A bit concerned...

One should always be concerned and vigilant about one's security.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Of the 4 murders you mentioned, 3 of them are drug dealers battling other drug dealers, and the other is one psycho freak hiring people to murder his father, presumably for the inheritance.
None of these have much effect on your own security, although it's good to be informed about what's going on, so as to never get caught in a crossfire.

bring a machine gun

Tuan said:

bring a machine gun

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Say what????

eralc777 said:

Are there specific areas to avoid or to be weary of because of gangs/drug dealers and the like?

I know stuff like this happens all over the world, but Id like to stay as far away as possible from any trouble!

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As best as I know, the drug houses are all buried deep in the barrios, and not to be found in the tourist zones.

eralc, I won't repeat what I've said before but read this thread
http://www.dr1.com/forums/living/59007-dr-starting-scare-hell-out-me-6.html

If you play with fire you WILL get burned! Don't use drugs, don't visit clubs & booze it up till 3am! Don't flash money & jewellery..... Do as you would be done by & you will be just fine.... But ALWAYS watch your back. Canadian Bob.

eralc777 said:

He says I need to be aware of it though.

One question, why dont the police step in and do something? Or is that rational thinking from someone in a country with an non-corrupt police force? (Actually non-corrupt is debatable, but the system works in the loosest sense)

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And your boyfriend is right, you do need to be aware of it. Be thankful you have a boyfriend who is realistic and doesn't sugar coat things.

I can see from your question about the police that your boyfriend needs to bring you up to speed on police corruption. Some (not all, but many) of the police are involved in the drugs business themselves: either running puntos or looking the other way for payoffs. And this isn't just at lower ranks levels either. So sometimes when the police do 'step in' it isn't so much a matter of law enforcement but eradication of competing sellers. Ditto for some of the military. Ask your boyfriend..............

Some police are totally trustworthy, some are not. The problem is being able to tell the difference. Even those of us who have been here quite a while are now being more cautious as to which police we trust............some of the ones who we thought were ok have succumbed to pressure from colleagues. Your boyfriend should know what the 'reputation status' of a number of officers is................ Technically, under the terms of the new Penal Code people can't be put in prison 'for nothing'. But...........there is technicality and then there is practice.............

To put this in perspective I've lived here 14+ years & not been arrested once. I've visited the local prison many times (I was helping an expat wrongly accused & visited the prison regularly over a 14 month period; more recently i.e. 2 years ago we had a young British woman jailed because her boyfriend was trying to smuggle drugs out of the country. She was innocent but it took 4 months for her to get released, so........we were back to the prison again :ermm: ). My other half has spent one night in a police jail (not prison); one night in 14 years. This was for his own 'protection' after he fired a starting pistol at someone who was molesting our dogs (protection in case the family came after him). It was years ago & we viewed it as part of the experience of learning how to become an expat. . Also gave us knowledge of police jails, Court system etc so a useful experience.

The chances of you being picked up are slim (by police, that is) provided you live a low profile decent life. If it happens be pleasant, friendly, quietly self confident, firm and non-hysterical. And have the number of your Hon Consul in your purse. The British Hon Consul for the north coast is a long term friend of ours (Grahame used to work in that office) and a very helpful person.

Clare - can you elaborate on the list of phone numbers? I am trying to make a small list for the group traveling with me (our tour operator/cab driver, 2 casinos, resort phone #) And want to add the embassy and any other pertinent phone numbers that could help someone "just in case". Most of us have traveled together the past few years and nothing "bad" has ever happened - but I want to be prepared.
PM me if you can help me out.
thanks

Betty, you want British Consular office number? I can let you have that. If you're coming to north coast that is your contact point (if you're a Brit. of course). The Embassy is in SD, several hours away.

I have always lived by and will do you well in the DR:

"fly under the radar":ninja:

Bob K

Betty - Just got back to the cold UK today after two wonderfull weeks in the DR!

I also met Bushbaby and Lambada and to be honest you know straight away that they would help you out if you got into trouble!

As they have been there so long - I kept just their number in the car - just in case!

Grahame & Ginnie - Lovely to meet you two!

Dan & Jenni
WishingIwasThere
( And will be back in just 84 sleeps! )

clare, have a number for british consulate/embassy memorized. you may not have any bag with you when you get arrested. also you can call us, and we will try to help as much as we can...
keep away from bad crowd and bad barrios, never accept any drugs and if you see people taking them in a club get your arse out of there, better safe than sorry.
do not worry about all this human scum (drug dealers) being killed - they asked for it.
if you keep low profile no one will notice you, you are young and poor - no interest for thieves...
and - keep a copy of your passport hidden at home and another one with your friends in here...

dv8 said:

clare, have a number for british consulate/embassy memorized. you may not have any bag with you when you get arrested.

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Perhaps you would like to reword this sentence. 'When' you get arrested? Good heavens! It is not a foregone conclusion.

I'm all for 'speaking out' and 'telling it like it is'. Seems to me people are being encouraged to be hysterical currently on this board.

Is there a secret society to keep all tourists out of the DR? Some society that I am not a member of?

Well Chris,

I know Im a little tired right now and usually would toe the DR1 line - but equally we should be honest.

How many people were killed in POP in the month of Jan 07?

I am told that its around 1.5 a day! Now POP isnt huge but between 30 - 40 people a month being killed is a significant number - YES Im sure some of these if not most of these "deserve" it in their "business" dealings and have it coming - however from what I have gleened from talking to people there murders are a lot more wide spread than what is reported on this site.

This is not part of a secret society to keep tourists out - my god in no way - I love the country! But should people not be made awear of what goes on?