Here are 2 things that happened to me a few years ago.
The first one happened in december 1999. Every year, the students from the medicine faculty organize a party at the Arena, called Les Saturnales, packed with people mostly 18-26 years old, or something like that.
The evening was going quite well, had some drinks with the friends I was with, met a cute girl, and gave the keys of my car to my friends when they wanted to leave so I could continue the night with the girl. I'm dancing with her, the a young kid comes, trying to go close to her. I go in the middle, his arm touch mine, I gaze at him a few seconds, and turn around to continue dancing with the girl, the guy being behind me. There, I see a fist a few inches from my nose, and we fight (1st and so far last real one of my life, really not my kind) :(
After I crushed him (still don't know how, as I said I never fighted), and that 6 of his friends came and hit me with their foots, finally some people from security come. At that point there is only 1 thing I want, go back home, but the security guy tell me a taxi won't take me if I'm like that, that I've too much blood on my face (because of 1st hit on
the nose) and need to clean myself, so he takes me under the stage. There, as I wash my face, he told me there is an hole in my clothes. I put it up, and there is one in my chest, looks the guy had a knife...

Second one is much less dramatic, I bought a Peugeot 307, in 2003. I had it for like one week, and I go one evening in the "grottes" area, and park it in the street (where it was forbidden, but not really bad). When I come back 2 hours later, no more car. What happened is someone broke the windows to steal some stuff inside. The, the police removed the car, because they don't let a car with a broken window in the street. So at least, my car wasn't stolen...

But overall, I feel Geneva is a secure city, but obviouslysome nasty things may happen there too and you've to be careful.

Remy
RemyS, Jul 23, 2007 @ 13:32

Unfortunate stories so far... general violence and theft is usually 'opportune' and alcohol related...but what about 'Organised, premeditated SCAMS & ROBBERIES?' - This is what I'd like to share, to help prevent.

Anyone been conned? Spoken to and pick-pocketed? Been approached suspiciously? There's a lot of it going on in Geneva - So share a story if you have one...even if it's a 'friend of a friend' type story... Victims of scams are those that never saw it coming... I saw the 'punctured tyre' scam coming and avoided being robbed...hopefully that'll help someone else...what can YOU add that will help people be a bit more streetwise?
Deano1uk, Jul 23, 2007 @ 15:02

Was bbq'ing at my girldfriend's parent's place in Hermance yesterday, and her mother told me sometimes, people call, late, and if you answer say nothing, and hang up.
Was told it's quite common at that time of the year, they make that to know if you're at home or if they can come to empty it.
A decent solution looks quite easy, get an answering machine..
Remy
RemyS, Jul 23, 2007 @ 19:16

I have since delisted my phone number. Another thing that has happened is that soemone has actually come knocking on my door. When I answered the person just said "oh sorry, i got the wrong apt". When i told my concierge about it, he told me that this is a typical way burglars try to identify potential places to loot during the summer vacation season. FYI, i was living in a apt building with offices on the ground floor, so the door security system was disabled during the daytime.
tweety, Jul 23, 2007 @ 20:04

my good friend Ocin and I were very cleverly robbed on New Years Eve by the football/dancer method. We were quite drunk in the Pacquis and gave little thought to why one of a small group of several young guys were dancing and singing so close to us, before they all moved away. Immediately afterwards I sensed that my passport - which had been in my back pocket - was missing.

We followed them into an alley, something we might not have done when sober, because I was more than ready to pay a bribe to them to avoid the hassle of getting a new passport (personal administration being a particular bete-noir of mine).
It was only at this stage that Ocin realised that all the cash in his wallet had been taken - before it had been replaced in his pocket. This was, due to it being NYE, several hundred swissies (come on he's a flash bloke).
Eventually we got everything back, though bizarrely they ripped the cash in-half.
Even though I was four sheets to wind, I found this whole episode incredibly strange. These guys weren't evil, just robbing people for fun, because when confronted they didn't want any trouble. They certainly are persistant though. Several other people have told me that the same thing's happened to them and they were deprived of property.
Most recently it happened to a friend in the Old Town by Demi Lune. The police DO know about these guys but they quickly go to ground after they've made a score and so they're difficult to catch with their quarry.

