Is it really that bad in The Dominican Republic now?

nyc dad

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Jul 28, 2011
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I usually keep abreast of what's going on in Santo Domingo from the states,but it seems that now more than before,all you see in the news is this wave of crime,that gets worst by the day.I was down there back in june this year,and never at any time felt unsafe.I used to think that Santiago and Bani were relatively safe,but now all you heard about it's how some international drug cartels are trying to set base in Santiago and,recently in Bani,three minors were injured on their way to school secondary to a rival gangs shoot out.It's hard for me to imagine this crime wave spreading to places like Naco,Piantini,Gazcue,etcetera,but then again,I'm not down there like some of you guys.Common sense dictates that,most crimes would occur at the barrio level regardless of where in the world you are.So with that said,how bad is it really? The media tends to over exaggerate sometimes.The say the same thing about Caracas,I was there not too long ago and it wasn't half as bad as they made it seem or sound.Sometimes I feel that these statements are made by some guy that has never been out of his Lil cubicle and just typing away and making those statements based on figures and charts
 

Bronxboy

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2007
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NYC Dad:

Even though you are speaking about DR, NYC is also getting there, as well as, other states.

Things are bad all over. :(
 

RV429

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Apr 3, 2011
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In today's news:
ICE Chief held in child porn case
Severed heads found near Mexico School
Murder Death of 5 in Indiana leaves questions
and on and on
The world has many problems, not just in the D.R.
 
Jul 4, 2010
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I usually keep abreast of what's going on in Santo Domingo from the states,but it seems that now more than before,all you see in the news is this wave of crime,that gets worst by the day.I was down there back in june this year,and never at any time felt unsafe.I used to think that Santiago and Bani were relatively safe,but now all you heard about it's how some international drug cartels are trying to set base in Santiago and,recently in Bani,three minors were injured on their way to school secondary to a rival gangs shoot out.It's hard for me to imagine this crime wave spreading to places like Naco,Piantini,Gazcue,etcetera,but then again,I'm not down there like some of you guys.Common sense dictates that,most crimes would occur at the barrio level regardless of where in the world you are.So with that said,how bad is it really? The media tends to over exaggerate sometimes.The say the same thing about Caracas,I was there not too long ago and it wasn't half as bad as they made it seem or sound.Sometimes I feel that these statements are made by some guy that has never been out of his Lil cubicle and just typing away and making those statements based on figures and charts

It's that bad, and there's even a DR travel advisory by the US State Department informing wary travellers to take common sense precautions. Now, about comparing apples and pear, while Venezuela saw almost 20.000 homicides last year, the DR had less than 2000...
 

jrjrth

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Mar 24, 2011
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~People will do desparate things in desparate times~ Regardless of geographic location...with the state of the economy globally, you will find that historically there will be an increase in crimes of all spectrums...if one feels they have no other choice or escape they may do something tragic...just look at what the German did to his family....Must have had a desparate choice to make in his mind, however tragic...
 

Lolitula

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Mar 16, 2011
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Hi NYC, as a 30-ish mum here in the DR, I can tell you I feel WAY safer here than I did in my hometown of Ottawa, Canada, and belieeeeve me, Ottawa's a pretty sleepy town!

There is crime everywhere, violence everywhere, and bad people in good places. My thoughts are: don't get into drugs, prostitution, or anything - ermmmm - naughty, and you'll be fine. Yes, innocent people are sometimes targets from having been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it's terrible...but the DR is my adopted home and I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel safe.

I hope this helps! :)
 

Africaida

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Jun 19, 2009
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Sometimes I wonder if we don't feel that way because journalism tends to focus more on more on sensationalism.
 

Berzin

Banned
Nov 17, 2004
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In today's news:
ICE Chief held in child porn case
Severed heads found near Mexico School
Murder Death of 5 in Indiana leaves questions
and on and on
The world has many problems, not just in the D.R.

