Crime in Santo Domingo

[ju10prd]

Not so many people are coming up with first hand experiences in Santo Domingo as the OP requested and that doesn't surprise me.

Yes crime is here and it is quite brutal most times. But it tends to be restricted to the poorer barrios and when it does touch people on the better areas it does get a lot of publicity.

Most foreigners will be found in the ZC and Gascue areas where incidentally there is a larger security presence plus CESTUR and the stories in those areas are few and far between and the last one I recall was with the choo choo train some months back and that was clouded with conflicting stories. Not bad when you consider the numbers of tourists who bus and ship in to that area day by day. Have we heard of tourist who walk down from the cruise liner terminal and across the floating bridge and into ZC? I don't think so and if you see the policing present all along that route it is no surprise and tourists bring the need for good security.

Go a bit north of ZC and you enter into areas where more caution is needed but if you know your surroundings and are aware you should be OK. Imo Av. Duarte and the adjacent streets is one of the dodgiest commercial areas in the city. Not for the faint hearted and a word of caution for newbies who take the buses which depart nearby on Barahona.

At night those areas are a different kettle of fish. After Conde closes down it doesn't feel so safe and Dominicans will tell you of plenty of examples of petty crime affecting them in the area of the Malecon just down from ZC. Again caution and awareness is the rule.

The other foreigners who have made a life within other parts of the city will quickly get to know their surroundings and adapt routines accordingly.

I live in an area of middle class houses and few apartments but backing onto Independencia which is bustling with activity and home to hawkers and the less well off. In the street where I live there are two French families and we were touched by a serious event widely publicized in the press just two doors away from me whereby a journalist got robbed by two guys on a motorbike who attacked him with a gun as he was entering his property. It happens but I honestly feel safer here than I did when living in the campo north of the city (it was reported last week that the police had shot and killed several young men known for delinquency in that general area nearby Villa Altagracia). Drugs is a real problem in the campo and the poorer barrios in the city. I'm on Independencia virtually every day and I do see foreigners every day going about there business. We've adapted but will always be at risk.

Stories like the detailed one posted by The Professor the other day really do have value to readers who plan to visit the city so should be encouraged as cautionary tales about what to be aware of. But not for the purpose of running DR down.

 

[ju10prd]

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...de-ciudadanos-en-justicia-y-policia-GF6654558

Here is an article today in Diario Libre about a study undertaken by citizens into the cause, solutions and responsibilities to tackle the delinquency and violence in Santo Domingo.

 

[RDKNIGHT]

It didn't bite the dust. It bit the dust when the OP was crafted.

The issue in Santo Domingo is crime against all the citizens and there is in reality very little that affects foreigners because we are so few percentage wise in the city.

Crime committed against those of us that live here with loved ones and the innocent ones such as the lady this past Monday dropping kids at school is an example of the issue and it should not be a vehicle for someone who by past record is looking for any excuse to run down the DR and security.

He needs to read the local media day in day out to grasp the issues and if he doesn't like it move on.

The citizens of the city are far from happy about the current insecurity and are lobbying hard. The government appears to be listening and there are some noticeable changes around. We all want more but this is not like back home.

Fact is that even if you live in a city in a developed nation, insecurity is an issue even with well established security and police operations.

Santo Domingo is a big urban area with poverty next to riches and so policing becomes so much harder. The real crime stories and solutions lie with those that live here day to day and run the risks. Those expats visiting need to be made aware that it is not like home and ignore wayward advice.

, Yes it was horrible they killed the poor lady right in the middle of the street in day light hours but lets not forgot the police had the trash in custody in less than a day ... these types crimes happen everywhere..... I still love SDQ .... never had no prolbems

 

[peep2]

I had a hooker snatch some money out of my back pocket once in Boca Chica. My own fault. I keep my wallet in my front pocket and had forgotten I even had money in my back pocket. I grabbed her wrist and she dropped most of it before running off. We had fun chasing the hookers around for a while and then headed to the casino. This was over 20 years ago. I have since married a wonderful Dominican woman and she has kept me safe and out of trouble ever since.

