Are the crimes in north coast increasing ?

[josh2203]

Guess that depends on where back home is. I was recently in NYC, and several other cities in the surrounding area- bars on all the windows in most areas. Then I was in Spain, France, and Italy- the same- bars on all the lower levels. Where I come from in Canada many people only lock their doors at night and only the liquor store has bars on the windows.

As I've never really been to the US (except 3 nights in Miami while traveling to the DR), I can only say what others have said, and based on that, many NA cities might be actually more dangerous than some places in the DR, and the three other places (apart from Canada) you list are southern European (and middlish European) countries.

I do know that in Germany some houses also carry metallic shutters in the first floors, but not all.

Where I come from (Northern Europe), my dad owns a big house 3 miles from the city center, he doesn't even have a proper lock (yes, it's a lock, but very simple and 50 years old) in the main door. All expensive garden machinery (lawn mower, car parts, tires etc. etc.) he has in a garage that doesn't even have a door (not built, not because it would be broken...). Has he been stolen something - never - and his family has had the house for 70 years. The city has a population of close to 200,000, so not the smallest village...

The first ever apartment we rented together with my wife (then-novia) was in a relatively good barrio, second floor. The construction was new, no bars in windows. I could not understand that she wanted to close the windows for night, said that we'll get robbed if they stay open. I didn' belive her back then... Having a pretty strong will, the windows stayed shut - always...

 

[josh2203]

The DR is a third world country. It should come as no surprise to anyone who is realistic, that this country experiences third world problems daily. Crime is no different here than at home. If you present a tempting target or put yourself into a compromised circumstance, you can expect some low-life to rise to the invitation eventually.

With all due respect, as I disagree with this just like the poster above, I think you contradict yourself here?

First you say that "this country experiences third world problems daily" so you acknowledge that there are these "third world problems" present, yet you say that "Crime is no different here than at home". To me, these two mean the opposites?

The term "eventually" is also interesting. I think the time span in the DR is much much shorter than "back home". Yes, you might encounter a "low-life" person back home as well, but you need to work more to find that. In a 3rd world country it's much easier... So here comes the difference as well, as to me, if the crime would be no different in the DR, the time span should be about the same...

 

[Bronxboy]

IMHO, DR is far more dangerous than the South BX in the 70's..................................

Today, it is walk in the park.

OK back to DR!!!!!

 

[web]

What really gets me is that the thieves somehow justify the crime. They think that oh well they are Gringo's they have money we don't, so it is Ok to rob them.

 

[bob saunders]

What really gets me is that the thieves somehow justify the crime. They think that oh well they are Gringo's they have money we don't, so it is Ok to rob them.

They rob their fellow Dominicans more often you just don't hear about it. A number of our teachers have had break ins or motos stolen, none recently...ie in the past year.

 

[GringoRubio]

What really gets me is that the thieves somehow justify the crime. They think that oh well they are Gringo's they have money we don't, so it is Ok to rob them.

Oh, I think the tigures are equal opportunity predators. Living in a poor Dominican barrio, they are definitely feared.

Simply put tigures are sociopaths. They don't care any more about their victims than a Dominicana wringing a chicken's neck.

My feminist friends blame this on the 'machismo' culture, but I'm not so sure. Young men have few opportunities and I find they are often raised without a male influence or given responsibilities. I'm still trying to puzzle out this area of the culture. I definitely don't understand it, but then I've never did hard labor for little money while my sisters are making $100 tricks in Sosua. It's easier to hang around the casa begging for scraps and becoming an opportunistic predator. There's a warping going on that is beyond my comprehension.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

Tom & Josh,

For sure "home" depends on where that is. My most recent NA home town surfers from a lot of the same problems I see here. You can get all liquored up and while walking home, you can get shot, stabbed, or just rolled for the change in your pocket, maybe your shoes and cell phone. I'm not saying that happens every time to everyone, as I have done it many times myself and have been just fine. I've done the same thing here in Sosua but I know where not to walk when the bars let out.*

Not a lot of bars on homes in Ottawa, but lots of alarm systems, big dogs. The Club House for the Hell's Angels being the exception but they are trying to keep out a very specific group of people. My exterior doors at home are all metal, both have lockable storm doors. Home invasions happen in Ottawa so we keep our doors locked. It's like having a safe and leaving the door open. You can if you want, but if there is ever a problem, having the door closed and locked makes more sense or whats the point? I am sure there are still people who close to leave their doors unlocked just as there are people who choose not to wear a seat belt.*

Anyone who engages in risky behavior or makes risky decisions is playing Russian Roulette here or at home. With every spin you have an 83% chance of being just fine. The more you spin the more opportunity for those odds to work themselves to the other side of the coin. *

My point is that a visitor to the DR needs to be just as aware here as back home, maybe more so. Unfortunately many visitors have pushed their safety to the back of their minds as they are on vacation, in a state of perpetual joy and don't recognize the specifics of what a threat looks like here. Scales of economy. Sure the guy in Baltimore complains when knocking over the 7-11 when he only get $50. Here, $50 is a significant score for many; As is your phone, your walk around jewelry, and your designer clothes. *

