Keep an Eye Out for Trouble Ralf Ratayczak (German), finance manager, Procter & Gamble Operations, Polska SA:      Crime in Warsaw is turning into an important subject for P&G managment, because of increasing violence against people. It is possible to protect your possessions, but you are powerless against      personal violence. I have been living in Warsaw for 18 months, together with my family, and fortunately I haven't had any experiences of this kind.      The only bad adventure I went through was the theft of my car stereo. But to protect myself and my family at home, I equipped my house with several security features. We installed an automatic gate      which can be opened from the car. Secondly, we installed a lot of lamps and thirdly, we joined a security agency. But the most important thing is our dog: He loves the children, but detests any      strangers. With our dog we feel quite secure at home. Georges von Cronenburg (French-German), general director and marketing director, L'Oreal Polska:      For L'Oreal, crime in Warsaw is a serious problem. Ten company cars have been stolen, even though they were equipped with alarms and immobilizers. L'Oreal has taken several measures against car      theft: The staff is ordered to leave company cars only in guarded parking places, and to secure them additionally with mechanical systems such as wheel blocks. We also choose unostentatious models.      I don't understand those who are still using the most expensive.      I personally went through two very bad incidents. Thieves tried to burgle my home, and knocked down a wall. Fortunately, someone stopped them. The second time was an attempted car theft. Since      then, we do not feel totally secure. We have a permanent feeling that somebody is watching us. I distinguish among different forms of crime; the Polish situation is still very different from Russia, where      you can find rough highway robbers. I reject the polemic discussion of crime in Poland, even if the situation is worsening. The Polish are not more criminal than others, but the financial differences in      society are much greater than in West European countries. Compiled by Barbel Kistner Precautions Possible John Brady, marketing and sales manager, Phillip Morris Poland:      We installed an alarm system privately in our house. I hope it acts as a deterrent. We also have bars on the windows. We lock the car even when we're inside driving. We're aware that when my wife is      driving alone or with children it's possible she will be accosted at the traffic lights.      It's good to take different paths home when you come back from your office in the evening. It's also good when you can vary the time you usually leave your house. It's confusing for potential thieves      watching the house.      I would say a portable phone is also very convenient. You can make a phone call when you're involved in an accident or something bad happens.      Obviously, there are places where you shouldn't walk, particularly at night. When I advise people coming to Poland, I say, You have to take normal security precautions.      About Polish police, I think they have improved in the last four years in terms of their vehicles and their ability to respond to calls. Unfortunately, they don't speak any second language. Sometimes when      I'm stopped by police in Warsaw, they are always very friendly, though we can't communicate with each other.