Security in Paris

It would be remiss if the group did not mention security in Paris.  There is definitely increased security with police and the military roaming with automatic weapons that guard monuments and streets.  As you go into a monument or museum, there is security, wanding and sometimes x-rays.  All purses are searched although not  thoroughly.  One portion of the purse is unzipped so that security can look inside.  Large department stores also wand and search purses.

The group saw more police action in the last 2 weeks than the last year at home.  We saw streets blocked, van loads of military personnel, and lots of patrols.  Although there is a big police / military presence, we never felt in danger.  There were definitely fewer tourists and shorter lines.  We still recommend that people visit.

As far as tourist safety/crime, the group did experience a couple of attempts. There are certain Metro stops where warning messages about pickpockets are made in multiple languages.  Both, Larry and Greg, had their back pockets patted down (not by security but friendly pick pockets).  One at the Eiffel Tower and the other on the crowded Metro.  Jerry, Joyce and Debbie maintained that it is because they look like “Easy pickings”.  Larry and Greg insist that it is because they are the most security conscience.  (You know they both have pocket knives.)

Don’s incident fell into his own category.  He had the most harrowing experience of the group.  Don and Greg had been to the Eiffel Tower at night (No doubt they were jealous of the stunning pictures that the others had taken.)  They were returning via the Metro stop, Bir-Hakeim.  This is a poorly lit stop with construction in the surrounding area.  To enter at station, one scans a Metro badge, walks through a chute and the gate opens if a successful scan.  People queue up behind each other in the chute.  Greg went through the gate (remember he normally leads).  Don followed but the scan was unsuccessful.  He was mobbed by teenage boys trying to grab his shoulder bag.  Luckily, Don was able to hold them off while Greg got the gate open.  As the boys left, they threw another man’s wallet through the gate.  The man didn’t even know that he had lost the wallet until it flew over the gate.  (Hooray for Don!).

In summary, did we feel safe?  Yes.

Our advice to you:

• Be aware of your surroundings
• Don’t carry all your valuables with you especially in high traffic areas.
• Don’t use Bir-Hakeim as an entrance or exit at night

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Would we go to Paris again?  Absolutely