Never understood the logic of the highlighted sentence in reference to the state of affairs of a specific place.
 

bob saunders

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Jan 1, 2002
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I've been here in Jarabacoa for aproximately 3 weeks and I've heard about numerous robberies...etc, but most people are saying Jarabacoa is pretty safe but stay away from La Vega. The Capital also gets a bad reputation, most likely deserved. Dominicans have a tendency to exaggerate about how bad things are. Everyone has a story about somebody they know that was robbed, mugged...etc in Santo Domingo.
 

bob saunders

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Jan 1, 2002
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Hi NYC, as a 30-ish mum here in the DR, I can tell you I feel WAY safer here than I did in my hometown of Ottawa, Canada, and belieeeeve me, Ottawa's a pretty sleepy town!

There is crime everywhere, violence everywhere, and bad people in good places. My thoughts are: don't get into drugs, prostitution, or anything - ermmmm - naughty, and you'll be fine. Yes, innocent people are sometimes targets from having been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it's terrible...but the DR is my adopted home and I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel safe.

I hope this helps! :)

Rose colour glasses or what. There is a small area of Ottawa that is dangerous at night. You can walk day or night most places and not have to worry about being robbed, raped, or assaulted. 90% of the DR is more violent than Ottawa.
 

Ringo

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Mar 6, 2003
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Sometimes I wonder if we don't feel that way because journalism tends to focus more on more on sensationalism.

But that is what "journalism" and selling papers or TV news is all about. People flock to it and eat it up.

Look at the new thread regarding the German and family right here on DR1. Some people just HAVE TO comment, speculate and bring up ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING that they can find and even invent all by themselves. No facts, no first hand knowledge. No respect. Just what the not so good "journalist" publish that includes may right here on DR1. They become experts and know everything .... other then the truth or respect.

We have seen this over and over with some of the victims being my friends or neighbors.

I will say that I have had to introduce my sidekick Bob twice in the last couple of months. Bob is my 9MM and as the old credit card commercial says: "Don't leave home without it".

Those that arrive with their brains (most don't) and are not here for the sex and/or drug trade and keep a low profile while having fun should have no problem. Those looking the the sex and drugs I wish all the problems come there way. Those that are loud and flashy set themselves up too.

Regards
 

greydread

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Jan 3, 2007
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Rose colour glasses or what. There is a small area of Ottawa that is dangerous at night. You can walk day or night most places and not have to worry about being robbed, raped, or assaulted. 90% of the DR is more violent than Ottawa.

Only for some.
 

Lolitula

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Mar 16, 2011
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No rose coloured glasses here! Just a comment, from a woman's perspective. Ok, I do get more attention from men here, which is a bit bothersome at times, but that's the worst I've ever had to deal with. Back at home I could honestly say there were more robberies and muggings, rapes and domestic violence than I've ever seen in the DR.

All that being said, hey, I live in a wonderful little town (Cabrera) and have only visited Santo Domingo. Then again, I wouldn't run around at night alone anywhere, not at home, not even here.

Again, I do believe common sense should be the key! Crime exists everywhere, and the DR is not immune. But from my own experiences (2nd time living in the DR, this time to stay for good, I hope!) I've never felt safer. Just saying :)
 

_Zee_

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Sep 24, 2011
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But that is what "journalism" and selling papers or TV news is all about. People flock to it and eat it up.

Look at the new thread regarding the German and family right here on DR1. Some people just HAVE TO comment, speculate and bring up ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING that they can find and even invent all by themselves. No facts, no first hand knowledge. No respect. Just what the not so good "journalist" publish that includes may right here on DR1. They become experts and know everything .... other then the truth or respect.

We have seen this over and over with some of the victims being my friends or neighbors.

I will say that I have had to introduce my sidekick Bob twice in the last couple of months. Bob is my 9MM and as the old credit card commercial says: "Don't leave home without it".

Those that arrive with their brains (most don't) and are not here for the sex and/or drug trade and keep a low profile while having fun should have no problem. Those looking the the sex and drugs I wish all the problems come there way. Those that are loud and flashy set themselves up too.

Regards

This.

I mean really, is it that hard to imagine that there are issues all over the world and not just here, or in 3rd world countries as a whole? Bad people are everywhere, the trick is to be smart about how you present yourself to others you don't know.

