A lot of businesses closed in Sosua

ju10prd

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The earlier close hour changes nothing when it come to prostitution.


More sober clients for the crack whores lol.

Get a life. Enjoy the wide and varied DR and the women with such ease and no hassle at less material cost without having to resort to crack whores in Sosua which has to be a last desperate hope. The government is doing you a favor now. lol.
 

windeguy

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Jul 10, 2004
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The earlier close hour changes nothing when it come to prostitution.

Do you even for a minute think that is all the government is going to do? They appear to really want to reduce the presence of prostitution in that particular area.

What will work? Who knows, but I bet they try several things.
 

fifilein

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Families that come to Sosua or Cabarete might come back if ....

Please name me a single reason why a Family should come to Sosua?

What does Sosua have, that other Caribbean destinations do not have?

- better hotels?
- better weather in winter?
- cheaper?
- safer?
- similar vacationers (eg same aged kids for play groups - just guessing - what do I know)?

In case you need some alternative destinations, just a small sample in a similar flying time:
- Punta Cana
- Montego Bay
- Puerto Rico
- St. Martin
- St. Thomas (+St. Croix)
- Cuba
- Grand Cayman
- Bahamas
- Cancun


I dare you to find one single advantage for a family to go to Sosua over the places above.

Don't get me wrong, I like Sosua. While I don't use the local services, I like the complete craziness of this city. I like making a u-turns in a one-way just to avoid the police because I just couldn't care about my helmet, or being afraid that the guy I hired for moving takes all my stuff and drives away. I like crazy, that's why I like it here.

I've been to close to all of the above places. A family would need to be insane to chose Sosua over any of those destinations - and that will NOT change even after they crack down on prostitution and crime.
 

Uzin

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Oct 26, 2005
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In all those articles they are tackling every problem you can think of but no mention of "Corruption", how about that one... Let's start with the basics !

As for those who are not familiar with this little town, we had all this before, in fact many times over. The likes of Brito come along and make a few speeches and enforce a few laws, even close a few bars, arrest and deport a few unlucky people.

Once those who are at the end of receiving the cash and the back-handers and those with business interest suffer, it is all slowly but shortly forgotten - in a few weeks/months you say, Brito who !?

As for the situation now, a lot of chicas and guys are in the street and gathering in other locations, I was in small Playero near casino earlier, it was full of people, but the cashier was standing there watching them as nobody was buying anything, was just a chatting/mingling place for chicas and guys !

What a great strategy this is, kick them out of bars and on the street by closing places or enforcing early closures...or may be that was the plan !?

There is correct way of sorting out the issues here, but it is amazing that they never ever go about it the right way - all these years....!
 

Lobo Tropical

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Aug 21, 2010
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The scourge of prostitution

I wonder what the Sosua permanent resident retirement/investment crowd wants?
Sosua and Cabarete has potential for serious tourist development but not with this whoring image intact.

One also need to note that this action is being taken by the Brito, Ministry of Tourism and National Police collectively and may to be something promoted by central government rather than local politicians.
For those readers that don't reside in RD, you should be aware that there is real central government sensitivity dealing with a current wave of insecurity of the population. Crime, drugs and prostitution have been publicly linked in Sosua. Expatriates exploiting women has also been reported in the media.

For anyone on a 1-2 week vacation, AI's in Punta Cana offer superior services and beaches, especially for families, couples and groups.
Why would I spend $2000 or more for a monthly condo rental (good quality) in Sosua or Cabarete? Once I leave the condo I'm in a dilapidated area. The beaches are far from superior.
If the political noise is for personal gain and real estate development, good luck just do it.
Prostitution is a seemingly popular political tool, but not the cause for insecurity.
Control corrupt judiciary, military and police. The daily Dominican crime wave can be witnessed by reading Dominican papers. I highly doubt that the main cause of this is prostitution.
Dominicans do not trust their police or the courts.
Dominicans realize that their government elite cares little for the average Dominican.