 

[TropicalPaul]

They are now installing new street lights everywhere in the Colonial Zone, and also right along the entire Malecon. These are LED and have solar chargers and they are incredibly bright. I have certainly seen a lot more people using the Malecon at night with the new lights, they definitely make you feel safer. One of the best ways to solve problems of mugging is to get more people to be present in the streets. So by encouraging people to use the streets more, because they feel safe, the authorities are actually making the streets safer as the muggers rely on deserted streets.

Personally I think you need to watch your step in Santo Domingo, but it's no more dangerous than a poorer area of any city in Europe or the US.

 

[william webster]

Although not a Sto Dom incident, it can be applied to any Gringo anywhere in RD.

Years ago when I was newish here, I was out too late, having too much fun and wandered off the 'beaten path'.
I found myself at a gathering of all Dominicans..... literally 100% except me.
Being new and making the fatal mistake of thinking I was doing fine, must have weakened my protective senses.

A fellow I knew from the beach - waiter, server, cook , something came to me and advised me in the strongest terms to leave and leave now!.
I did.

What the problem was I never knew but I think leaving was a good move.

One cannot exercise enough caution if out at night.

Perhaps this story more parallels the ATM attempted robbery incident but I hope it helps somebody.

 

[TropicalPaul]

I only know two expats here (who I work with), everyone else I know is Dominican. I think you are far safer hanging around with Dominicans than hanging around with expats to be honest. I know there are plenty of Dominicans who watch out for me and would come and help me if I needed it.

I've never quite understood the point of coming to live in another country, not bothering to learn the language, hanging around with people from your own country and spending all day bitching about the locals. Just my opinion.

 

[ju10prd]

A few opinions of those living in Santo Domingo can be found in an article below in Diario Libre this morning (you need to understand Spanish to understand the comments but the headline summary is translated below:

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...an-para-otro-lado-ante-delincuencia-XY6661606

SANTO DOMINGO. Shaken by the climate of robberies and violence that has been unleashed in the country, citizens consulted about his opinion about the reality of public security claimed that far from cope authorities have opted to turn the gaze to organized crime.
In addition, respondents answered the question about do if it has escaped from the hands of the authorities of crime control? The majority said that the form is "worrying" in how this scourge has expanded throughout the country and to all times.

 

[william webster]

I only know two expats here (who I work with), everyone else I know is Dominican. I think you are far safer hanging around with Dominicans than hanging around with expats to be honest. I know there are plenty of Dominicans who watch out for me and would come and help me if I needed it.

I've never quite understood the point of coming to live in another country, not bothering to learn the language, hanging around with people from your own country and spending all day bitching about the locals. Just my opinion.

I don't disagree.
I was just pointing out that there are dangerous places when you are in over your head - as I was 

These days , I'm a bit more fluid in local groups.
That doesn't mean the guard comes down.

To me, that's the lesson 

 

[southern]

I only know two expats here (who I work with), everyone else I know is Dominican. I think you are far safer hanging around with Dominicans than hanging around with expats to be honest. I know there are plenty of Dominicans who watch out for me and would come and help me if I needed it.

I've never quite understood the point of coming to live in another country, not bothering to learn the language, hanging around with people from your own country and spending all day bitching about the locals. Just my opinion.

Usually people do not socialize outside of thier status or education level. There are of course exceptions as in common interests , baseball, cars etc. However it is unlikely you will find a retired businessman, college professor or x military attaché sitting on a plastic chair playing domino's and yelling cono.

 

[william webster]

Don't get me wrong Tropical Paul,
but it can be dangerous to swing the pendulum too far the other way.

Balance is a good thing......all the time.
'Going Native' is a popular option with some...... as we all know.
Each to his/her own

Just saying......

 

[TropicalPaul]

I don't want to go too off topic, but I did a lot of research into Dominican Republic before I came here, I liked Cuba but it didn't tick as many boxes as Dom Rep. I never ever spent any degree of time with expats, even when I first moved here and only spoke basic Spanish, my aim was always to live in a different culture. I've never really understood the idea of some people on this forum that they come to DR, say they can't learn the language and then spend all their time hanging around with people from their own country, trying to work out how to buy things they had at home and talking about Dominicans as though they are some sub-species. I completely disagree with the idea that most people only have friends from their own socio economic background. I'm a Cambridge graduate with quite a lot of money and my two best friends don't have higher education qualifications nor very much money. I guess I make friends with people based on who they are, not on what they've got.

