Malta is deemed to be safer than most American cities, but its motorists – especially bus drivers – are deemed impatient and aggressive by US standards, a report by the US Overseas Security Advisory Council states.
US motorists visiting Malta are also advised to avoid low-lying areas during heavy rainstorms, due to the potential for flash floods. The report notes that Malta lacks a comprehensive sewer infrastructure to accommodate storm water runoff. Taxis are deemed safe but expensive.
The report describes the Maltese Police Force as suffering from limited resources: under-funded, under-staffed and poorly equipped. But the US crime watch body acknowledges that the force is reasonably well-trained, and generally performs its duties in a professional manner.
According to the report, response time to emergency calls can be 15 minutes or longer. While lamenting that most police are unarmed, it notes that in 2007 all officers were issued with pepper spray.
The threat of political violence against American interests in Malta is rated as low.
Malta’s “small” Muslim population is characterised as moderate, although “there may be a portion that is quietly sympathetic to extremist views.”
Moviment Graffitti also gets an indirect reference in the report which notes that “peaceful demonstrations by fringe groups opposed to US foreign policy objectives and the presence of US naval ships in Malta occasionally occur.”
The report notes that over the past few years, Russian affiliated criminal syndicates have established a small presence in Malta, assisted by Maltese nationals involved in human trafficking for the sex trade.
Durgs are deemed readily available to well-connected local and foreign residents, but less available to tourists.
Excessive alcohol consumption, poor crowd control and heavy handed tactics employed by bouncers at certain establishments in Paceville have led to incidents in which foreign visitors have been injured, the report notes.
Dark-skinned American tourists and visiting US navy personnel have been occasionally caught in racially motivated incidents and have been injured as a result.

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt