2 hours with my PN freinds. Lots of info.

DR Solar

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Nov 21, 2016
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As I've posted before, we have 3 PN living in an apt. on our property. We tend to keep an arms distance but we just spent over 2 hours talking about just about everything. We discussed many topics that are in many tread here on DR1. I don't know where to respond so I'll just start here. This is concerning the orders for the PN and some of what has gone on in their Sosua area.

1. Shots fired last week at the Playa Chiquita Casino. Someone grabbed the pistol from the PN and fired 5 shots at 2 PN that had vests on. Only 1 shot out of 5 hit the PN in the vest. A security guard tossed his shotgun to now unarmed PN he shot 4 times at the assailant. I/they don't know why the second PN did not respond properly. The shot count matches what I heard.

2. Traffic stops are on going. They are looking for weapons, drugs and proper vehicle ID along with drivers lic. They are NOT looking for gringos even thou they may not have papers. Cars and motos are being stopped and if not in compliance they do as instructed. BUT they are NOT targeting tourist.

3. The PN DID get a raise that amounted to a whole wopping.............. DOP $1,500. Not near what was reported they got. The "new motos" that I talked about in another thread were not theirs but borrowed.

4. One guy just had a hernia operation due to lifting moto bikes onto a truck. His PN Insurance covered the operation. His PN insurance does NOT cover drugs needed after such as for pain. We supplemented some.

5. They have NOT seen any increase in tourism in the POP, Sousa, Cabaret areas due to the cruise ships. None at all.

6. They see an increase in problems in La Mulata again. This area has a long history of problems.

7. Though they are not to single out Haitians, they have noted another increase. They watch as they do everyone, but not sure what to make of it or do at this time.

8. In the PN barracks? 32 guys in a room with stacked beds. One toilet/shower area. No kitchen. No TV. No personal space. I'll view for myself soon. No wonder they like it at my place. and...

... we have no problems anymore with people watching or trying to enter. The 3 PN are watching and with them coming/going at all hours they have a noted presents. After all, THEY live here too. I'm watching too and we all react to our dogs barking as we should. Not letting our guard down but I DO get a good nights sleep much more often.

That's it. ty.
 

DR Solar

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Nov 21, 2016
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An update. 8+ months later.

As stated above, we don't do much interaction with our PN guests. They have their lives and we have ours. That being said, we all have respected interaction at times and some fun conversation every now and then.

It's been about 9 months since we asked the 3 PN guys to use our guest house at the front gate. They come and go at all hours. They have other PN friends visit and at times... a lady. Rule is they go into the house and leave when done. Simple in and out. Never have seen anyone wondering around.

We talked the other evening and I was pleased with several topics.

1. They are still beyond thrilled at having not to live in the barracks. The apt. is fully functional and they really feel that it is their home.

2. They sometimes have a motorcycle or even a PN truck to take them to work and back. Most of the time they walk the 15 minutes. The whole community has noticed....

3. They have made friends all along the walk and in the beginning people worried and ran away... now have become respectful friends....

4. The people in the area have noticed a huge decrease in "others" hanging around and attempted entries to rob have gone to 0.

5. Our PN guys feel really good that they feel excepted and are part of our neighborhood.

My wife and I, and others, had real problems letting them into our place. As you can imagine hearing all sorts of stories about what the robbers leave behind the police take. Some may be true.

My wife and I think/feel that our having these PN that really are just hard working guys living here ...................................is one of the best things that we have done in 20 years. (Ya... we have "paid for gas and whatever before".)

No more do I have to get up in at night and shoot. No more dead dogs. No more "people" watching. No more others hanging around on the streets. A better neighborhood "feeling". No more thinking that the police are only out for money.... that they ARE real people too and they do respect others when they are respected.

My overall conclusion that our "experiment" has worked well looking at the PN relations that has transmitted to a whole group of people in our area. It is rather remarkable. Some have asked us if THEY can do the same but I tell them to talk to the guys and see if they have a fit. Some just want full time security and labor and that does NOT work. They have full time jobs and their hours often change.... and they ain't gonna cut your lawn or clean your pool.

Not for everyone to try or do. But it sure has been a wonderful learning, securing and making friends experience that I never expected.

:)