You are a great insider and informative member … you are extremely knowledgeable on DR safety ….
You have my vote for moderator of SAFETY topics thread if there was one
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How to stay safe in DR?
You are a great insider and informative member … you are extremely knowledgeable on DR safety ….
You have my vote for moderator of SAFETY topics thread if there was one
Very funny sir , are you here every Tuesday ? And do you performed mostly on nursing homes ?
“The PN ( especially on the SDE side ) are part of the problem”
MR. Cristo rey what exactly you mean by that ? Can you elaborate ?
Thanks
Sorry dude, but this is way over the top. I go to San Isidro 3 or 4 times a week. I walk from where the guagua lets me off near San Vincente (La Calone) to Smart Fit on the Autopista de San Isidro. When finished, I then walk the Avenida Ecologia to De Gaulle and then De Gaulle to the Autopista de Las Americas and catch the guagua back to Boca Chica.
Also, whenever I goto MegaCentro, I take the Boca Chica guagua to San Vincente and then walk the 2.5 km to MegaCentro. I have never had a problem.
I do it in the daytime only and have never felt unsafe.
Didn't you say you've personally been robbed 4-5 times in the current safety thread?
Perhaps these robberies didn't occur during your walks in este but based on that comment I think it's fair to say your risk tolerance is higher than that of others and your behaviors and habits necessarily contribute to the multiple robberies. You are also a many-year vet here from what I understand, which I imagine has contributed to these events - spending more time in a place means it is more likely that eventually something will go down. On the other side of the coin you are likely more knowledgeable about the Do's and Don'ts and the areas where it is more or less safe to walk. A newcomer will not have this sort of filter in their mind and DR is in general the kind of place where it's easy to get lulled into a false sense of security.
I have a relatively low risk tolerance and I think when advising others that one should always err on the side of caution. Especially when a robbery can easily escalate into violence, up to and including being shot or murdered.
That said I come from a place that is a little more black and white in regards to crime and violence, safe and unsafe areas and as a result I've tailored my behaviors as such. Certain things I just don't do, to avoid what could very easily turn a casual stroll on just another day into a life or death survival situation.
Edit - I notice you stay on and/or stick to the avenues. I agree that this is one of the safer strategies that one can adopt. That said, an avenue in este is not an avenue in distrito nacional and things can and do most certainly happen. Safety is all about limiting your exposure to certain individuals and not giving people certain opportunities. Santo Domingo este unarguably has a much higher population/density of the sort of individuals that it would be wise to avoid and statistically has a greater number/ proportion of violent/criminal acts going on.
I am a single woman over 60. I moved from Colonial Zone (living 16 years) to" otro lado" across the dreaded bridge 6 years ago. I live in a normal apartment, no security, and have never had a problem. I like it here and if I had the cash I would buy a small house in La Francia or Calera. People are friendly. I don't go out at night. The police always stop tourists crossing the bridge and tell them to not come here. I don't understand. I've even had a few tourists stay with me and they didn't understand the fear. I like Santo Domingo Este, Villa Duarte living just fine.
IMO...absolutely NOT true. I am purchasing quite a large house there and with a history of 20 years in the DR (3 years full time )I think it is a fabulous opportunity. I have a smaller house (rented) close by for 15 years. Not one single problem.
In addition, Im not a novice at real estate both here in the DR and the states.
That's really only what I want to say on the matter as all else would be personal information (where, how much, size, bla bla bla).
It's a shame that several of the posts on the subject matter are made by members of this forum that don't have a clue. They have a lot of time on their hands and want to come on aboard with grand statements with no skin in the game. That's the problem with "free advice". Worthless.
I agree Johne, it's really a shame. I think what we need here is some raw, hard data. Let's investigate, shall we?
8,398 criminal incidents in "Santo Domingo", 1,795 in Distrito Nacional.
es.statista.com
They only allow one time viewing so I can't get the numbers but homicides are much higher in Santo Domingo than Distrito Nacional
5-year period, double homicides in Santo Domingo province than Distrito Nacional
infosegura.org
Statistical breakdown
infosegura.org
Statistical breakdown
These numbers and reports are not the best ones I've found. I spent a few weeks painstakingly reserarching crime stats on the island and within Santo Domingo. I'll do some digging and find the reports I've stumbled upon in the past. For now the above data should suffice.
