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In the last few weeks, I've noticed and experienced an increase in begging, pan handling, "guided" parking services & vehicle "security" in San Juan plaza.聽 3 times last week after getting food from a restaurant and coming out of a grocery store, I was approached by people with their hand on their stomach asking for food or me to buy them food or give them money for food.

It's off season now, and many businesses are noting a dramatic decrease in clients.

One dining owner told me she hasn't had a customer in over a week, not sure what they will do.

At Cabeza de Toro, there are 2 major beachfront hotels that are closed until Nov.

So, longwinded - I haven't had any crime but tough times call for . . . . . .

This is in reference to the Punta Cana area, not sure about the others municipalities.

We're moving to Las Terrenas soon anyway, so we'll what it's like there.

In the Bavaro\Punta Cana area:聽 I don't think that vacations at resorts is any different. If you are vacationing outside of the resorts I would say that I see an increase in risk. You need to have some street smarts or have someone to watch over you while you are here as a safety precaution. Driving is normal...I mean terrible. Use a Uber, taxi or public transportation.

If you are renting be sure to rent from someone reliable with a good track record and someone who can speak Spanish and your language (English).

We own a home but only get to come down on short visits. I asked only because I have had a few people send me a notification about the US re-issuing its warning about DR. I just wanted to know from people who've been there like 10-15 years what their opinions are. I have never felt unsafe, and I hike all over by myself. But, I'm not stupid about it.

We have been burglarized twice. Once the day after everyone had left. And someone (not going to say who...*cough*...my husband) did not leave the outside lights on, and someone who had clearly been watching us pried open the bar plate to get at the lock. They stole some wire and an expensive cement drill (but didn't know to take the drill bits...) Oh, and they helped themselves to some alcohol.聽 We had just started furnishing the house so there wasn't much.聽 The second time was a local 'gang' of thieves who used their tiniest cousins to rob houses. They lowered a small person through a one-foot by one-foot window in the toilet room who then unlocked the door from the inside and they cleaned out our renters' electronics while they were sleeping!

Now we have neighbors and they are key to this not happening since they moved in next door! We look out for each other!

I'm not the most experienced Traveler to the Dominican. But I visit 3 to 4 times a year for the past 10 years. And for the past 3 years I鈥檝e stayed 3 weeks to 3 months.

I copied the actual US document update Traveler warning of June 6th 2023 below in the following article on the 7 countries that have a ban on traveling to the US..

And I want to preface these with Just 2 problems in the last 2 weeks here in Dallas, Texas.

1. Elderly couple arriving at their somewhat affluent, North Dallas. home around 10 o'clock at night. Found a man standing on their porch.. Intimidated and not wanting to get out. Not knowing who it was, they rolled down the window and asked the man to please leave.. The man charged at the car. And they backed out and drove off and came back after calling the police.

They sat in their car while the Dallas police department didn't arrive for over 6 hours!聽 SIX HOURS!!

The couple Scanned a screenshot of the call logs to the police department from their cell phone showing the many times they called the police. But I don't remember how many times it was.

2. Within the last few days, the Dallas police were called about a man standing at their porch with a gun while his 2 friends were stealing building materials from their property next door.

They continued calling the police and it was over 4 hours before the police arrived.

They scanned a screenshot of the call logs to the police department from their cell phone showing how many times they called the police. But I don't remember how many times it was.

Look who鈥檚 calling 鈥渢he kettle black鈥�

I would venture to say per capita we (here in the US.) have much more crime and extreme crimes than the Dominican Republic.

I have property near Juan Dolio. I walk the streets on Duarte in Santo Domingo. I shop in Villa Consuelo. I have not felt threatened or had a problem.

1 The only time there was an attempted robbery was when Google Maps told me to make a left on to the service road to get to Jumbo.. A policeman pulled me over and said no left turn.. He told me how much the ticket would cost.. Or I could just pay him..

I told him I'm a tourist. I only carry credit cards, Do you take credit cards? He laughed and said go go..

I take that back. One night during the Strict COVID Curfew I was driving to the airport after curfew hours.

Made a wrong turn and had to turn around underneath the expressway in a dark dingy area. And there was a curfew road block check with 2 motorcycle officers..

I rolled down the window and asked directions to the Airport with my broken Spanish..

AeroPuerte.. Airapurta???

He asked for my Pass-a-port.

