WARDEN INFORMATION

Embassy Ankara Warden Message 15

October 4, 2005

Personal Security Self-Assessment Checklist

In several prior warden messages the U.S. Mission in Turkey recommended that people enhance their personal security without providing tips or suggestions on steps to take. This checklist is being sent to you as a generic self-assessment instrument to help you evaluate your daily habits and practices to improve your own security awareness.

Daily Security Habits and Practices

• Do you vary your times and routes to and from work?
• Do you keep your doors locked and windows closed (residence and vehicle)?
• Do you check the interior and exterior of your vehicle prior to getting into your vehicle? Look for things that are irregular or abnormal.
• Do you maintain a low personal profile by not doing anything that draws attention to yourself?
• Do you identify and report to local police, vehicles or persons possibly involved in surveillance of your activities?
• Are you alert to what is going on around you?
• Are your colleagues and family aware of your daily plans and do they know how to reach you?
• Schedules that are the most predictable leave you the most vulnerable. Be unpredictable when possible in both your work and social schedules.
• Always be aware of your surroundings. Report all suspicious activity to the local police.
• In traffic, always attempt to leave space in which to maneuver. Always leave yourself an exit. Be prepared to take evasive action at any time.
• Avoid choke points in travel. Be wary of diversions.
• If you are being followed or harassed by another driver, try to find the nearest police station, hotel, or other public facility to call the Police. Never lead the person back to your home or stop and get out.
• Whenever possible, do not have a set day for shopping, errands and personal needs. Be unpredictable.
• Never give out your personal information such as family member and household staff names, addresses and telephone numbers in an open setting.
• Ensure all of your family members are briefed on security measures.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90)(312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131. The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov 

The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Kaplicalar Mevkii Sokak No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102. Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate's website http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov

The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916, web site at http://adana.usconsulate.gov 

The U.S. Consulate in Izmir can be reached at (90)(232) 464-8755.