In the "Walking" thread currently on the front page, posted by Rey I have deliniated an area smaller than "Distrito Nacional" that is relatively safe for tourists, residents and locals. This area is from the Luperon (better the Nuñez de Caceres) to the Zona Colonial, South of JFK from the Luperon (or Nuñez de Caceres) to the Gomez, South of Avenida Mexico from Gomez to the river. North of Independencia from Luperon (or Nuñez de Caceres) to Gomez. In the west, Luperón becomes Próceres and that connects to the Jardin Botanico. Everything within that (to the east) is reasonably ok. Outside is Los Rios, where I would not recommend a foreigner go. It isn't necessarily "dangerous" but it's just not your sector. And sticking out can cause problems.
Statistically, by the numbers, DN is safer than Este, period. If you take out Capotillo, Los Guandules, Villa Consuelo, Villa Juana, Libertad, all of that which is north of JFK, if you take out Barrio Chino, Parque Enriquillo/Villa Fransisco, all that which is north of Avenida Mexico and you eliminate everything south of Independencia from Luperon to the Churchill, or the Gomez you are cutting out the VAST MAJORITY of the dangerous areas within Distrito Nacional. It becomes quite a "safer" area in fact, especially in contrast to the areas mentioned in this paragraph and the remainder of Santo Domingo. This is where the majority of middle and upper class people spend their time when within Santo Domingo.
I've been in these areas extensively, I've walked around, driven around, been ubered around. I know people that live there. I've been in people's houses and apartments, I've walked girls home or dropped them off, I've done business in these areas extensively, I have relationships with service providers. I have not spent a single day with an expat here in this country. All of the information I've received anecdotally has been from dominicans who have lived here their entire life, or 1-2 who lived in the US for a while and then moved back. I am telling you what I know. I am telling you what they've told me. Unless Rey is a bold-faced liar the police have told them what THEY know. The statistics are telling you about the reported and recorded events that have occurred in the past.
It's your job to use this information wisely.
8,398 criminal incidents in "Santo Domingo", 1,795 in Distrito Nacional.
Homicidios en República Dominicana por región 2021 | Statista
La provincia de Santo Domingo registró el mayor número de homicidios en República Dominicana, con 294 víctimas en 2021.
es.statista.com
They only allow one time viewing so I can't get the numbers but homicides are much higher in Santo Domingo than Distrito Nacional
5-year period, double homicides in Santo Domingo province than Distrito Nacional
República Dominicana, Seguridad ciudadana 1er semestre 2021 | Infosegura
Este documento presenta un análisis en materia de seguridad ciudadana con datos a junio 2021, los cuales son producidos por las instancias nacionales responsables de la gestión de información sobre seguridad ciudadana en República Dominicana: Observatorio de Seguridad Ciudadana (OSC-RD)...
infosegura.org
Statistical breakdown
República Dominicana | Infosegura
Gestión de información sobre Seguridad Ciudadana basada en evidencia
infosegura.org
Statistical breakdown
These numbers and reports are not the best ones I've found. I spent a few weeks painstakingly reserarching crime stats on the island and within Santo Domingo. I'll do some digging and find the reports I've stumbled upon in the past. For now the above data should suffice.
In the "Walking" thread currently on the front page, posted by Rey I have deliniated an area smaller than "Distrito Nacional" that is relatively safe for tourists, residents and locals. This area is from the Luperon (better the Nuñez de Caceres) to the Zona Colonial, South of JFK from the Luperon (or Nuñez de Caceres) to the Gomez, South of Avenida Mexico from Gomez to the river. North of Independencia from Luperon (or Nuñez de Caceres) to Gomez. In the west, Luperón becomes Próceres and that connects to the Jardin Botanico. Everything within that (to the east) is reasonably ok. Outside is Los Rios, where I would not recommend a foreigner go. It isn't necessarily "dangerous" but it's just not your sector. And sticking out can cause problems.
