What's the crime rate in general in the Panama City, Panama area of San Francisco?
Rainelda Mata-Kelly - Law Offices Rainelda Mata-Kelly
Yes, San Francisco is a safe area of Panama. It used to be mostly residential but with the years its commercial usage has increased. The Punta Pacifica area of San Francisco is one of the newer upscale neighborhoods. Just follow your basic safety principles (do not walk around with your handbag opened, specially in the mall!) and you should be fine.
Yes, San Francisco is a safe area of Panama. It used to be mostly residential but with the years its commercial usage has increased. The Punta Pacifica area of San Francisco is one of the newer upscale neighborhoods. Just follow your basic safety principles (do not walk around with your handbag opened, specially in the mall!) and you should be fine.
Posted October 31, 2013
Lourdes Townshend
Panamá has not rated crime lately with current statistics, but here and there, authorities give updates and the results are very promising. According to international organizations, Panamá is the safest country in the hemisphere. In San Francisco, as an important neighborhood of the city of Panamá (very modern and cosmopolitan), it is not unusual to once in a while hear police sirens at night or some case of drugs or a felony....
Panamá has not rated crime lately with current statistics, but here and there, authorities give updates and the results are very promising. According to international organizations, Panamá is the safest country in the hemisphere. In San Francisco, as an important neighborhood of the city of Panamá (very modern and cosmopolitan), it is not unusual to once in a while hear police sirens at night or some case of drugs or a felony. Anything better than that would be like living in "Alice in Wonderland"; better said, impossible.
Of course, like anywhere else, around the city of Panamá, there are "red zones", that you should learn to identify and avoid those areas.
Nevertheless, locals as well as visitors feel very safe walking in the streets and malls, especially if the visitor comes from some country in which violence and crime are very scary. Always precaution is a must, if you feel you have ended up in some isolated zone, or the neighborhood is not to the highest standards of safety.
Panamanians are very warm and friendly people, and are always on top of security, especially for visitors, and police have continuing training programs in order to maintain criminals under control.
There are also three additional groups of the police force, the presidential, tourism and young people, that take care of safety around the city, especially in our main park in San Francisco,. This neighborhood also has their own police station.
Posted January 25, 2014
Keila Mulero - Savvy Link
I agree with the previous comments but would like to add more into the answers. I currently live in San Francisco and love it. Lots of nice restaurants, bars, nice condos, and much more. But San Francisco is a big area. It does have an area, not mentioned before that you must avoid, Boca la Caja. Boca la Caja is a 'fishing community' located very close to Multi Plaza (the most luxurious mall). You can see some of the houses from 'Corredor Sur' on your way...
I agree with the previous comments but would like to add more into the answers. I currently live in San Francisco and love it. Lots of nice restaurants, bars, nice condos, and much more. But San Francisco is a big area. It does have an area, not mentioned before that you must avoid, Boca la Caja. Boca la Caja is a 'fishing community' located very close to Multi Plaza (the most luxurious mall). You can see some of the houses from 'Corredor Sur' on your way in or out Panama City. That's an area you should avoid.
There is another part of the same sector that is now divided by the construction of the Hospital Punta Pacifica and entrance to the Mall. You must avoid as well. There was a TV series 'The Hero' filmed in this neighborhood last June 2013. This side is not as dangerous as the fishing community side. Those areas are easy to identify by the poor infrastructure of the houses, and easy to avoid.
In general, I have never heard about any crime or violent act in San Francisco. What I just noticed in the last year or so, is foreigners mainly from Argentina "performing" at the traffic lights by the mall. I am more scared of them than anybody else. Panama City is safe, but like any place don't leave your personal belongings unattended. Just don't put yourself in a risky situation, because no matter in which country you are in, you may run into someone who can ruin your day.
Posted January 28, 2014
Nelson Vega
San Francisco is a very safe area of Panama City, Panama. However, during the last few months there has been a general perception that Panama City is losing the safety trademark that it used to have. It is now more common to see in the news that people got robbed or got into trouble, but if you go into more detail, I think those things happened in other parts of Panama City, and not in San Francisco. And the persons who got killed or were related to criminal activity,...
San Francisco is a very safe area of Panama City, Panama. However, during the last few months there has been a general perception that Panama City is losing the safety trademark that it used to have. It is now more common to see in the news that people got robbed or got into trouble, but if you go into more detail, I think those things happened in other parts of Panama City, and not in San Francisco. And the persons who got killed or were related to criminal activity, were people who were already involved in other crimes, such as drug dealing and were in “pandillas” or gangs. These things are not common in the San Francisco area of Panama City, so in general, San Francisco is a pretty safe place.
Posted October 22, 2014
Charles Conn - The Visitor
San Francisco is one of the more posh neighborhoods of Panama City. It is interesting because it is a mix of really cool businesses and residential areas. I don’t think there is crime there at all. Maybe there are random things, but you don’t hear about any crimes in San Francisco, even though it is right in the heart of Panama City. I cannot even remember when I last heard of a crime there. When you go to San Francisco in the daytime, it is...
San Francisco is one of the more posh neighborhoods of Panama City. It is interesting because it is a mix of really cool businesses and residential areas. I don’t think there is crime there at all. Maybe there are random things, but you don’t hear about any crimes in San Francisco, even though it is right in the heart of Panama City. I cannot even remember when I last heard of a crime there. When you go to San Francisco in the daytime, it is just bustling. There is a huge park there called Parque Omar (aerial view, pictured), which is one of the main places people go to exercise or where ladies walk their babies in strollers. There is a public library and food stalls that sell smoothies, fresh fruit and snacks. The park also plays host to a slew of cultural events, especially during the “summer” (dry season).
There is a lot of activity in San Francisco during the day. If you go to San Francisco at night, you are probably in your car on in a taxi, and you would never feel unsafe. I have never felt unsafe in that area of Panama City.
Posted February 16, 2015