Crime in BA

[Sleuth]

How long ago was that?

Within the last 3-4 months. They were selling their shop and apartment and leaving...

 

[BAwithkids]

We live in Belgrano in a 24-hour doorman building and never even double-lock the doors when we leave. Now, that being said, my wife would refuse to live in a non-doorman building or a single-family house anywhere in the city. There have been far too many stories of home robberies, both when people were away as well as when they were home. I know of one expat couple who left Buenos Aires after being held at gunpoint in their house in Palermo.

It definitely makes sense to take precautions here, but the level of those precautions depends a lot on your particular situation.

Thanks for your response. The place we're looking at is actually a house. Any recommendations for what might make a house more or less secure?

 

[Sleuth]

Thanks for your response. The place we're looking at is actually a house. Any recommendations for what might make a house more or less secure?

Let me start by saying that my wife is Argentine so she has a few more hangups than I do about our living accommodations which may be based on her growing up here and seeing things that I take for granted having lived in the States.

The obvious things are neighborhood, security, etc. Most places will have bars on the windows, motio-sensing lights, etc. The less obvious things involve trustworthy staff (housekeepers, maintenance people, etc.). Keeping things low-profile seem to be relatively important - i.e. if no one knows what you have, you are less of a target than someone who keeps cash at home, electronics, etc.

 

[fred mertz]

Our elderly doorman retired a few years ago. He didn´t have a cell phone or even a whistle. I always thought that if anyone wanted to get into the building, all that they had to do is come to the door with flowers and I bet the guy would let them in. I feel more secure without "security". It´s nice that the front door has to be opened with a key, not with someone buzzing them in.

 

[citygirl]

I agree with DaVe. I too live in a highrise with security and very rarely double-lock it. If someone is breaking in, it's going to be an inside job and they'll already have keys. They're not getting in & out of the building unnoticed. The staff doesn't buzz people in without my approval unless I've put them on the list and given my okay. Guest have to call up to the apartment and I buzz them in or tell the security guards to let them in.

If you're looking at a house - I would want to know that there are bars on the windows, a new lock on the door (you never know how many people had copies of the keys previously) and that the door was a security door to boot. Also I would want to make sure that the street had a decent amount of foot traffic at the least.

 

[ghost]

If you live in a house there will be a Guard house on the corner near by [they look like a Johnny On The Spot, thing] The guard will drop by and tell you what the monthly extortion is for his "Guard" services. Which aren't worth a shit because his operation is owned by some retired military guy who is good friends with the local Villa Chieftain. And they rotate guards on a shift and week end basis. Make sure your have no windows on the street side that are not covered with iron bars. If you have a garage, try to have a very fast electric opener. They catch you at this moment and they are in.
The safe is only good if you are out of the house. Because if you are home they simply stuff a gun in your wifes mouth and encourage you to open the safe [after they shoot your guard dog, simply to prove the point]
If you have a maid, make sure that she is a relative to or someone known to you or your friends. Otherwise they are well known for opening the doors to the folks that you don't want inside.
Bring pepper spray...the kind for bears.

 

[John.St]

If you live in a house there will be a Guard house on the corner near by [they look like a Johnny On The Spot, thing] The guard will drop by and tell you what the monthly extortion is for his "Guard" services. ...

What a stinking neighborhood you live in - move elsewhere.