Statistically, by the numbers, DN is safer than Este, period. If you take out Capotillo, Los Guandules, Villa Consuelo, Villa Juana, Libertad, all of that which is north of JFK, if you take out Barrio Chino, Parque Enriquillo/Villa Fransisco, all that which is north of Avenida Mexico and you eliminate everything south of Independencia from Luperon to the Churchill, or the Gomez you are cutting out the VAST MAJORITY of the dangerous areas within Distrito Nacional. It becomes quite a "safer" area in fact, especially in contrast to the areas mentioned in this paragraph and the remainder of Santo Domingo. This is where the majority of middle and upper class people spend their time when within Santo Domingo.
I've been in these areas extensively, I've walked around, driven around, been ubered around. I know people that live there. I've been in people's houses and apartments, I've walked girls home or dropped them off, I've done business in these areas extensively, I have relationships with service providers. I have not spent a single day with an expat here in this country. All of the information I've received anecdotally has been from dominicans who have lived here their entire life, or 1-2 who lived in the US for a while and then moved back. I am telling you what I know. I am telling you what they've told me. Unless Rey is a bold-faced liar the police have told them what THEY know. The statistics are telling you about the reported and recorded events that have occurred in the past.
It's your job to use this information wisely.
Yes,that is correct. For most expats your stats should tell them to never cross over the bridge. It would be wise for them and their safety to live in areas like Naco and Piatini or in gated communities. Good advise. Oh, BTW, do you know that when they asked Willie Sutton the bank robber "why did you rob banks" he answered "That's where the money is buddy".
I have lived in Naco. Piantini is too rich and stuffy for my tastes, I'd never live there. Naco is too dead and filled with older folks.
I would not recommend either. It is not easy to recommend any particular "sector" to a new person moving here because it doesn't work like that here. You need to investigate for yourself to determine how you feel about the area, ask people that live there and really even then there is nothing quite like living there yourself day after day, year after year.
I live on a dead end street inside of a residencia in a barrio. The barrio is more or less laid back and chill, it isn't super active. Poor folks, not criminals for the most part. The street I live on and the surrounding streets are filled with nothing but residencias and 6-12 bedroom casas. A few streets over people make 2-10 mil pesos mensual. That is how a lot of places here are set up.
I have had zero problems in my time here. Our biggest problem in my building is who has the hallway stinking like cat pee from time to time. I walk from where I l live to wherever I want, and pass through the aforementioned barrio for around a 5-10 minute walk on the way to the main avenue. My street is quiet. The only motores that pass through belong to the one or two younger, middle-upper class guys that live here and the delivery guys who bring water and whatever else from the colmado.
I'd recommend living in a similar area. The middle path.
I would not recommend either. It is not easy to recommend any particular "sector" to a new person moving here because it doesn't work like that here. You need to investigate for yourself to determine how you feel about the area, ask people that live there and really even then there is nothing quite like living there yourself day after day, year after year.
I live on a dead end street inside of a residencia in a barrio. The barrio is more or less laid back and chill, it isn't super active. Poor folks, not criminals for the most part. The street I live on and the surrounding streets are filled with nothing but residencias and 6-12 bedroom casas. A few streets over people make 2-10 mil pesos mensual. That is how a lot of places here are set up.
I have had zero problems in my time here. Our biggest problem in my building is who has the hallway stinking like cat pee from time to time. I walk from where I l live to wherever I want, and pass through the aforementioned barrio for around a 5-10 minute walk on the way to the main avenue. My street is quiet. The only motores that pass through belong to the one or two younger, middle-upper class guys that live here and the delivery guys who bring water and whatever else from the colmado.
I'd recommend living in a similar area. The middle path.
For all of you who say SD East is OK, I'll just say this: Ignorance is bliss.
And yes, I have lived in 4 different locations in SD East.
And yes, I have lived in 4 different locations in SD East.
I used to live in Villa Farro @Barrio Campana near Charle y Mendoza. Area was a zoo day or night. Publico o gua gua is an absolute must after 8pm..
The PN know who the criminals are throughout each and every barrio in this country. In areas like SDE their street crimes are often tolerated by the PN until they seriously injure or kill one of their victims. Then and only then do they act. Ever wonder how they apprehend these criminals so fast once a serious crime has been committed?
I will give Team Luis some credit where credit is due. They are starting to see some results as a result of police reform however they still have a very long way to go. Not sure whether or not they've started doing MANDATORY DRUG TEST yet for active members on the force but it would be a great first step in my opinion.