Mexico City?????
Lambada.....again you are comparing apples to oranges. Have you ever been to MX? Mexico City, Mexico City, the capital and like SD and Kingston in JA as well as NYC, all have the higher crime rates for their country. In Jamaica for example, Kingston is very dangerous but most of the crime is drug related to and between the locals. You don't see tourism crime like you do in the DR, spreading out to the rest of the country. Not just locals but expats and tourists as well are on the receiving end now. Stupid people, bite the hand that feeds you. Ha.
When I first started travel in the DR in 97, the capital had it's share of problems, wasn't much for crime in comparison on the north shore, east coast or even the interior. Very much like it's neighbor Haiti, there is NO place considered safe anymore. The UN has deemed Haiti one of the most dangerous places to visit or travel in the world! Do you really think that the DR will capitalize on tourism with that kind of neighbor? Yup, drugs promote crime and hurts tourism, plain and simple. Most 3rd world or poorer countries are destin, it's just a matter of time before the crooked government and police totally destroy the meaning of the word Democracy, which is my eyes is more Socialist at best. When you can't feel safe in small places like Sosua and Caberete, Jarabacoa, La Vega or other low keyed areas, it's time to look a little more closer. Canadians have always been a big part of the tourism in the Dr from day 1, point being they are going other places now. Weather they are considered the same safety wise will be in the cards not turned over yet, but the issue has nothing to do with comparisons of other countries, we're talking about the DR, and how the government and people are destroying the trust and tourism in coming years. This will effect you and everyone there, mostly the gringo expat who made the bad choice picking the Dr as there new home. Come on, half of the people from other countries that relocate there don't have a clue as to what they are doing, thus all the inquiries that keep a forum like this alive. I've done business in Santiago for 8 years, and I will still do the same but the property I bought to retire to someday was bought at a time of my love for the country, and has changed my long term plans in the future. I will continue to rent it out to the girls from Canada that work in the A/I's and find a more tolerable place to enjoy my retirement.
You have an epedemic at hand spreading like any virus.
Good luck....