John William

Hi <BR>I have just came from a five day trip to Lisbon and saw a terible thing inside a tram (they call it electro): three guys atacking a tourist that was carrying a bag on his shoulder. The tourist started to react, the three jumped over him and they rolled down to the pavement. When I arrived at my hotel I told to the concierge and the doorman what happened and they said it happens every day on trams, 15, 18 and 28, which are usually full of tourists as they lead do the main sights of Lisbon. I was taking tram 15 that goes to Belem.<BR>So, if you go to Lisbon, that is a wonderful city, take care when you take these trams.

Julie

I was posted in Lisbon for 3 years (mid-1990's) and even though they do have their fair share of muggings and car break-ins - I still felt safer there then I do here in the greater Washington DC area. Just follow some simple rules wherever in the world you are....keep your eyes open, be aware of your surroundings and never wear or carry anything with you that you feel is irreplacable (i.e., I leave my wedding ring at home when I travel and just wear my plain band) No country is perfect but I must say Portugal is still one of the safest places I have ever visited.

Julie

I was posted in Lisbon for 3 years (mid-1990's) and even though they do have their fair share of muggings and car break-ins - I still felt safer there then I do here in the greater Washington DC area. Just follow some simple rules wherever in the world you are....keep your eyes open, be aware of your surroundings and never wear or carry anything with you that you feel is irreplacable (i.e., I leave my wedding ring at home when I travel and just wear my plain band) No country is perfect but I must say Portugal is still one of the safest places I have ever visited.

Tilly

Thanks for the heads-up, John William. It's good to know where to avoid in any city (there's always someplace, even in lovely Lisbon, I guess!)<BR><BR>Hopefully the Lisbon police will start riding those particular trams soon.

aj

I have heard on this board that this is a great tram to take for a view of the city. Are there any up-to-date reports on this tram/area? Has anyone else found this tram unsafe? We will be there<BR>in May and I would like to take this tram.

travisblue

I was in Lisbon for 1 week in December '02. I was on my own, and had no problems taking this tram, as well as walking around at night, shopping, eating, sightseeing etc. I didn't carry a purse, only a small wallet with some cash in my coat pocket, and a small shopping bag (see thru) to carry maps, notes, gifts, etc.

angeleno

i was never as afraid for my life and possessions like i was in lisbon. interesting that one poster felt safer there than in washington, although falling airplanes and poisoned mail doesn't induce feelings of security

ThinGorjus

My ex-husband, Rogerio, lives in Lisboa, the city of his birth. I have been to visit and I never saw or experienced any crime. However, I was warned that the train from Lisboa to Sintra from Rossio is dangerous at night for the very reason posted by John William. You should always carry your bag across your body, bandolier-style, like the ladies of New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. Lisboa is generally very safe and conservative.

MHS

&quot;When I arrived at my hotel I told to the concierge and the doorman what happened and they said it happens every day on trams, 15, 18 and 28, which are usually full of tourists as they lead do the main sights of Lisbon.&quot; Then the VIP question is: Why is there no major police presence on these cars 24/7???? Look how promply &amp; effectively Miami police responded to a similar problem involving tourists there. We really need to write letters of protest &amp; outrage to ambassadors, major newspapers, Chiefs of Police, Mayors, etc. to each city/country in which this type of thing occurs (include NYTimes Travel Section editors, major travel magazines in USA, etc.) -- and be very clear about our intent to boycot tourism there &amp; encourage others to also.

Tere

Well, I must say I am Portuguese and live in Lisbon's surroundings. Never have I heard on the news or in the newspapers I read that to happen every day. Of course we have our share of pickpockets and car robbers but is there a city in the world that hasn't?<BR>I was already robbed in London, in Budapest and in Rome and I would never post with such a title in big letters...Like Julie said, I still feel Lisbon and Portugal in general are some of the safest places to live in.

jenneepoo

Was JUST in Lisbon and felt perfectly safe taking the normal precautions I would take in any large city. This includes riding the 28 around for a while and whichever trolley goes out to Belem, both with a mix of locals and tourists. I did have the misfortune of witnessing the pocketpicking of an elderly gentleman by two young men. The worst part, other than not being able to stop it, was the smug look on the face of the fellow doing the lifting - he looked like he thought he was doing something cute and harmless, some little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I can still picture it, but I wasn't sure he was doing it until he actually did it. Awful. Be prepared for plenty of begging there, but none of them were aggressive about it. I read all sorts of stories along the lines of yours before I went to Spain and Portugal, and for the most part, I felt really safe all day and into the night everywhere we went. There are many older folks out and about at all hours, too, which made me feel like if they could be out at 2a.m., then it was okay for me too.
Be careful everywhere; just try not to get paranoid.

capo

Curious, I found this. It mentions a specific tram line and a specific train segment.

http://www.idealportugal.com/info_pages/crime.htm

&quot;Crime in Portugal&quot;

While thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S. Embassy receives frequent reports of theft from the following areas:

Lisbon Area: Pick-pocketing and purse-snatching in the Lisbon area occur in buses, restaurants, the airport, trains, train stations, and trams, especially tram number twenty-eight to the Castle of Sao Jorge. Gangs of youths have robbed passengers on the Lisbon-Cascais train.