And regarding safety, yes Santo Domingo is a poorer city to London where I come from, but I think that if you are hanging around with locals, you are not such a target. If you can speak the language this also helps you to understand the place a lot better, and to feel safer. Dominicans are constantly telling me "don't go there, don't do that, be careful if you park there, don't leave that bag there and so on" and through listening to their advice, I've managed to keep safe. Finally, I think that if you are going to live here as a foreigner, you have to understand that we have so much more than most people here, and there will be those who try to take things away. When things get stolen or when someone tries to defraud you, you have to get over it quickly. It's happened to me several times, but I console myself by thinking that the person who took what I had probably needed it more than I did, and then move on.

 

[ju10prd]

Usually people do not socialize outside of thier status or education level. There are of course exceptions as in common interests , baseball, cars etc. However it is unlikely you will find a retired businessman, college professor or x military attaché sitting on a plastic chair playing domino's and yelling cono.

A valid comment perhaps elsewhere but this thread is about Santo Domingo. So if one excludes those areas that house those who visit as tourists, namely Zona Colonial and Gascue, other foreigners here are for the most part working, short or long term, or otherwise living with their partners in various suburbs and in most cases away from other foreigners. Consequently many are often socializing with Dominicans with whom they work or who are family or friends of family. It is after all the business, governmental and commercial capital of the country with a broad range of foreign nationals.

The probability of those foreigners encountering crime is thus diminished in comparison with foreigners in resort zones for example. And this in part can be explained because the Dominicans with whom those living in Santo Domingo mix, are equally conscious of the current crime risks and have adopted their behavior accordingly too. In resort zones foreigners are more likely to be retired or enjoying the Caribbean s/fun and are more likely to interact with opportunists and less well off Dominicans and so the risk increases.

The low statistics in relation to foreigners being the subject of crimes in Santo Domingo support this generalization.

 

[southern]

I don't want to go too off topic, but I did a lot of research into Dominican Republic before I came here, I liked Cuba but it didn't tick as many boxes as Dom Rep. I never ever spent any degree of time with expats, even when I first moved here and only spoke basic Spanish, my aim was always to live in a different culture. I've never really understood the idea of some people on this forum that they come to DR, say they can't learn the language and then spend all their time hanging around with people from their own country, trying to work out how to buy things they had at home and talking about Dominicans as though they are some sub-species. I completely disagree with the idea that most people only have friends from their own socio economic background. I'm a Cambridge graduate with quite a lot of money and my two best friends don't have higher education qualifications nor very much money. I guess I make friends with people based on who they are, not on what they've got.

And regarding safety, yes Santo Domingo is a poorer city to London where I come from, but I think that if you are hanging around with locals, you are not such a target. If you can speak the language this also helps you to understand the place a lot better, and to feel safer. Dominicans are constantly telling me "don't go there, don't do that, be careful if you park there, don't leave that bag there and so on" and through listening to their advice, I've managed to keep safe. Finally, I think that if you are going to live here as a foreigner, you have to understand that we have so much more than most people here, and there will be those who try to take things away. When things get stolen or when someone tries to defraud you, you have to get over it quickly. It's happened to me several times, but I console myself by thinking that the person who took what I had probably needed it more than I did, and then move on.

By and large , weather you live here as an x-pat or work here. Most people tend to socialize with people of their own social class, especially Dominicans. I understand the concept of no one is better than anyone else, however when discussing agriculture engineering at a cocktail party in Santiago I don't invite my chica from Sosua or my bartender friend. You are the consimite humanitarian, my patients for socializing with the peasant class is short, unless of course you look good on high heels and a tight skirt, than I will watch and talk about the mind numbing telenovelas.

 

[TropicalPaul]

By and large , weather you live here as an x-pat or work here. Most people tend to socialize with people of their own social class, especially Dominicans. I understand the concept of no one is better than anyone else, however when discussing agriculture engineering at a cocktail party in Santiago I don't invite my chica from Sosua or my bartender friend. You are the consimite humanitarian, my patients for socializing with the peasant class is short, unless of course you look good on high heels and a tight skirt, than I will watch and talk about the mind numbing telenovelas.

