[Rocky]

SUGGESTIONS

1) Learn the language

2) Learn to understand the Dominican culture, and be patient.

3) Avoid altercations as much as possible.

4) Leave the illusion that you are struggling to survive, financially speaking.

5) Secure your home premises.

6) Have tools with which to defend yourself

7) Have a defensive plan formed ahead of time.

8) Live in an area that is more secure than less.

9) Make friends with your neighbours, and look out for each other.

10) Exercise common sense.

Thieves do not like noise which alerts people in the vicinity and could cause them problems. Screaming is good, but most people just "freeze." My wife & I each always carry a "personal alarm" which gives off a 130 decibel scream (extremely loud!) when the cord is pulled. This scream persists until the 9v battery runs down (+-1/2hr) or until the shutoff probe is reinserted. These things are very small and easy to pocket. Physical confrontation of an attacker should be an absolutely last resort. Far better to scare him off....
I still have a number of these alarms and gift them to my friends.
If you are interested, PM me please. I am also prepared to visit houses on the north coast and suggest simple ways to upgrade security, based on my personal experience. If I can prevent only one robbery/attack, I'll be happy.
Originally posted by Canadian Bob.

Perimeter motion sensors are small systems that can easily be brought here from USA or Europe. Noise devices like Canadian Bob described. Big Bear Mace...those will knock a bear down, they will surely knock down a man. Dogs, Lighting, Guns, Self Defense (my friend Rob can drop a guy just by grabbing his collar bone...talk about pain). Knowing certain self defense items might just save your life.

Show your gun every once in a while. Just take it out in the neighborhood and make sure the workers, etc see it. If you have the space, fire it off from time to time.
Originally posted by Snuffy.

Something I do here in the states is always keep my car keys within reach. A quick push of the "panic button" on the door lock transmitter makes the car alarm go off. The more noise, the better...bad guys throughout the world fear two things: noise and light.
Originally posted by Cobraboy

Use epoxy glue to glue the jalousie glass slats into each metal slot that holds the glass. It does not take much glue. This makes it impossible to remove them without breaking them, which makes enough noise that should wake the watchman. Put a set of iron bars INSIDE each window. They won't rust & can't be jacked out. Even very small windows should be protected as ladrones sometimes use small children to gain access.
Originally posted by Canadian Bob.

I would highly recommend putting in bars on all of your windows and doors. The good herreros put a key lock in the doors as opposed to padlock so it's really not a pain at all to get in or out. I would also recommend using 5/8" steel. This should prevent all but the most hardened criminals from entering and if they still try the noise or your guard should alert you in time. If you want more info/prices for what I did to my home, pm me.
Originally posted by Chip

Keeping up the illusion that you are struggling financially isn't just about not wearing flash jewellery etc and other ostentatious displays of wealth. People do understand if you tell them that you sank your last cent in your nice house and now have difficulty managing day to day. You reinforce this when you go shopping by checking the price of everything, refusing the expensive imported cheese in favour of the cheaper local cheese etc etc. It's a mindset and there are hundreds of different ways of displaying it. Don't be seen in the same expensive restaurant every night, for two reasons - your movements may be being clocked and you don't want to appear predictable and secondly it will look like you are spending money without a care in the world. Check the bill when it comes, don't just pay it. Drive a functional but non-flashy vehicle.
Originally posted by Lambada.

OBSERVATIONS

Once inside, these scum become even more dangerous. All efforts must be made to scare them off before they have any chance to enter. Be aware that breakins can also happen during the day, sometimes by women, ostensibly looking for "work". Stay safe!
Originally posted by Canadian Bob.

There are people that just don't understand all of these issues. They're trying to move to DR and bring standards from elsewhere. As I said, whether through arrogance or ignorance, these people aren't ready to move (To the DR).
Originally posted by CFA123

TO BE CONSIDERED

How to be safe when walking.
How to be safe when driving.
How to be safe in your home.
How to handle a verbal confrontation.
If you have to fight.
Safety for your children.
This list originally posted by Snuffy