http://noticiaspop.com.do/raptan-hieren-hombre-vinculado-asalto-del-bhd-leon-puerto-plata/

http://noticiaspop.com.do/una-semana-del-asesinato-mujer-barahona-la-policia-la-fiscalia-saben-nada/

http://noticiaspop.com.do/policia-presa-dos-atracadores-cometieron-hechos-delictivos-puerto-plata-2/
 
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Garyexpat

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Sep 7, 2012
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If they want to stop violence and drugs let them go to Capotillo or La Gualey in the capitol. Granted there is crime in Sosua but it doesn't compare to other parts of the country. Yes I know it may oft times include extranjeros but still it isn't what is effecting the national numbers on violent crimes or drugs.
As far as "bringing back families to Sosua" you would have had to have them in the first place. Yes I have seen SOME but very few. Go to P.C. or north coast Playa Dorado if you want to see families.
 

ramesses

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Jun 17, 2005
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Do you even for a minute think that is all the government is going to do? They appear to really want to reduce the presence of prostitution in that particular area.

What will work? Who knows, but I bet they try several things.

I could care less what they do. It won't affect me. I am only saying that early closing will not affect prostitution. No more, no less. It may affect the guys who come for a short time but there is so much more to prostitution in this country....little Sosua is a drop in the bucket.
 

Seamonkey

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Oct 6, 2009
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By enforcing the by-law they have immediately done one thing. Owners will layoff staff and lots of them. So, the government has just put about 70%of the local legally bar working Dominicans out of work. There is no way that the bars will keep them if they can only open till midnight. Places like Blue Ice only open at 9pm!!!!

Next is the trickle down effect from the bars/restaurants buying less. President, the other beer sellers and alcohol sellers will suffer in a big way. Food distributors, player, taxis, motoconchos will all feel it.
 

Seamonkey

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Oct 6, 2009
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Thanks for that. Tourist areas have to go along with the hours that the Ministry of Tourism and the Minister of the Interior and Police decide. In other words, whatever hours the government wants to make, they can arbitrarily make. No laws are being broken by telling businesses in tourist areas to close at midnight.

I suspect because of the new policy regarding prostitution, previously certified businesses can challenge all they want without any chance of winning.

I don't agree with you. How can you only target one town and enforce the by-law? Yet, 10 miles down the road is Cabarete, not affected. Double standards and unfair play.
 

ramesses

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Jun 17, 2005
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By enforcing the by-law they have immediately done one thing. Owners will layoff staff and lots of them. So, the government has just put about 70%of the local legally bar working Dominicans out of work. There is no way that the bars will keep them if they can only open till midnight. Places like Blue Ice only open at 9pm!!!!

Next is the trickle down effect from the bars/restaurants buying less. President, the other beer sellers and alcohol sellers will suffer in a big way. Food distributors, player, taxis, motoconchos will all feel it.

....and it will have no effect on what the are claiming it will do. This hurts the little everyday guy....again.
 

Expat13

Silver
Jun 7, 2008
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By enforcing the by-law they have immediately done one thing. Owners will layoff staff and lots of them. So, the government has just put about 70%of the local legally bar working Dominicans out of work. There is no way that the bars will keep them if they can only open till midnight. Places like Blue Ice only open at 9pm!!!!

Next is the trickle down effect from the bars/restaurants buying less. President, the other beer sellers and alcohol sellers will suffer in a big way. Food distributors, player, taxis, motoconchos will all feel it.
You have been here awhile and im sure have gotten to know the strengths and weaknesses of the Dominican mind. That said, do you really believe any of these changes/decisions were made with the foresight of how it will affect other business, locals or anyone or anything
 

windeguy

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Jul 10, 2004
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I don't agree with you. How can you only target one town and enforce the by-law? Yet, 10 miles down the road is Cabarete, not affected. Double standards and unfair play.