Goodness, you refer to others as the "peasant class" but you seem to have quite atrocious grammar yourself so I wonder if you are indeed a peasant yourself. "Consummate", not "consimite", "whether" you live here, not "weather", "ex-pat" not x-pat and you are intending to say "my patience" not "patients". People who live in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones as the expression goes.

 

[bob saunders]

Goodness, you refer to others as the "peasant class" but you seem to have quite atrocious grammar yourself so I wonder if you are indeed a peasant yourself. "Consummate", not "consimite", "whether" you live here, not "weather", "ex-pat" not x-pat and you are intending to say "my patience" not "patients". People who live in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones as the expression goes.

I agree, however I have worked with several brilliant electronic engineers that were experts in their field but atrocious spellers. Many people in a hurry spell words incorrectly.
I think the best way to stay safe is to not talk about what you have in terms of money or personal belongings. Even with friends you have to be careful because friends talk to other people that are not looking after your best interests. It has been hard for me to develop these habits because I am naturally an open and trusting person. I take my council from my wife and MIL or both understand their fellow Dominicans better than I.

 

[southern]

Goodness, you refer to others as the "peasant class" but you seem to have quite atrocious grammar yourself so I wonder if you are indeed a peasant yourself. "Consummate", not "consimite", "whether" you live here, not "weather", "ex-pat" not x-pat and you are intending to say "my patience" not "patients". People who live in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones as the expression goes.

Yea , you're right you are a genius and I can't spell, especially when I am on a 3 x 6 smart phone. Go ahead bloke and mingle with the masses and save Santo Domingo from all that is bad. You truly have the "patience" of Gandhi and the naivete of , well some bloke from Hackney. Peace be with you..or is it piece...lol

 

[LTSteve]

Lets talk about each ones experience with being victim of crime in Santo Domingo. Please everyone share your stories and lets make an effort to bring to light some of the problems that exist. Possible solutions and ways we can avoid becoming victims.

This is true in any major city anywhere in the world. When you have many that have nothing and nothing to loose than a dangerous scenario has been created. In the DR "they want" what you have. Use common sense, know your surroundings and be sensible. These could save you from a situation. If that doesn't help carry a stungun. It could be your best friend. Remember your bible and do unto others before they do it to you. Think defensively.

 

[Mcinbrass]

If that doesn't help carry a stungun. It could be your best friend.

I like this idea!

 

[LTSteve]

I don't want to go too off topic, but I did a lot of research into Dominican Republic before I came here, I liked Cuba but it didn't tick as many boxes as Dom Rep. I never ever spent any degree of time with expats, even when I first moved here and only spoke basic Spanish, my aim was always to live in a different culture. I've never really understood the idea of some people on this forum that they come to DR, say they can't learn the language and then spend all their time hanging around with people from their own country, trying to work out how to buy things they had at home and talking about Dominicans as though they are some sub-species. I completely disagree with the idea that most people only have friends from their own socio economic background. I'm a Cambridge graduate with quite a lot of money and my two best friends don't have higher education qualifications nor very much money. I guess I make friends with people based on who they are, not on what they've got.

And regarding safety, yes Santo Domingo is a poorer city to London where I come from, but I think that if you are hanging around with locals, you are not such a target. If you can speak the language this also helps you to understand the place a lot better, and to feel safer. Dominicans are constantly telling me "don't go there, don't do that, be careful if you park there, don't leave that bag there and so on" and through listening to their advice, I've managed to keep safe. Finally, I think that if you are going to live here as a foreigner, you have to understand that we have so much more than most people here, and there will be those who try to take things away. When things get stolen or when someone tries to defraud you, you have to get over it quickly. It's happened to me several times, but I console myself by thinking that the person who took what I had probably needed it more than I did, and then move on.

All valid points but you are probably an exception and not the rule. Most retiring here want the creature comforts of home and are not looking to be-friend any locals. One thing is true. You have to leave your North American or European thinking at home and look at things from a Domincan prospective. That is hard to do after a lifetime of being programmed to think a certain way. It is essential to be able to do this if you want to enjoy living in another country and culture.