Pre-Covid-19, when walking about on the streets during the day, lots of folk on the street were the buffer against criminal attacks. Now that streets are nearly empty, I can attest from experience, that criminals are doing increased visual surveillance and looking for targets.
Following is my M.O. for leaving the house during the day. YMMV:
From my locked door on the street, I leave with an escort. I proceed to a nearby business where I am known, in my case, a pharmacy. I call an Uber with my back facing the street, so no one on the street can see my smartphone. I secure my phone. I wait on the street with my partner while doing surveillance. If the driver does not show up, I do not take out my phone. I return to the business.
My escort leaves when I enter the Uber. The driver must confirm my name. I get dropped off at a known safe business, e.g. Plaza Lama, where I can enter the foyer where there are security, and terminate the Uber transaction.
When I return, I call my partner prior to calling an Uber, letting her know that I will be calling Uber and asking if she will be available. If so, I call the Uber, then call my partner again from the Uber, so that she can be waiting at the security door. I also ask the driver to wait.
Travel around sunset is out of the question.
Also, a reminder that Supermercado Nacional and La Sirena offer assitance with shopping cart to the car and/or house, depending on distance. We go five blocks to the house with RD$50 being acceptable. Whereas normally I would carry my own groceries, this is done for the sake of adding another person. Thus, with my escort, we are three.
It was during this time that my partner observed that we were being visually surveiled my a male loner. When she (dominicana) gave him (dominicano) fixed eye contact, so that he knew that we knew, he left.
It's imperative to do visual surveillance of those around you. One person can be designated to do this if there are three people. This third person does not participate in conversation, surveillance only, 360 degrees.
Hopefully, you will add your suggestions to this post.
FYI, I live in San Carlos, Sto. Dom.
Following is my M.O. for leaving the house during the day. YMMV:
From my locked door on the street, I leave with an escort. I proceed to a nearby business where I am known, in my case, a pharmacy. I call an Uber with my back facing the street, so no one on the street can see my smartphone. I secure my phone. I wait on the street with my partner while doing surveillance. If the driver does not show up, I do not take out my phone. I return to the business.
My escort leaves when I enter the Uber. The driver must confirm my name. I get dropped off at a known safe business, e.g. Plaza Lama, where I can enter the foyer where there are security, and terminate the Uber transaction.
When I return, I call my partner prior to calling an Uber, letting her know that I will be calling Uber and asking if she will be available. If so, I call the Uber, then call my partner again from the Uber, so that she can be waiting at the security door. I also ask the driver to wait.
Travel around sunset is out of the question.
Also, a reminder that Supermercado Nacional and La Sirena offer assitance with shopping cart to the car and/or house, depending on distance. We go five blocks to the house with RD$50 being acceptable. Whereas normally I would carry my own groceries, this is done for the sake of adding another person. Thus, with my escort, we are three.
It was during this time that my partner observed that we were being visually surveiled my a male loner. When she (dominicana) gave him (dominicano) fixed eye contact, so that he knew that we knew, he left.
It's imperative to do visual surveillance of those around you. One person can be designated to do this if there are three people. This third person does not participate in conversation, surveillance only, 360 degrees.
Hopefully, you will add your suggestions to this post.
FYI, I live in San Carlos, Sto. Dom.