They will enforce the law as it exists. If they identify a business in Cabarete that caters to the whore monger crowd, they could do the same thing they are doing to Sosua businesses. If they find the business in Cabarete (or anywhere else for that matter) is not a problem with regards to prostitution, they will allow them to keep their exemption the let them remain open late.

That is according to the law that was posted above, so while it may be a mental double standard, it is not a legal double standard. Sosua and as reported above, other select areas of the DR, that cater to prostitutes are facing such restrictions.
 

windeguy

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You have been here awhile and im sure have gotten to know the strengths and weaknesses of the Dominican mind. That said, do you really believe any of these changes/decisions were made with the foresight of how it will affect other business, locals or anyone or anything

The changes, successful are not, are being done to combat prostitution. The businesses that will be affected are such a small number in the minds of the politicians that they really do not matter. As was pointed out, there is also a mind set in the DR that crime needs to be controlled, and it does not matter if prostitution is a crime, the police are doing something that the voters will recognize as control. Most Dominicans find Sosua to be an embarrassment.
 

ju10prd

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Please name me a single reason why a Family should come to Sosua?

What does Sosua have, that other Caribbean destinations do not have?

- better hotels?
- better weather in winter?
- cheaper?
- safer?
- similar vacationers (eg same aged kids for play groups - just guessing - what do I know)?

In case you need some alternative destinations, just a small sample in a similar flying time:
- Punta Cana
- Montego Bay
- Puerto Rico
- St. Martin
- St. Thomas (+St. Croix)
- Cuba
- Grand Cayman
- Bahamas
- Cancun


I dare you to find one single advantage for a family to go to Sosua over the places above.

Don't get me wrong, I like Sosua. While I don't use the local services, I like the complete craziness of this city. I like making a u-turns in a one-way just to avoid the police because I just couldn't care about my helmet, or being afraid that the guy I hired for moving takes all my stuff and drives away. I like crazy, that's why I like it here.

I've been to close to all of the above places. A family would need to be insane to chose Sosua over any of those destinations - and that will NOT change even after they crack down on prostitution and crime.


You are correct but you are missing the bigger picture.

The Silver Coast has plenty of potential. It was the main tourist attraction for the country in years gone by.

It still has the beaches available, and it has the nearby Cordillera Septentrional mountain range with plenty of eco tourism possibilities existing and available. It has two airports at either end.

What it lacks is up to date infrastructure but maybe that is about to change. It also lacks modern hospitality. The existing resorts are lacking and cannot compete with what is on offer in Bavaro.

Ask yourself why in recent years the Silver Coast has failed to attract new finance to kick start those large hospitality projects sat on drawing boards which would bring long term jobs and prosperity to the region. Simple fact is that the large financial institutions don't want to put money into an area with a scarred reputation due to one unfortunate town that attracts a type of tourist that families and couples do not want to share space with. Equally this reputation discourages the more wealthy Dominicans from investing or spending their weekends in the area and they drive off to Samana and Bavaro in umbers instead. Can this area attract more wealthy North Americans and Europeans too?

Sosua in it's current form creates a marketing disaster for the whole Silver Coast and that halts the finance.

If you stand back and look at Sosua without the presence of girlie bars and all the trimmings, you find the quaint resort that attracted people there many years ago and it does have some decent restaurants etc. by all accounts. It can be re-discovered. The local tourism sector think so by all accounts and have made repeated representation to central government from what I read.

Could it match the likes of Las Terrenas which also has a large expatriate community and visitors where one can enjoy the beach, restaurants and find a companion without excessive bar life?

