Most staff at police stations don't speak foreign languages, which makes it impossible or painstakingly long to report a crime. Travel agencies often arrange a translator and driver for their clients who have been victims. If you're on your own and need to report a theft or another crime committed against you, head to the central City Tourism Information Office. Staff there have been trained and can competently assist foreigners in preparing and filing a police report, which in case of theft of valuables is necessary for insurance claims. The center operates only during business hours and is closed on weekends.

A lost-and-found office operated by the police is available in English as well. The St. Petersburg chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce and the city police have developed very helpful and detailed list of safety recommendations, which is available on the chamber's Web site at www.amcham.ru (click on St.Petersburg chapter and then go to Important Links section).

Emergency Services

Ambulance (03 for Russian speakers only). City Tourism Information Center (14 Sadovaya ul., City Center. 812/310-8286 or 812/310-2822. www.spb.ru/eng. Weekdays 10-6. Metro: Sennaya Ploshchad). Fire (01). Lost and Found (812/578-3690 English speakers available). Police (02 for Russian speakers only; 812/278-3018 foreigner hotline; 812/764-9798 task force for crimes against foreigners).

Dentists

In an emergency, you could ask your hotel for a referral, or try one of several private clinics in the city. Besides highly qualified doctors, the American Medical Center also has a dentist on staff, and even offers 24-hour emergency services; this place is not cheap, however. Another option is the chain of Medi clinics with 11 different locations; the clinics listed below are the most central ones. Other clinics that offer dental services include the Clinic Complex, Dental Polyclinic No. 3, and Normed.

Contact

American Medical Center (78 nab. Moiki, City Center. 812/740-2090. www.amcenters.com. Metro: Sennaya Ploshchad). Clinic Complex (22 Moskovsky pr., Vladimirskaya. 812/316-6272. Metro: Tekhnologichesky Institut). Medi (82 Nevsky pr., Vladimirskaya. 812/324-0021. Metro: Nevsky Prospect.) Nordmed (12/15 ul. Tverskaya, Liteiny/Smolny. 812/710-0401. Metro: Chernyshevskaya).

Hospitals & Clinics

Public medical facilities in St. Petersburg are poorly equipped. However, as with dentistry, private clinics, which offer a higher level of treatment, are proliferating. Several Russian clinics offer quality health services, but they rarely have English speakers available to assist you. In case of emergency, it's best to seek help from a Western-style clinic.

The American Medical Center is open weekdays 8:30 to 6, and offers 24-hour comprehensive care. The Clinic Complex has been around for years (formerly as the St. Petersburg Polyclinic No. 2); it's open weekdays 9-9, Saturday 9-3. The largest and most impressive clinic with an en-suite hospital is MEDEM, where multilingual staff can provide more than 2,000 medical tests and services. The clinic works 24 hours, and is certainly the best-equipped in town. The central Euromed clinic provides high-quality medical services and is recognized by all major European insurance companies. Another possibility in the same neighborhood is Emergency Medical Consulting, a European medical center. If you're unfortunate enough to be hospitalized while in St. Petersburg, you'll probably be placed in Hospital No. 20.

Clinics

American Medical Center (78 nab. Moiki, City Center. 812/740-2090. www.amcenters.com. Metro: Sennaya Ploshchad). Clinic Complex (22 Moskovsky pr., Vladimirskaya. 812/316-6272. Metro: Tekhnologichesky Institut). Emergency Medical Consulting (78 Moskosvky pr., Vladimirskaya. 812/325-0880. Metro: Frunzhenskaya). Euromed (60 Suvorovsky pr., Liteiny/Smolny. 812/327-0301. Metro: Nevsky Prospect). MEDEM International Clinic & Hospital (6 ul. Marata, Liteiny/Smolny. 812/336-3333. Metro: Mayakovskaya).

Hospital

Hospital No. 20 (21 ul. Gastello, Southern Suburbs. 812/708-4808 or 812/708-4066. Metro: Moskovskaya).

Pharmacies

You can find pharmacies all over St. Petersburg, and, unlike in the West, just about everything is available without a prescription. Most pharmacies close by 8 or 9 PM, though there are several dozen places operating round the clock. Below are a choice of late-night pharmacies.

Late-Night Pharmacies

Pervaya Pomoshch (First Aid, 27 Moskovsky pr., Vladimirskaya. 812/324-4400. Metro: Nevsky prospect). PetroFarm (22 Nevsky pr., City Center. 812/314-5401. Metro: Nevsky prospekt.) Natur Produkt (68 Sadovaya ul., Admiralteisky. 812/714-2024. Metro: Sennaya Ploshchad). Pharmacy Doctor (7 Liteiny pr., Liteiny/Smolny. 812/273-6135. Metro: Chernyshevskaya). Pharmacy MEDEM (6 ul. Marata, Liteiny/Smolny. 812/336-3333. Metro: Mayakovskaya). Pharmacy Doctor (61-building 3, Lesnoi pr., Vyborg Side. 812/245-7434. Metro: Lesnaya). Natur Produkt (47 Sredni pr., Vasilievsky Island. 812/327-0990).