The moral of the story (probably) ? - keep your valuables in your y-fronts at all times.

No. It's probably that you mustn't become too relaxed here....Geneva might not be as violent as other places you've been, but it's an international place with disparities of wealth like anwhere else.
billmc23, Jul 23, 2007 @ 20:55

One Saturday night, around 1 a.m., I was walking through Promenade du Lac (Jardin Anglais, near the fountain) with 2 friends. You know that you can always find groups of 3-4 teenagers sitting on the benches or walking around. One of them came out of the garden and started walking to us. We noticed and we must have shown some reaction because he turned around. There was a couple sitting some meters ahead. We passed them, they were notable drunk, kissing and laughing and the lady's purse was on the edge of the bench. We looked back and the same young guy who tried to come to us was crawling very quiet behind the bench and getting his hand into the purse. We started to shout out loud, the couple didn't understand what was happening because we were quite far at the moment, so they just continued with their things. The young guy retired but after 5 minutes he was doing the same thing again to the same people. I didn't know what to do because he was not alone and it was pretty close to my home.
These guys are always there so be careful!!!

jonatonp, Jul 24, 2007 @ 17:24

Near on 7 years, and have not been the victim of any type of crime, maybe growing up in a very dangerous neighbourhood has helped me here. The impression I get is that most of the time people have been victims of petty crime because they have been too careless, or too self secure and have made themselves targets.

I am always careful with where I keep my wallet on my person.
Never ever leave anything in plain sight in a locked unattended car, all thins of value are hidden out of sight.
Never ever would I dream of leaving my wallet in my jacket in a pile, or leave it unattended.
Also any body aproaching me who does not look like they have any business to, will get a very stern try anything and you'll be eating through a straw look from me (probably helps being 6'4'' and 95 kilos)
I always try and look like I know where I'm going (this has worked wonders in the 70 european cities I have travelled to)
I basically always try to look as though I have lived there my whole life.

I just don't know, I find it incredibly strange when I here of people getting their pockets picked twice in two weeks, or stuff like that.

Maybe we should hold workshops on helping people take down the "I'm a target" sign of their foreheads!!!!
DJ_Symcard, Jul 24, 2007 @ 22:35

Once in an extemely crowded bus my wallet was stolen (my fault for not being vigilant enough), another time in a locked fitting/changing room at a clothes store(put my handbag on the floor and the girls in the next changing room got my handbag by hooking my bag handle with a clothes hanger and slid the bag into their changing room - no solid walls in this changing room - you can see the feet of the ones next to you. I vaguely remembered the clatter of falling clothes hangers in the next room and some of those hangers sticking into my changing room but never thought of this possible type of modus operandi), and again on the tram (very fast - one short stop only !) - had a backpack type bag and really looked around to make sure no-one was behind me - the tram was not even crowded at all - have no idea how it happened so fast ! I've decided not to have these type of handbags anymore !
The good thing is that I always got a call from someone who found my empty handbag or empty wallet in restaurants near the "crime scene" with all my other papers intact (i.e. ID cards, sometimes my passport, bus pass, etc.).
Another - had been living in an apartment for almost 10 years. When I moved out, the new tenants got burglarized a couple of months later (the thieves broke the door during the daytime - apparently they had been observing the comings and goings of the new tenants even though the wife does not work and stays home most of the time) - and I had thought that the neighbourhood was one of the safest in Geneva as I never heard of any burglaries there during the 9+ years I lived there ...
We really have a false sense of security in Geneva and should be more vigilant and street smart (I'm a one to talk !). Don't carry too much cash and always have the telephone numbers of credit card companies/your bank handy as well as your credit card numbers in case you need to call immediately to cancel your cards and report theft. Keep cash and credit cards in two different places in your handbag. Also, if catching/waiting for one of the last buses from La Gare (or anywhere for that matter) alone late at night - keep moving/pacing around and looking around you - don't stand still in one place. I find when you keep moving and look alert, you are less approachable and less "targetable". Place another solid lock on your door at home (seems it is hard to break a door when there is a huge iron bar that locks your door from one end to the other) ...
Hope this helps ... and yes, be careful !