The fact that change is now likely on the agenda with full Ministry of Tourism backing and this may please some and upset others, but for the longer term benefit of the residents (not the tourist hangers on who come from Haiti and the Cibao etc), I believe quality hospitality development must be encouraged and with all the steps needed to make that happen for the sake of the whole of the Silver Coast.
 

windeguy

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Jul 10, 2004
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No legal double standard to close one place and open another

Quick google and here is the law

http://www.senado.gob.do/senado/por...s Publicas/PROYDELEYEXPBEBIDASALCOHoLICAS.pdf

Category 1 Establecimientos y Centros Tur?sticos Habilitados y certificados por el Ministerio de Turismo
Horario a ser establecido por el Ministerio de Interior y Polic?a
Establecimientos y Centros Tur?sticos Habilitados y certificados por el Ministerio de Turismo
Horario a ser establecido por el Ministerio de Interior y Polic?a


As ju10prd pointed out by finding the law that concerns closing times, the hours for tourist establishments are not under the same laws as the general closing times in non-tourist areas. What this law says in English is that the hours of Category 1 tourist locations which are certified by the Minister of Tourism as such, can have their hours set by the Minster of the Interior and Police.

Call it unfair, or unjust, but as I read the law no legal double standard is used to force one business to close and allow another one to stay open. It would only be a double standard if it said that all tourist centers and establishments had to follow the same hours of operation. Reading between the lines, and seeing what happened to start with in Sosua, if your place contributes to whore-mongering, expect shorter hours.

Will forcing a business to close at midnight that normally opens a 9 PM cause that business to fail? Probably.
 
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the gorgon

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Sep 16, 2010
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You are correct but you are missing the bigger picture.

The Silver Coast has plenty of potential. It was the main tourist attraction for the country in years gone by.

It still has the beaches available, and it has the nearby Cordillera Septentrional mountain range with plenty of eco tourism possibilities existing and available. It has two airports at either end.

What it lacks is up to date infrastructure but maybe that is about to change. It also lacks modern hospitality. The existing resorts are lacking and cannot compete with what is on offer in Bavaro.

Ask yourself why in recent years the Silver Coast has failed to attract new finance to kick start those large hospitality projects sat on drawing boards which would bring long term jobs and prosperity to the region. Simple fact is that the large financial institutions don't want to put money into an area with a scarred reputation due to one unfortunate town that attracts a type of tourist that families and couples do not want to share space with. Equally this reputation discourages the more wealthy Dominicans from investing or spending their weekends in the area and they drive off to Samana and Bavaro in umbers instead. Can this area attract more wealthy North Americans and Europeans too?

Sosua in it's current form creates a marketing disaster for the whole Silver Coast and that halts the finance.

If you stand back and look at Sosua without the presence of girlie bars and all the trimmings, you find the quaint resort that attracted people there many years ago and it does have some decent restaurants etc. by all accounts. It can be re-discovered. The local tourism sector think so by all accounts and have made repeated representation to central government from what I read.

Could it match the likes of Las Terrenas which also has a large expatriate community and visitors where one can enjoy the beach, restaurants and find a companion without excessive bar life?

The fact that change is now likely on the agenda with full Ministry of Tourism backing and this may please some and upset others, but for the longer term benefit of the residents (not the tourist hangers on who come from Haiti and the Cibao etc), I believe quality hospitality development must be encouraged and with all the steps needed to make that happen for the sake of the whole of the Silver Coast.

without the girls, Sosua is just yet one more waterfront village. the caribbean is crawling with them, and many are more spectacular than Sosua. when the girls are gone, real destitution will set in, and the place will be uninhabitable
 

ramesses

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Jun 17, 2005
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Ooooh but there are families lined up just waiting to visit.


....unless this is some master plan to sell off the place to a large corp. No, can't be that.
 

the gorgon

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Sep 16, 2010
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Ooooh but there are families lined up just waiting to visit.


....unless this is some master plan to sell off the place to a large corp. No, can't be that.

i am still trying to figure out what they want to see. there is nothing there.
 

windeguy

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Jul 10, 2004
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without the girls, Sosua is just yet one more waterfront village. the caribbean is crawling with them, and many are more spectacular than Sosua. when the girls are gone, real destitution will set in, and the place will be uninhabitable

The majority of Dominicans think Sosua is uninhabitable as it is. They will not be troubled by this.