DR1 Paranoia?

[RHM]

I have about a week left in the DR before I get on a one-way plane ride back to Boston. Looking back, I can honestly say that there are many precautions I take these days that I never would have worried about 6 years ago.

Crime is one thing, violent crime is another. There's simply no reason to shoot someone for the cell-phone and/or wallet but it's happening more and more. The chief of police said that 68% of all DR crimes are committed with a gun. Life has become very cheap.

People don't have to be paranoid but you do have to be vigilant. Pay attention to everything and everyone and never, ever fully trust anyone. Sounds pessimistic but it's true. Be wary - especially if they wear a suit and fancy themselves a "professional." I was given the same advice when I moved here and I've let my guard down for very few people. Good choice.

* Personally, I was robbed once....2:30PM in Gazcue...one guy on a motorcycle ripped the chain right off my neck...very fast...I was lucky that was it.

RHM

[Bellamona]

Originally Posted by La Mariposa

That's the way I have learned the real game too. My house has been sold fast and at my price,thanks god. Almost 5 years later I still fill the psycological pain though

Just a comment based on my personal experience: I lived in Colombia for 2 years in the late 90's and never had a problem. I took public transportation from 5AM to 9PM 7 days a week. Here in the DR I was robbed on one occasion and attempted a second time (tiguere punched me in the face and knocked me down when he couldn't pull my bag off my shoulder). BUT I also lived in LA for 30 years and was carjacked at gun point among other things-very scary.

But the order in which I feel safe walking down the street would be:

LA
Bogota/Medellin
Santo Domingo

Not sure why, that's just how I feel, and again, simply based on my experiences.

[Bellamona]

looks like i picked up the wrong quote-sorry La Mariposa!

[laurajane]

If you are paranoid-delusional, we know who you are and what you want. Just stay online so we can trace your IP address.

[Bayx-**]

For a country where almost everyone owns an illegal Weapon, there isn't a bit of Paranoia. Isn't it ironic that most people who get rob or rip-off here are taken by the business people, the ones with a suit and a tie or just the average Dominicans? For a country where there isn’t any Law and Order, I find it pretty safe more like Heaven Safe!

[Bayx-**]

Originally Posted by Bellamona

Just a comment based on my personal experience: I lived in Colombia for 2 years in the late 90's and never had a problem. I took public transportation from 5AM to 9PM 7 days a week. Here in the DR I was robbed on one occasion and attempted a second time (tiguere punched me in the face and knocked me down when he couldn't pull my bag off my shoulder). BUT I also lived in LA for 30 years and was carjacked at gun point among other things-very scary.

But the order in which I feel safe walking down the street would be:

LA
Bogota/Medellin
Santo Domingo

Not sure why, that's just how I feel, and again, simply based on my experiences.

Sorry to hear
I on the other hand I have a very different experience.
I taken the public transportation for years and never had a problem.
I driven my vehicle numbers of times along, day and night, even got stop many time by police officer and never had a problem. I even used to give strangers a lift of course I don’t that anymore.

I guess I been lucky.

[jrhartley]

I didnt feel that safe in LA I suppose its what you get used to - not knowing the area I accidently went into a down and outs cafe for tea and refreshments- I did remark that the clientel were rather scruffy lol I only noticed what it was when I passed it again in daylight

[TeamIssy]

If I hadn't come to the DR before, researching on this site would have quickly talked my me out of going. I mean talking about having armed guards 24/7, carrying guns to leave the house, getting ripped off constantly because you are a gringo, being harassed by prostitutes constantly, and police corruption, either nonchalantly or exaggerating to the point that it seems like getting burglarized, having your boyfriend run off with a hooker/having your girlfreind seduced by a sankie, being short changed every time you make a transaction, having your credit card "duplicated" , bribing the police, and ensuring your hotel is fortified with heavy machine guns are just part of vacationing in the DR.
Now by no means am I trying to say that these things aren't real problems, the average person going on a vacation for a week in a touristy area only needs to be aware and alert. They don't need to be flamed or so scared that the opt to stay in a walled off AI compound or to just go to Hawaii.

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by TeamIssy

If I hadn't come to the DR before, researching on this site would have quickly talked my me out of going. I mean talking about having armed guards 24/7, carrying guns to leave the house, getting ripped off constantly because you are a gringo, being harassed by prostitutes constantly, and police corruption, either nonchalantly or exaggerating to the point that it seems like getting burglarized, having your boyfriend run off with a hooker/having your girlfreind seduced by a sankie, being short changed every time you make a transaction, having your credit card "duplicated" , bribing the police, and ensuring your hotel is fortified with heavy machine guns are just part of vacationing in the DR.
Now by no means am I trying to say that these things aren't real problems, the average person going on a vacation for a week in a touristy area only needs to be aware and alert. They don't need to be flamed or so scared that the opt to stay in a walled off AI compound or to just go to Hawaii.

There is a huge difference between being a tourist sequestered within the walls of a gated, guarded All-Inclusive and living here 24/7/365.

That being said, if I read about how to live in, say, the Bronx or Brooklyn, I'd prolly not visit the US either.

[jaguarbob]

live in SD and Samana...have no car and walk the city all the time,as well as publicos.Have only been ripped off once in city by street money exchange,when I FIRST LIVED HERE AND NEW NO BETTER.Now I am street smart,and Dominicans are great people as a whole...I actually have to be more observant in Las Terenas,as there are more tigres per capita than in city.I actually have a house in El Limon which is a quiet town,with not much trouble and go to LT only if necessary.
bob