I said no No air-a-port Air-a-port.!! jjjjj

The other officer leaning over his shoulder said money money money..

I said credit card, credit card, credit card..

They also laughed and said go

Tell me any country where there are no problems. Just be careful and practice caution wherever you are

.

________________________________________________

7 countries with travel bans against the US

May 1, 2023 鈥�

These countries have issued travel advisories for their citizens towards the United States 路 New Zealand 路 Canada 路 Australia 路 United Kingdom.

_____________________________________________________

U.S. Dominican Republic Travel Advisory

June 6, 2023

Dominican Republic - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

C

Reissued with updates to health information.

Exercise increased caution in the Dominican Republic due to crime.

Country Summary: Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault is a concern throughout the Dominican Republic. The development of a professional tourist police corps, institution of a 911 system in many parts of the country, and a concentration of resources in resort areas means these tend to be better policed than urban areas like Santo Domingo. The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality on the broader scale.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to the Dominican Republic.

If you decide to travel to the Dominican Republic:

Be aware of your surroundings.

Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.

Follow the advice of resort and tour operators regarding local safety and security concerns.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

Review the Country Security Report for the Dominican Republic.

Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler鈥檚 Checklist.

Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

In 3 years here, I have not seen nor heard of one example of "armed robbery, homicide or sexual assault" of tourists聽 either in the North Coast or Santo Domingo.聽 It might be occurring, but I would think we'd see reports in the major newspapers or CDN.聽 聽My observation is that the State Department operates at a distance from Washington without an ambassador in place here and absorbs information from a limited number of people.聽 They don't seem to coordinate with the local/national governments.聽 What is with this administration that they can't put in competent representatives and appoint an acceptable US ambassador?

In 3 years here, I have not seen nor heard of one example of "armed robbery, homicide or sexual assault" of tourists聽 either in the North Coast or Santo Domingo.聽 It might be occurring, but I would think we'd see reports in the major newspapers or CDN.聽 聽My observation is that the State Department operates at a distance from Washington without an ambassador in place here and absorbs information from a limited number of people.聽 They don't seem to coordinate with the local/national governments.聽 What is with this administration that they can't put in competent representatives and appoint an acceptable US ambassador?

2 items. This is the English forum so other language responses are removed.

Second let's stay DR focused.聽 What happens elsewhere isn't the point.

As commented earlier in this thread there is an uptick in need after the end of high season.聽 We see more people on the streets maybe.聽

I have not seen an increase in crime.聽 I think this advisory is nonsense.聽

They issue travel advisories but have you looked at some of the major cities in the USA recently.

Like any where when economic times change and people struggle, you will have more crime and just need to be smart on where you go and when you go.

I would say the rate of burglary has definitely increased in Las Terrenas, and there have been a number of robberies, with at least one attempted rape of an acquaintance of ours. The majority of what we see here is burglary, with thieves casing homes and striking when they know they are empty. Many of these have happened during the day in gated communities and apartment complexes. Most of these are in fairly densely populated areas with easy access.

We just heard last weekend from the people who own the villa next to the American who was killed here last October, that the guy installing security systems and cameras was involved. He has evidently been linked to quite a few incidents and is now in jail.

@planner again you bring context and balance thank you

Again we need to keep this聽 about the DR, not about other countries. Suffice to say every聽 country has its issues.

Here again we see an uptick in crime when houses / apartments are left unoccupied.

OFTEN crime is an inside job. Be very aware.

I have not seen any real increase in crime in fact the government is really cracking down!聽

Focus on more than the illusion of safety,聽 make sure you are聽 doing all the things you can do to stay safe.

@planner I agree with you 100%..I think the US is just jealous because so many people are vacationing here. Just like any other place you visit be smart and know where and not where to go.

You have to be smarter than smart when dealing with corrupt systems. I have had 3 cases this week involving expats and scams. All about the money...and everyone is involved.聽 You need to have really good contacts and I don't mean just anyone...

Can I meet with you monday or tuesday to evaluate my situation. I will be happy to pay a reasonable fee.

You have to be smarter than smart when dealing with corrupt systems. I have had 3 cases this week involving expats and scams. All about the money...and everyone is involved. You need to have really good contacts and I don't mean just anyone...
-@DominicanadaMike

And those contacts do not get acquired easily.聽 They are earned and nurtured!聽