Warden Information

A Warden Message from the U.S. Embassy, Freetown
Subject:  Upsurge in Armed Robbery in Freetown
October 8, 2009

This Warden Message advises U.S. citizens of a heightened possibility of armed robbery in Freetown.  Sierra Leone is a developing country recovering from a ten-year civil war that ended in 2002, and the majority of Sierra Leoneans are still grappling with the issues of poverty and lack of public resources that foster criminality.  There has recently been an upsurge in armed robberies in Freetown as well as in other parts of Sierra Leone.  In addition, business fraud schemes are also rampant and the perpetrators often target foreigners, including Americans.

In light of the upsurge in armed robberies in Freetown, the Government of Sierra Leone has called in the military to assist the civil police under a provision called the Military Aid to Civil Power (MACP).  As a result, there will be joint police-military patrols.  These patrols will set-up vehicle checkpoints at various locations in Freetown from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., effective October 7, 2009. 

If stopped, comply with all instructions and, when necessary, request that officers properly indentify themselves.  Remain calm, explain that you are a U.S. citizen, show your identification, but do not surrender your identification to anyone.  If you are uncomfortable with officers’ instructions, take note of the area where the checkpoint is set up and ask for permission to call the Embassy while you remain in your vehicle.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Sierra Leone are encouraged to register with the Embassy in Freetown to obtain up-to-date information on safety and security within Sierra Leone.  Registration may be done online, and can be done in advance of travel at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the Embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or the Department of State to contact them in case of emergency.  Additional Country Specific Information may be found at the Department of State website http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1016.html.

The Embassy is located at Leicester Square, Regent; tel. (232) (22) 515 000 or (232) (76) 515 000; fax (232) (22) 515 355.  For after-hours emergencies, please call (232) (76) 515 000.  The Embassy maintains a home page on the Internet at http://freetown.usembassy.gov/.
Please share this message with as many Americans as you can.