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Run media (tv/videos/music) off a laptop which goes into the "safe" when not home.
Speakers bolted down and put them up in corners of the ceiling (harder to get to) via bluetooth.
Bolt down everything down that you can't easily put in the steel-reinforced safe when not at home.
Yes, if broken in, stuff like blankets, blender, cookware, sheets etc will probably get stolen. Anything they can use that isn't locked down.

This "lock down" type security is perhaps extreme and maybe not necessary depending on where one lives but I figure if I am going to live there permanently, why not spend some $ on security/safety? Plus I don't want bars on my windows so this may help avoid having to do that. Also lights that light up bright when they sense movement outside and a motion-detector sound alarm, maybe a sign that says "Attack Dog On Premises" (en espa帽ol) too. Train your dog to attack intruders. Learn to shoot. (I would use buckshot only which hurts but doesn't kill.) (Guns as I understand it are illegal for residents but legal for citizens?) Not sure... But I bet a bow and arrow or a sling-shot is legal... ;-D

As for personal safety I know Costa Rica is much safer than MANY other countries in general, and very safe in most parts of the country.

But:

Don't walk around in fancy clothes with expensive looking jewelry. No jewelry is a good idea.
Don't leave stuff in your car and keep it locked with windows rolled up, preferably watched by someone trustworthy. Many areas do have guys watching cars, at least they do in San Ramon. Befriend them. Tip them well.
Don't walk around drunk at night.
Don't walk through or hang around dangerous areas at night. This might be just a bar where locals hang out on a quiet corner of town. Avoid that.
Carry pepper spray and have your hand on it ready to spray it.
Be aware of who's in front of you and behind you when walking. If you feel at all threatened run with pepper spray in hand.

Here's a comparison between San Jose Costa Rica and Los Angeles CA:
numbeo.com/crime/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Costa+Rica&city1=Los+Angeles%2C+CA&city2=San+Jose

Pretty much the same.
Let me add here that I have lived in Los Angeles for 30 years and have never had one incident regarding crime nor personal safety in spite of the reputation聽 Los Angeles has for gangs and crime. I do not go where the crime is. San Jose' and other parts of聽 Costa Rica are the same in this regard. You will know not to go certain places nor do certain things and if you are at all careful and sensible you will likely not have any personal safety issues at all.

In terms of robbery, yes, you need to take precautions for your home security.

Rule of thumb: Don't be stupid.

rendrag wrote:

Buckshot doesn't kill? Go ahead and shoot someone and find out.

Well admittedly I am no expert but I had heard that there is a way to shoot buckshot so that it only stings and marks a person. I'll look into it, which of course I would do before using it in any case. Thanks for the heads up.

kohlerias wrote:

Samramon, and what about聽 the many Ticos that have very little and get burglarized or robbed on the streets? They are obviously not 'rich gringos' and their homes may be very basic or luxurious, but they are targeted more than expats.

Being a good member of the community does not give you immunity from thieves...believe me, I know.

Putting all the signs you intend to will do nothing but bring attention to your property.

And poisoning dogs is one of the most common means of gaining access.

You make good points Kohlerias.
I don't know the stats but if you say many Ticos are also robbed, I'll defer to your expertise on the matter.

I do think gringos MAKE themselves a target by building luxurious homes, though I know some Ticos do too. Unfortunately with all the inflation, uneducated and unskilled immigrants, and lack of good paying jobs Costa Rica is becoming more crime ridden. That's just a fact. Combine that with an under-funded and/or under-trained police force and you have, well... a problem.

As to signs, the only signs I will put will be AT the home, not at the entrance or at the gate, but only AT the home; so only once they are there, to give them a 2nd thought. Maybe instead I should put a sign "Please don't rob us, we're poor like you and need our stuff."聽 聽

As long as they leave me with what I NEED, and don't hurt me or my loved ones, I'll manage to get by.
Like I keep saying, the USA is no picnic these days either. Never been robbed here but all the other shite that is going on makes it a place I want to escape.

Again I think burglary in large part depends on where and how one lives. Though surely I agree with you that being charitable and a pillar of the community doesn't exempt one from robbery. It may help but doesn't guarantee you won't get robbed.

All one can do is take precautions as one sees fit.
And hope for the best after that.
Things are things.
What counts is how one lives.

sporto505 wrote:

I have lived in Santa Ana for six months.聽 I know and am friends with several tico families.聽 聽All of my dealings to date with ticos are positive.聽 I have found them to be honest, fair and helpful.聽 Yes, there is opportunity theft, but so far, I have not experienced it.聽 When last in the states, I had security leave notes on my windowshield, telling me to hide items I left in the car.聽 Security left notes because young men were driving thru the parking lots looking for opportunity.聽 So to me the states are not any more protected from crime of opportunity than Costa Rica.聽 聽
As for violent crime, it is hard for me to imagine CR having more violent crime than the USA.聽 聽I feel safer here than in most large cities in the USA.

I agree and it depends on where you are.
San Jose over by the Coca Cola bus terminals... Um, not so safe... San Ramon downtown... very safe.
The same is true in Los Angeles area: Santa Monica Promenade - very safe... Los Angeles Greyhound Terminal - not so safe!

I feel the main difference is that in Costa RIca homes are broken into more than in most parts of the USA. But that again largely depends on WHERE in Costa Rica and WHERE in the USA.