occur as a result of high speed driving and/or driving under influence.  By Slovene law, the maximum blood-alcohol limit is 0.05.  Emergency roadside help and information may be found by dialing:

1987 for vehicle assistance and towing services

112 for an ambulance or fire brigade

113 for police

The speed limit is 50-kph/30 mph in urban areas, 130 kph/80 mph on expressways (the "avtocesta").  Motorists are required to have their headlights on during the daytime and drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.  Both drivers and passengers on motorcycles must wear sanctioned helmets.  The use of handheld cellular telephones while driving is also prohibited in Slovenia.

If you are involved in a traffic accident follow these procedures:

Do not move your vehicle, so that the accident scene can be maintained intact for the police to survey.  Fill out the European Traffic Accident Report.  Most European drivers keep a copy of the report in their vehicle.  One European Accident Report is sufficient for two parties in an accident.  Both drivers have to sign the accident report for it to become effective.  The police will inform you how you can obtain the copy of the police report.  If you intend to drive the damaged vehicle across the border, this report is mandatory.

Political Violence

Demonstrations

There are occasional political demonstrations in the city centers of Slovenia.  Most demonstrations occur in central Ljubljana around the Kongresni Trg (Congress Square), in front of the Parliament building, around local government buildings, and sometimes near the U.S. Embassy.  These demonstrations are usually peaceful and generally are not anti-American in nature.  

Terrorism

The terrorist threat level is low.  This assessment takes into account historical data relevant to terrorist activities and recent reporting indicating whether acts could be conducted without prior advance warnings.  At the same time there exists little, if any, international/transnational terrorist activity in Slovenia.  As a member of the Schengen area, Slovenia exerts strict control over its borders and procedures for issuing visas.

Organized Crime

Human trafficking is the most common form of organized crime in Slovenia, with the criminal cartels largely connected with the Western Balkans.  There have also been cases of arms trafficking and distribution of counterfeit Euros.

Post Specific Concerns

Earthquakes

A massive earthquake in or around Slovenia constitutes the largest post-specific threat for American citizens in Slovenia. The northwest section of the country is the most seismically active area, but there have been tremors in the capital in the past. 

Industrial Accidents

No significant industrial or transportation accidents have been reported in the past year.  However, a Slovenian co-owned nuclear power plant in Krsko, located 100 kilometers east from Ljubljana, had a minor coolant leak that was reported in June 2008.  The incident resulted in a large amount of media attention due to poor notification procedure.  The power plant was built in 1981 in accordance with Western standards.

Drug Smuggling

Slovenia is neither a major drug producer nor a major transit country for illicit narcotics.  Heroin from Afghanistan, which transits Turkey, continues to be smuggled via the "Balkan Route" and port of Koper through Slovenia to Western Europe.  Drug-related violence and kidnappings are extremely rare.

Police Response

Police response and services throughout Slovenia are good.  The police are well-trained, properly equipped, and English is the most widely spoken foreign language among local police.  If an individual believes that they have been detained or harassed by the police they should request that the U.S. Embassy be contacted on their behalf. 

If you have been the victim of a crime in Slovenia, please refer to the following list of telephone numbers for assistance:

Police - 113

Fire/Ambulance - 112

U.S. Embassy/24-hour Emergency Number: (386)-(1)-200-5500

The U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office (RSO) recommends filing a local police report in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred.  Filing a police report is not obligatory, but may assist the local police in catching the criminal(s).  In the city center of Ljubljana, reports should be given in person at the Ljubljana Police Station Center at Trdinova Street 10, telephone number: (386)-(0)1-475-0600.

Medical Emergencies

Adequate medical care is readily available.  Travelers to Slovenia may obtain a list of English-speaking physicians at the U.S. Embassy or online at: http://www.slovenia.usembassy.gov/medicalassistance.html. 

The primary hospital in Ljubljana is the Klinicni Center located at Zaloka 2.  The contact numbers for the hospital are as follows:

General number - (386)-(1)-52-25-050

Emergency number - (386)-(1)-52-24-341.

Immediate payment for medical services is required.

The provider of Air Ambulance Services is the Slovene Police and in some cases the Slovene Army.  There is no commercial provider of these services at this time.

Travel Precautions

American visitors are generally safe in Slovenia and are not singled out or targeted based on nationality, but rather for looking like a tourist.  Most of the crimes committed against American visitors fall into the category of petty theft, such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching.  These occur mostly in crowded areas, train stations, restaurants, open markets, and public transportation.

At present there are no off-limit areas designated by the Regional Security Officer in Ljubljana.  Still, travelers should be cautious when visiting some night clubs and bars.

Further Information

Contact numbers:

Regional Security Office: (386)-(1)-200-5619

Embassy Operator: 386)-(1)-200-5500

Medical Unit: (386)-(1)-200-5627

Consular Affairs: 386)-(1)-200-5734

Pol/Econ Section: (386)-(1)-200-5708

Marine Post One: (386)-(1)-200-5556

For more information visit the U.S. Embassy website at http://www.slovenia.usembassy.gov.