I do not feel unsafe, but I am always weary of my surroundings. I do not wear jewellery or any kind of a purse. Keys, money and phone in my pockets.
I have learned this the hard way.
Now I don't have a problem walking home by myself on the main street in Cabarete late at night occasionally. I am female. I do not get bothered and there are lots of security guards along the way.
Just don't make yourself a target! What do you expect when you are drunk out of your mind and two chicas offer to take you home? You get robbed!
I don't know if the crime rate is up. It is what it is and always has been.
You take precautions as much as you can and ....never get complacent, ever, and you will be fine.