Police in Cabarete

[bermyboy]

Hey everyone just posting a story about some scary and dangerous events that happened this past Saturday at Vista Del Caribe. I have an Uncle that has 3 nice house in the Vista Del Caribe area across from Coconut palms. This area has been subject to many robberies since last year.
Thi past Sat at around 4am my uncle heard the dogs going crazy so he went to investigate. He hid behind his car in the garage and watched as 2 men tried to enter his small apartment complex next door tohis house. He shouted out to them upon seeing him the 2 thieves shot at him they one ran towards him my uncle acted like he had a gun as the guy ran torwards him he noticed a bullet proof vest and the uniform of the policia national. The guy dropped to the ground then the 2 thieves retreated they fired more shots wich riccchet off the metal bars an hit my uncle in both feet so he was left there with 2 bullets 1 in each foot.His wife then called the police and explained what had happened when he had heard my uncle was shot and bleeding he told my uncles wife on the phone felicidades or congradulations and then hung up. After many tries to recontact the police the officer repeatedly hung up. After 1.5 hours the police from sosua came and then the police from Cabarete. My uncle sat there in his own blood for 1.5 hours they took him to Puerto Plat were the bullet was removed. My uncle returned home later that day and is in great shape but in pain.
Im writing this because i think people should know about this the police are going to far they were attempting to break in to his apartments and shot him the Police chief from Puerto Plata came to visit him but something has to be done this is getting ridiculous.

[CFA123]

bermyboy,
as has been proven previously, at times it is wise to not pursue 'the right thing' aggressively or to at least do so in a indirect manner. these guys have already shot at your uncle - they may not hesitate to do so again should they feel he is causing them too many problems.

make sure you're uncle's thinking about the possible ramifications of his 'in the open' pursuit of this issue.

[Squat]

We had that kind of things in Las Terrenas 2 years ago: Police assaulted various Gringo households. Afterwards, Police told the Gringo community that the thieves were wearing police uniforms, but were not police officer. No one believed it, of course...

[Berzin]

What exactly would happen to an expat(or a native dominican, for that matter) if he fatally shot someone trying to break into his house and the burglar was a police officer?

Has this ever happened before and if so, how was it covered by the media?

[Lambada]

In any cases involving police guilt in an offence where an expat is the intended victim, it is frequently wise to go very low key indeed, quietly use contacts who are powerful enough to be untouchable, or get a trusted investigative journalist from outside the country to look into it & stay out of it oneself, assuming one intends continuing as a resident. Don't necessarily rely on your Embassy to make waves. In any case 'waves' may not be advisable.

Bermyboy, if you have a business here, take some steps to protect it and your identity.

It isn't that one does nothing, one does something but quietly and judiciously in a way which puts one's own skin first.

[bermyboy]

hey guys thanks for the replies hes just lucky the bullets went in his feet and no where else
We both know nothing will come of this but i just wanted the story out there its very unfortunate but has not deterred me in the love i feel for this country and the people but its very hard to deal with the police i myself have had a few run ins with them nothing major just trying to get them to do thier job. But it will be interesting to see what happens in the end of this all but im sure nothing will come out of it untill they change all the pòlice in the area. But ive been coming here long enough to know that nothing will happen but we are thinking of the family and the ramifications like I said Im just telling the story so that us expats will be awre and careful as well but i still LOVE THE DR

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by bermyboy

But it will be interesting to see what happens in the end of this all but im sure nothing will come out of it untill they change all the pòlice in the area.

You, sir, are an optimist . They already do this. In fact they change north coast police particularly DNCD with monotonous regularity. Sometimes every 3 months.............for example last December the lot
Puerto Plata Digital
In April the Inspector Comandante
Puerto Plata Digital

You'll see that after 3 months in the position he was moved & the move is described as 'routine'.

Thank you for telling us about your uncle and I'm sure we all wish him a speedy recovery. Expats would generally be advised to have a good contact inside the police whom they trust, fairly high ranking. There are straight guys there, but it is getting harder to know who they are............ And of course, it takes time to build up really good contacts. In the absence of a 'good' contact have as little contact as is possible.

[laurapasinifan]

one of the biggest reasons i could never recomend to any of my family or freinds to buy land or property in the dr.

You just cannot expect any laws to protect you...you are gambling big time if you invest there. sure a large percentage do fine....but the odds are astronimical compared to countries that uphold the law, both on the street(via police ), and in the courts ( via the judges).

in the instance of this thread...the best advice seems to be ..shut up, get used to it and keep a low profile...........

The president has a full plate for sure

bob

[ben oregon]

i only see it on TV ,where some one wake up in the midle of the night to check on some noise euiped with a broom? if you are not prepare to face danger do not look for it instead stay put, in a safe spot and let it goes by and you will leave a very long life.

[La Mariposa]

Originally Posted by laurapasinifan

one of the biggest reasons i could never recomend to any of my family or freinds to buy land or property in the dr.

You just cannot expect any laws to protect you...you are gambling big time if you invest there. sure a large percentage do fine....but the odds are astronimical compared to countries that uphold the law, both on the street(via police ), and in the courts ( via the judges).

in the instance of this thread...the best advice seems to be ..shut up, get used to it and keep a low profile...........

The president has a full plate for sure

bob

Or do as I did last winter. I sold all the furnitures, car and house. I still love the D.R. but ...