It may have already been said but:
I have lived here just under 14 years and although I went places (barrios) I probably should not have my only really "episode" was not in such and area and about a 7 minute walk from where I now live. Having said that I think you need to throw everything out the window and have new eyes. Today, the 1st of the month, no doubt many that normally receive monies from outside the country, mostly from the U.S., will not be receiving anything and the rest working in tourism and almost everything else are also not working. This country as most in the world are NOT the same in this time. I suggest not coming, especially if you are not accustomed to the environment and have no local contacts to count on.
My wife, Dominican, thinks that I am over concerned but I would rather be ready than not. Very soon there is going to be a desperate mood here and extranjeros more than ever will be targets. You need to be ready for this, not paranoid but ready.
Best of luck to you.