Real world example. *I was driving through Los Charmicos a couple of weeks ago just after dusk. A couple of guys leaning against a *building at the traffic light across from Caribe tours yelled that there was a problem with my moto. I pulled over about half a block further along to see what they were yelling about. I could see nothing wrong, but before I knew it, there they were right next to me telling me that my muffler was hot and that's not good for the tire...all the while sizing me up. I shouldn't have stopped but I didn't want to end up with my face planted on the pavement if there really was a serious mechanical problem. I spoke to them in Spanish, had no bling, am a big boy who was not going to be easy mark and I didn't let them get close enough to me or my moto for them to get hands on. Not sure what their intentions were, but their story of a problem with the moto turned out to be lame.*

You have to be careful, you never know when unpleasant things can or will happen. Foreigners are targets of opportunity here and elsewhere in the third world. The zebra runs away, it doesn't try to engage the lion in reasonable dialogue.*

 

[CristoRey]

Living in a poor Dominican barrio, they are definitely feared.

They are only feared in other barrios. I live around a few and I know a few. Would you believe
some of them have actually given me advice about areas of Santiago I should avoid at night?
I know one who?s barely 15 years old. I asked him once if he could find work that pays a decent
wage, would he stop living that lifestyle and his answer was yes. My barber refuses to cut this
same kid?s hair inside his house/ shop because their are other people looking to shoot the kid dead
over some of his past deeds.

 

[Fredo]

is crime increasing on the North Coast?
10/2016... In Cabarete Sosua area I would say no, crime has been decreasing idiots are arrested way faster and more fequent then before.

 

[zoomzx11]

No one really knows. In the DR there are few reliable statistics. *If you use good common sense and do not leave your home unattended you will be fine. It's not like Kansas where people have a fairly good idea of what is going on.*

 

[Casino127]

There is a lot of DR bandits leaving the US after jailing time to perform their old duties back home. Also DR is a turning point for drug distribution to Europe and North America. Local dealer get paid with white powder that they sell locally to kids. Now all the cartels from Mexico are well present ,as well as the bikers. Good luck, enjoy the beach ....

 

[fiocco]

Thanks all for sharing your point of view! Have a nice weekend!

 

[malko]

Guess that depends on where back home is. I was recently in NYC, and several other cities in the surrounding area- bars on all the windows in most areas. Then I was in Spain, France, and Italy- the same- bars on all the lower levels. Where I come from in Canada many people only lock their doors at night and only the liquor store has bars on the windows.
Here in the DR I have known thieves living behind me. Everyone knows the one uncle and grown sons are thieves. Often when there is a break-in the cops come by, take them away and give them a beating even if they are not guilty. I'm not overly concerned in my neighbourhood or most of the area where I live. Lots of good people living here and all the teenagers, young adults that are tigres are well-known and everybody keeps an eye on them.

Come on man ! Bars on windows in France !! Only in the worst slums !
30 years in France, never saw bars on windows......... unless u are confusing them with shutters

 

[Garyexpat]

I am not going to compare crime here to the states (I have lived here for the past 10+ years) except to say that in the states, unless things have changed, it matters a lot WHERE you are, as to your chances of running into problems. Here many of the tigres go to the nicer neighborhoods where there are more opportunities to apply their trade.
Has crime gotten worse since I have lived here? I say yes and I believe, like some have already stated, that it is due to drugs. The drugs had a much lesser effect when they just passed through here on the way to Europe and the states. Once locals started using them, especially getting addicted to Meth, things changed. Mindless crimes are committed for items of no or little value in order to score their next high.
Add this to the numbers of deportees every month and a rise in crime should be expected. (NO I am not saying all deportees are criminals or even bad people. I have some very good friends who are DP but some can not adjust to working a real job and earning in a month less than they used to earn in a night dealing in the states).

 

[fiocco]

Thanks GaryExpat for sharing Your Vision and point of view. May I ask in which area do you live? Thanks a lot.

 

[Garyexpat]

Thanks GaryExpat for sharing Your Vision and point of view. May I ask in which area do you live? Thanks a lot.

After spending 6 1/2 years in S.D. and then a few on the North Coast I am now happily living in Santiago.

 

[lifeisgreat]

North coast personally believe is better now then 6 yrs ago... *drugs & chicas = trouble ... ever since the crack down in sosua *seems less frequent visits from ladrones..*

 

[ramesses]

Funny thread.

 

[dv8]

some statistics from diario libre article regarding provinces with the most homicides:
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...micidios-en-la-republica-dominicana-GB5175945

NC provinces (from west to east) are: monte cristi, puerto plata, espaillat, maria trinidad sanchez, samana.

 

[wrecksum]

Come on man ! Bars on windows in France !! Only in the worst slums !
30 years in France, never saw bars on windows......... unless u are confusing them with shutters

Never had bars on the windows in France,Spain or Italy.
Maybe in some of the squalid areas but certainly not common.
I've only been in Sosua for around 6 years so it's not enough time to notice much change but I do get the impression that crime has increased recently but that's probably from this forum more than anywhere else.
We need some good false statistics..