mgemma, Jul 25, 2007 @ 09:55

I'm not 6'4"...nor stupid for being a target twice in 2 weeks...But thanks for pointing that out! I'm also well travelled and grew up in a neighbourhood where even the dogs walked around in twos...I have two black belts from two different martial arts and I could put a group of 6'4's" on their arse in seconds... but this forum isn't about how great we are at not being a target... or highlighting the fact that victims should know better... it's about sharing stories to make people aware. If you want to start a forum on how hard a savvy people are... I'll add to it. The one good thing you did suggest was a workshop...you organise it...I'll support it. I know you're trying to help, deep down, but victims do feel very stupid and angry...often because the criminals are very clever, not just young chav opportunists. No doubt you've offended a few people by what you said... so I've added this comment to soften the blow... not making yourself look like a target and blending in a bit certainly helps mate, I agree totally, but it's not 100% bulletproof! Glad you've been lucky so far, hope it stays that way!
Deano1uk, Jul 25, 2007 @ 11:32

Got hassled by a very expert kung foo feet wielding youth as I drunkenly staggered out of CS at about 3 or 4 am, luckily I am not small and neither is my friend who was with me, so we quite quickly "repelled boarders", and walked off to the taxi rank.

As we were about to get in a taxi, a group of 5 or so came belting up the road and attacked us right in front of the 10 or so waiting taxis (who all immediately drove off for some paniced reason).

Anyway, after some more errant foot weilding (by them) and a few well placed punches and after throwing one over the last remaining taxi (probably why the others drove off)by us, we were left with one dazed and staggering youth (the others having been sensible or brave enough to run away when they realised we were not a push over) the police turned up...

since it was late, and I needed a pee, we decided not to press charges, seeing as we knew one of them at least had recieved a fairly decent beating,

Woke up in the morning with a cracked (maybe broken) thumb and little finger, probably occured whilst blocking the round house kicks. Sore pretty much all over for the next 3 or 4 days.

Top tip - dont stagger around cornavin alone at night looking for a taxi...if you have to be there, take a big friend.

2nd Top tip - if youre sooo drunk that instead of getting 100chf out of the bank for the taxi, you mistakenly get out 1000 euro, for gods sake try not to fall out of the bank telling your friends that you " appear to have won the lotto".

TOP TIP for Muggers : don't attack drunken rugby players...we like to fight!
Charlie, Jul 25, 2007 @ 14:19

For any body I offended, it was not my intention.

There are those that become victims of crime out of no fault of their own, and I accept that. What I was so poorly trying to say is that there are many people who, with out realising make themselves a target, either through being careless, or attention loss. All though a lot of these people are very clever and very experienced criminals, they do however look for easy targets.

I would gladly organise a worshop (invite local police) to offer some professional advise (from the coppers) on how we can make ourselves less of a target to these theifs.

Any takers say "AYE"

and for those that have truly deeply been offended and need some sort of professional help, well then If convinced of your pain, I will soothe it with a beer!!!

Simon
DJ_Symcard, Jul 25, 2007 @ 17:59

...takes balls to apologise, hat off to ya! Although I do still feel deeply hurt...I may need that beer!!


Deano1uk, Jul 25, 2007 @ 19:11

...Overall a happy ending...and a riveting read I might add, very funny...sorry about the old thumb though! Nice to think that a mugger woke up worse than you...that'll teach him, bastard! It's given me a thought though (as I'm still steeped in wanting revenge...) we could re-inact your situation, entise the muggers out of the shadows, then have some boys waiting in the wings for a good old shoeing! We tie them up in the stress position, call the police and insist that these 5 blokes tried to mug all 15 of us!! Or we could hire a Ford Transit and make it really interesting without the police...!! Ok...I need counselling!
Deano1uk, Jul 25, 2007 @ 19:26

Dean remind me not to short change you at the curry club tonight , not sure where I might wake up ..:-)
britabroad, Jul 25, 2007 @ 19:43

...is it just me or does Geneva seem to have more pikey looking people in it these days...

tut,

never thought I would see "dog on a rope beggars" here...