Rose colour glasses or what. There is a small area of Ottawa that is dangerous at night. You can walk day or night most places and not have to worry about being robbed, raped, or assaulted. 90% of the DR is more violent than Ottawa.

Ottawa is a violent enough town despite being fairly small and fairly low key. There is more than just a small area of Ottawa that is dangerous at night, coming from an Ottawan who has lived there for 8 years prior to moving here (this year) I have a bit of experience with the city as whole.

Anyhow, from what I've seen here in the DR, it's not that bad. Hot spots are of course touristy areas but that's a given. Establish yourself slowly in whatever community you're in and don't take dumb risks. Rocket science.
 

Africaida

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Jun 19, 2009
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But that is what "journalism" and selling papers or TV news is all about. People flock to it and eat it up.

I agree and it contributes to the feeling about safety. Because, it is a feeling we are talking about *.

Not to say that the world is not more dangerous as we speak, I don't know, but we should look at facts, data.

*Ottawa unsafe ? LOl, really? you would sh*t in your pants if you saw where I live, lol, yet I feel very safe (which may be the opposite for someone else).
 

Acira

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Sep 20, 2009
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You can have a false 'good feeling' about your home town or neighborhood and therefore let your guard down and get robbed at the corner to your house and be extra alert when on holiday and never have any trouble and in reversed order too. Common sense counts everywhere.
 

Ringo

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Mar 6, 2003
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This.

I mean really, is it that hard to imagine that there are issues all over the world and not just here, or in 3rd world countries as a whole? Bad people are everywhere, the trick is to be smart about how you present yourself to others you don't know.



Ottawa is a violent enough town despite being fairly small and fairly low key. There is more than just a small area of Ottawa that is dangerous at night, coming from an Ottawan who has lived there for 8 years prior to moving here (this year) I have a bit of experience with the city as whole.

Anyhow, from what I've seen here in the DR, it's not that bad. Hot spots are of course touristy areas but that's a given. Establish yourself slowly in whatever community you're in and don't take dumb risks. Rocket science.

Ok, I get your point sort of. But WE ain't in Ottawa! We have a whole different thinking and way of life here that is way far from how people in Ottawa think, act and re-act too.
 
Nov 25, 2008
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Being here since 82 I can say that the DR is going no where pretty fast; with no control on the drug problem, police being the big problem; I see no control on the situation.
The regular tourist who comes down here to the resorts don't see the problem, but leave the confines of the all inclusive and behold Armageddon is upon us in paradise
 

Criss Colon

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Jan 2, 2002
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Why Is It That Whenever Someone Asks A Question About "Crime" In The DR,...........

All they get in "answers", is;"It's Worse "HERE",OR "THERE"!
This is still,DR1 for God's sake!
I have lived here for over 15 years.
"THINGS" are bad here, and getting worse!
PROBLEMS ARE MADE WORSE BY,the police and military being heavily involved in all types of criminal activities,especially "DRUGS"!
Politicians and judges can be "bought".
THERE IS VERY LITTLE OPPORTUNITY FOR the huge number of uneducated citzens.
Political corruption takes unbelievable quantities of the "peoples" money for personal use.
Taxes are very,very high,even on food,and other essencials that the people need.
It's very hard to do business here because a Dominican would rather cheat you out of business,than earn a resonable profit for hard work.
Bottom line,...Idon't go into "Bad Barrios" anytime,and I don't go anywhere at night!

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Ringo

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Mar 6, 2003
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Being here since 82 I can say that the DR is going no where pretty fast; with no control on the drug problem, police being the big problem; I see no control on the situation.
The regular tourist who comes down here to the resorts don't see the problem, but leave the confines of the all inclusive and behold Armageddon is upon us in paradise

See post #11. You say you have been here since 82 and I respect your views. Wife and I have only 20 or so years here.

It's the "all inclusive" that put the "Armageddon" on the tourist. It IS great to leave the AI and have a good time with a couple of things in mind. Like having a mind.