Received today in my email:
Security Message to U.S. Citizens: Driving Alert
This Security Message is to alert U.S. citizens to recent crimes on the road between Boca Chica and Juan Dolio. We advise you to take precautionary measures and avoid traveling this stretch of road, particularly during darkness hours.
In one incident, a minivan was taking airline employees to a hotel in Juan Dolio from the airport. A white Lexus SUV posing as a police vehicle with flashing blue lights attempted to stop the minivan by racing alongside it, yelling, and shining a spotlight on the minivan. The minivan sped up to avoid an encounter and eventually the SUV turned around and headed in the opposite direction. Police do not normally conduct stops from a vehicle as U.S. police would do. Instead, they will set up check points with several police officers, and will indicate for you to stop.
In a separate incident, a driver was changing a flat tire on his vehicle when an SUV pulled behind him and the occupants attempted to rob him. The victim attempted to draw a weapon to defend himself and was shot and killed at the scene. His weapon and cellular phone were the only things taken.
Vary your times and routes to and from work
Keep your doors locked and windows closed (residence and vehicle)
Check the interior and exterior of your vehicle prior to getting into your vehicle. Look for things that are irregular or abnormal.
Be unpredictable when possible in both your work and social schedules.
Always be aware of your surroundings.
In traffic, always attempt to leave space in which to maneuver. Always leave yourself an exit. Be prepared to take evasive action at any time.
Avoid choke points in travel. Be wary of diversions.
If you are being followed or harassed by another driver, try to find the nearest police station, hotel, or other public facility to call the Police. Never lead the person back to your home or stop and get out.
Whenever possible, do not have a set day for shopping, errands and personal needs. Be unpredictable.
Public transportation vehicles such as the route taxis (“carros publicos”) and urban buses (“guaguas”) are unsafe and should not be used.
U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Worldwide Caution and other consular information, including Country Specific Information, for specific countries. These products and the latest international travel information for U.S. citizens are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.
For any emergencies involving American citizens in the Dominican Republic, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy. The Consular Section Embassy is located at the corner of Cesar Nicolas Penson Street and M?ximo G?mez Avenue, Santo Domingo, D.R.; telephone 809-221-2171; e-mail acssantodom@state.gov. For more information, visit our web page http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov.
Security Message to U.S. Citizens: Driving Alert
This Security Message is to alert U.S. citizens to recent crimes on the road between Boca Chica and Juan Dolio. We advise you to take precautionary measures and avoid traveling this stretch of road, particularly during darkness hours.
In one incident, a minivan was taking airline employees to a hotel in Juan Dolio from the airport. A white Lexus SUV posing as a police vehicle with flashing blue lights attempted to stop the minivan by racing alongside it, yelling, and shining a spotlight on the minivan. The minivan sped up to avoid an encounter and eventually the SUV turned around and headed in the opposite direction. Police do not normally conduct stops from a vehicle as U.S. police would do. Instead, they will set up check points with several police officers, and will indicate for you to stop.
In a separate incident, a driver was changing a flat tire on his vehicle when an SUV pulled behind him and the occupants attempted to rob him. The victim attempted to draw a weapon to defend himself and was shot and killed at the scene. His weapon and cellular phone were the only things taken.
Vary your times and routes to and from work
Keep your doors locked and windows closed (residence and vehicle)
Check the interior and exterior of your vehicle prior to getting into your vehicle. Look for things that are irregular or abnormal.
Be unpredictable when possible in both your work and social schedules.
Always be aware of your surroundings.
In traffic, always attempt to leave space in which to maneuver. Always leave yourself an exit. Be prepared to take evasive action at any time.
Avoid choke points in travel. Be wary of diversions.
If you are being followed or harassed by another driver, try to find the nearest police station, hotel, or other public facility to call the Police. Never lead the person back to your home or stop and get out.
Whenever possible, do not have a set day for shopping, errands and personal needs. Be unpredictable.
Public transportation vehicles such as the route taxis (“carros publicos”) and urban buses (“guaguas”) are unsafe and should not be used.
U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Worldwide Caution and other consular information, including Country Specific Information, for specific countries. These products and the latest international travel information for U.S. citizens are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.
For any emergencies involving American citizens in the Dominican Republic, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy. The Consular Section Embassy is located at the corner of Cesar Nicolas Penson Street and M?ximo G?mez Avenue, Santo Domingo, D.R.; telephone 809-221-2171; e-mail acssantodom@state.gov. For more information, visit our web page http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov.
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