I blame Easyjet
Charlie, Jul 26, 2007 @ 15:32

specially hanging around the jardin anglais for the concerts at the moment, along with paquis. the whole walk back home was like a gauntlet of 15 year olds trying to win a staring contest with me...
G___, Jul 26, 2007 @ 16:14

I've been here for a year... arrived at the end of the summer last year!
I've always felt safe here, even more then I would at home and I come from a small town compared to here! :D
Anyway let me get to my point/question!
I've followed this thread and after reading the last few replies I start to think: This is not a new development, the city has not suddenly exploded with robbers!
I haven't noticed all the dodgey people till now, BUT is that cause it's Summer?
Do any of you have as many bad experiences in winter time?
Of course it's important to always be aware, but I imagine it's easier having Rubber on your business card at summertime.
DkXAuPair, Jul 26, 2007 @ 21:20

Rubber on business card?? Things exploding in the summer?? What's your question exactly, gorgeous? Have you just got in from a Scandie Party a bit tipsy??
Deano1uk, Jul 27, 2007 @ 00:48

I was rather wishing that "summer" would bring only the shorter skirts, I'm kind of worried about these new "exploding rubbers"...
Charlie, Jul 27, 2007 @ 11:21

and mean!... a nice young girl tries to join your thread and you pretend you can't understand her!
BTW: a personal safety workshop sounds like a great idea (particularly for me if I'm going to go round insulting big guys).
vivs, Jul 27, 2007 @ 12:38

... what's a rubber business card? Ok the exploding issue was a bit of fun (excellently backed up by Charles Charlie Charles...v funny...) but I was lost in the translation (did she mean 'robber'..??...I guess, but...anyway, let's move on)

Any more?
Deano1uk, Jul 27, 2007 @ 13:31

I think our Danske friend did mean "Robber"...


But I did have some cracking mental images of being turned over by a exploding rubber... and spent some valuable work time dreaming up the excuses and explanations for the bruises, lost wallet, and slippery clothes and lingering smell of "ky"...
Charlie, Jul 27, 2007 @ 13:46

I'll remember that next time I see you in Lady G ;D
Yes I believe I did mean Robber! I guess I should cut down on my ''funny'' word games... and for your information, it would have cracked people up in Denmark... ( maybe that says more about the people, rather then the ''joke'')
ANYWAY what I'm saying (and I actually think you did understand me) is: The crime gets worse during the summer, no? OR has the Geneva 'crime scene' suddenly REACHED A HIGHER LEVEL? (hope my new choice of words, suits the Gents better)
DkXAuPair, Jul 27, 2007 @ 14:28

...summer does seem to attract more of the abnormal people onto the street.

However the general concensus I'm getting is that Cornavin and Paquis is a potentially dangerous place at night these days.

I also heard about drunken youths setting fire to scooters in Eaux Vives, and the crime there, certainly against cars etc and handbag snatchings is on the up. I guess the Fete de Geneve attracts its fair share of undesirables.


Charlie, Jul 27, 2007 @ 17:10

Ok...now I get it... Not sure if summer is the main season for low-life pikey theiving gypsies, but it does seem the more obvious time of year! See you in the Lady G for some further exploding contraceptive jokes!
Deano1uk, Jul 27, 2007 @ 17:23

...and the balance of life and all things living...So I'm off out tonight to mug someone!!!
Deano1uk, Aug 3, 2007 @ 12:10

and if u need a lesson or two just holler
Sylph, Aug 3, 2007 @ 18:47

I wouldn't give Jeeves any bullets though :-)
Sylph, Aug 3, 2007 @ 19:04

...yes but I smile and the only weapon I use is my pen!
Deano1uk, Aug 3, 2007 @ 19:12