How to be safer in the DR - Compilation of tips by DR1 Members

[TOOBER_SDQ]

Originally Posted by mountainannie

"The DR, and I generalize, is a place where every house should have metal bars protecting windows and doors, a guard dog, an alarm system and a glock in the night stand. If you’ve made it okay in DR so far without these things, count yourself lucky."

I could never live with a gun in my house. Nor could I live with the sort of "armed camp" mentality that Toober evidently finds comfortable.

As a NYer, I feel perfectly safe here in the Capital. I have never felt threatened on the streets nor in just traveling about the countryside alone on public transport.

But, as others have so rightly posted. much of how you will fare here depends on your personal ability to adapt, to learn the language, understand the ways of the culture and to fit in.

I have generally found in life that you get back what you put out. And I have found that to be just as true here in the DR as it has been for me wherever I have traveled or lived.

Mountainannie,

With respect to guns and living in an “armed camp”, my ideology is the same as yours. I do not like guns and I never have. However, I do not let this ideology and general dislike for guns cloud my decision process; I have a responsibility for the safety of the people I love.

And although your advice of “adapting, learning the language, and understanding the ways of the culture” gives me a warm tingly feeling all over and makes me want to sing “Koom-By-Ya” from the mountaintop, it will hardly help you against an armed intruder with intentions to do you harm. Your mastery of the language and understanding of the culture will not prevent you from being a piñata.

If you recall, not long ago I reported on this board an attempted robbery in your neighborhood of Gazcue. The intruder bashed the skull of a young man with a baseball bat until he was bloody and unconscious. The perpetrator escaped and the police were useless.

In a city where the police are unreliable and desperate people have nothing to lose, yes I do feel more comfortable in my “armed camp”, for my own sake and the sake of those that entrust me to protect them.

[linmagic]

Having lived in South Africa for 25 years, back to visit 6 times in the last few years, I can only say that being aware of your surroundings and being careful are second nature to me. From about ten years ago, we never walked anywhere and definitely don't now and I mean - anywhere! I carried a gun for 5 years and very reluctantly gave it up to come to the UK. I have no problem with people owning or carrying guns for their and their family's safety. I think the saying originated in the US, "if guns were outlawed, only outlaws would carry guns" - and I second that! If you are gun-aware, there is no reason not to carry a gun and that should be a personal decision and really not open to criticism by none gun carrying people. That is just my opinion.

If we had to compare the crime in DR to that in South Africa, I would tell you right now, there is no comparison. Having lived in a country where you can be killed for the change in your pocket, I can only say that living in fear is not an option but openly courting danger is just foolish. Knowing where to go and not to go should be learned early on, going out at night in any unknown area is to be avoided and this would go for any large city.

We are quite prepared for the trade-off of a good life-style with the balance of the "negative" aspects but quite honestly, I think we could go into any major city in the world and be in as much danger as we could in DR. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong here, after all, we haven't been to DR and our research has so far been cyber-based.

Lin

[windeguy]

Lin, I have friends that reside in the US where the wife is from South Africa. She described how dangerous it is there. The DR is not nearly that dangerous.

[Lambada]

My friend from Durban, South Africa has been over to stay with us a number of times both 14 years ago when the DR crime level was far below what it is now and again 3 years ago. Her reaction 3 years ago on seeing my other half's spare set of golf clubs in the car port behind his vehicle and up against the house wall, was 'do you leave them there overnight? And they haven't been stolen yet?' (where we live you can do this). 14 years ago when we lived in the centre of town I couldn't get her to even go to the Amber Museum across the road without me, because she brought with her her knowledge of what could happen in Durban. So I would concur with windeguy, the 2 places are very different. I was told in Durban it would not be sensible to pull up at a traffic light in the daytime with the car window open, for example. When you visit or move to the DR linmagic, take a look at how many car windows are open.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by Lambada

I was told in Durban it would not be sensible to pull up at a traffic light in the daytime with the car window open, for example. .

I know two people who have had bags and phones snatched through open car windows at traffic lights

No, not here in the DR, in England!

[AlterEgo]

My husband's brother stopped at a traffic light in SD with the window open - and someone reached in and yanked the gold chain from his neck. It happened so fast that by the time he reacted the thief was on the run. Since then we always run the a/c and keep the windows closed, even on nice days.

[linmagic]

We are very glad to hear that DR is nowhere near as bad as SA, am not sure country wise, anywhere else not in Africa is on a par which is very sad.

I agree that in the UK right now there is mounting crime especially in some of the "challenging" areas of the country. I am still uncomfortable with my windows open, always hook my handbag around the gear lever on the floor and not on the seat and am still "scanning" for potential trouble. Even after 12 years in the UK, I am not out of these habits!

I'm not suprised your "Durban" lady was surprised by the leaving outside of the golf clubs, that would be totally unheard of anywhere in SA. I was brought up just outside Durban and while it is the most beautiful country, I wouldn't leave things I didn't even want outside!

I will miss wearing my "bling" (blame the kids for that one) when going out but it's a small price to pay for not being a victim.

Lin

[bombers85]

I'm new around here and I read a lot of eye opening stuff. Thanks for the thread.

Based on all of the info in this thread, it really surprises me that there aren't more readily available websites/companies that provide drivers/translators to people traveling to the DR. It seems like the natural progression that would help keep us gringos from going to the wrong place or saying/doing the wrong thing. If these services or companies exist, I'm sure not finding them on google very easily.

I haven't been to the DR yet but I'm looking to go in the coming weeks to apply for residency so this thread was a helpful reminder to keep my eyes open.

[RUBIO4U]

There are many Dominicans and ex-pats as well with excellent reputations who have served us ex-pats and visitors well. I know of quite a few and I know that many of you others do. I see all the time, fellow ex-pats at the airport waiting to pick up friends and associates and we exchange pleasantries. I also see the usual professional Dominicans as they also wait to pick up visitors. The question is this? Why aren't we sharing them with others that do not have or know them? If anyone would like a recommendation for any of this type of information, feel free to contact me.