72% of Thefts Against Tourists, Study Reveals
According to a study by the Unidad de Análisis Criminal de la Oficina de Planes y Operaciones (OPO) of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), between Jnauary 1, 2004 and April 30, 2005, 72% of "hurtos" - thefts without the use of force or violence - in San José is perpetrated against tourists.

In definite numbers, there were 1.275 hurtos reported during the 16 month study, of which 918 where reported by foreigners and 357 by nationals.

The study reveals that the highest number of incidents reported (773 or 60%) where in the areas of La Merced, Catedral, El Carmen and Hospital, all in the centre of San José.

The study also revealed that in 318 cases the victim was a customer in a retail store and 165 of thefts occurred while the victim was leaving a hotel.

The days with the highest number of incidents are Fridays and Saturdays.

The study shows that carelessness of the victim is the highest cause of the thefts, while distraction by the thieves was second.

A common practice to distract tourists is for one thief to stop and open a conversation with the foreigner, creating a distraction, while an accomplice, from behind will steal whatever is ready at hand - a camera, bag, purse, etc.

Incidents of gangs attacking tourists has been a priority for the Municipal police in areas of the Boulevard - the pedestrian way in centre town - which has reduced greatly the number of incidents involving gangs. However, a two person tag team is harder to spot and easier to fall victim to.

One recent incident involved a foreigner resident who was distracted by a young beautiful girl calling his attention, while a female accomplice was on the back ready to strike. The alert foreigner foiled the attack without incident.

The tag team attacks are usually without violence and the use of a weapon is remote. Their intent is to distract and snatch, not to confront.

Authorities are concerned because these type of incidents is on the rise. In January of this year there were 103 reports made, compared to only 75 in January 2004. April, the last month in the study showed 82 reports, compared to 79 the previous year.

To combat this rising trend, the San José Municipal police has initiated a program of plain clothes police officers to mingle in the crowds, with the hopes of spotting and stopping these petty criminals.