General Info

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]From Latin American Herald Tribune: "Puerto Rican Man Slain in Dominican Republic

SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic – Police in the northern Dominican province of Santiago arrested two people on charges they poisoned a Puerto Rican man to death in order to rob him.

The victim was identified as Douglas Jones, whose body was taken to the medical examiner’s office in Santiago city for an autopsy, a police official in the country’s northern region, Jesus Cordero, said.

The official told the press that Luz Maria Medina and a 16-year-old girl, whose name was withheld, admitted during questioning that they killed the Puerto Rican last Saturday in the town of Tamboril.

He said the two women confessed that they gave Jones a glass of oats containing a poisonous substance that later caused his death.

Medina and her companion told the police that they used the money they stole from the murder victim to buy drugs and go to beauty parlors, Cordero said.

The official said that the Puerto Rican was robbed of an unspecified amount of money, as well personal documents that were found in the possession of the women under arrest."

[url]http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=360685&CategoryId=14092[/url]

Also from Dominican Watchdog: "Too many tourists killed in the Dominican Republic(Update 5), Crime statistics from December also shows that Dominican Republic is now one of the most dangerous tourist destinations in the Caribbean with 23 foreigners killed."

[url]http://dominicanwatchdog.org/dominican_news/page-Too_many_tourists_killed_in_the_Dominican_Republic[/url][/QUOTE]

My brother married a dominican girl, she was under the impression that my country, Puerto Rico, was more dangerous than the Dominican Republic until she moved to Puerto Rico, she affirms Puerto Rico is a lot lot safer. The major cause of deaths in her family is not diseases, is murder. she lived in San Jose de Ocoa, a rural area. I was talking with Panman about crime and he was under the impression that Puerto Rico was a distination to avoid because of crime, he get that impression by some puertorican friends he has in the states. Only two tourists have been killed in Puerto Rico in the last decade, one who was in a bad area buying drugs and wanted to go without paying and a girl killed by a mental patient, tourists are not target in Puerto Rico. Official murders in Dominican Republic average 2,500 persons per year but half of the murders goes unreported.

I chat a lot with dominican girls by internet or when I am in Santo Domingo, all have told me being victim of some crime events during her life, robbery, assaults, kidnapping, poisoned with liquids to sleep her, etc. By the way, two thirds of the kidnappings that occur in my country are done by dominicans to other dominicans.

I believe I have never been victim of anything because 1) I am very careful, for example, the waitress that cooked me lunch in her house and send it to my hotel on my last trip, I made her to taste (in a romantic way of course) the meal before me, I do not trust anybody. 2) I do not stay enough time in the city to be a crime victim.

The US Department of State has affirmed that Haiti is a safer country than the Dominican Republic.

Thats why I never get drunk when I travel alone, it can easily increase my probabilities of being a target for delinquents.

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]...Also from Dominican Watchdog: "Too many tourists killed in the Dominican Republic(Update 5), Crime statistics from December also shows that Dominican Republic is now one of the most dangerous tourist destinations in the Caribbean with 23 foreigners killed."

[url]http://dominicanwatchdog.org/dominican_news/page-Too_many_tourists_killed_in_the_Dominican_Republic[/url][/QUOTE]Thanks for article links. A friend of the victim had written about the incident on another site; however, I hadn't read the actual news report.

Starting in 2007, after I noticed an uptick in violent crime, I started changing my DR travel routine. I no longer post my travel dates on public forums, I spend less time in Boca Chica, and my beach routine (2-4 girl entourage at Playa Vista) has been eliminated. Nowadays, I keep a very low profile, because I don't look to attract attention.

Stay Safe,
Helpmann

[QUOTE=Joe Shmoe]How thick are the girls down in DR? I posted this in the photo section as well. I like big booties and thick hips and thighs. Is it very common down there? From the looks of majority of photos, they look pretty slim to me. I want some reassurance before I book a flight.

Bodies like this

[url]http://brooklynmusicscene.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/miss-dominican-thickness-aka-mariela-bella/[/url]
[url]http://img002.lazygirls.info/people/jahaira_maravilla/jahaira_maravilla_jahaira_koZx9Qk.sized.jpg[/url][/QUOTE]
You will be in heaven!

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]From Latin American Herald Tribune: "Puerto Rican Man Slain in Dominican Republic

SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic – Police in the northern Dominican province of Santiago arrested two people on charges they poisoned a Puerto Rican man to death in order to rob him.

The victim was identified as Douglas Jones, whose body was taken to the medical examiner’s office in Santiago city for an autopsy, a police official in the country’s northern region, Jesus Cordero, said.

The official told the press that Luz Maria Medina and a 16-year-old girl, whose name was withheld, admitted during questioning that they killed the Puerto Rican last Saturday in the town of Tamboril.

He said the two women confessed that they gave Jones a glass of oats containing a poisonous substance that later caused his death.

Medina and her companion told the police that they used the money they stole from the murder victim to buy drugs and go to beauty parlors, Cordero said.

The official said that the Puerto Rican was robbed of an unspecified amount of money, as well personal documents that were found in the possession of the women under arrest."

[url]http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=360685&CategoryId=14092[/url]

Also from Dominican Watchdog: "Too many tourists killed in the Dominican Republic(Update 5), Crime statistics from December also shows that Dominican Republic is now one of the most dangerous tourist destinations in the Caribbean with 23 foreigners killed."

[url]http://dominicanwatchdog.org/dominican_news/page-Too_many_tourists_killed_in_the_Dominican_Republic[/url][/QUOTE] Illusion versus Reality--Why I moved away from Sosua/Cabarete
I visited the area several times over the last 5 years and loved it for all the reasons that many of you love it. I began living there full time in February. But in reality, I began to see the dark, ugly things about the area--these are random notes of mine: my Dominican gf afraid to walk on vitually deserted beach, car rear-ended--hit and run and the police refused to help, an armed robbery attempt of my house , an armed robbery attempt of Orilla del Mar(my rental) by 4 bandits= a 30 shot gunfight, bandits return in revenge gunfight with security--owners attempt a cover-up possibly to protect their properties value and/or rental income, pickpockets, police totally corrupt, crime atmosphere, the stories of friends terrorized by criminals, high prices, huge fear of an accident = loco drivers, pedestrians, and motos, police actively seek bribes on jfk, police will not protect me. no laws are observed and no laws enforced, con games, inflated prices = beer, food, cars, gasoline, difficulties of cedulla and registration, impossible to buy a house , must rent cars, gas 4.75 a gal, internet and electricity interruptions, supermarket food expensive , security and police are afraid to come to your rescue, 12 policemen raid a nice restauarant in Juan Dolio with loaded shotguns and semi-automatic rifles terrorizing the patrons--because the music was too loud, and dengue and typhoid fever, police persecution of Haitians seeking bribes.

[QUOTE=Ave White Boy]I am thinking about spending 3-6 months in DR this winter. I would like to bring my dog with me. 100lb 6 year old boxer. I guess this is way off topic for the board which is why I posted in the general area.

Besides making sure the place I rent is ok with it any ideas whats involved or where to find out whats involved to get a pet in and back out of DR?

Thanks[/QUOTE]I live in New York and I have seen people carry onto the plane a small pet container with a small dog, from JFK to Santo Domingo and also the from Santo Domingo to JFK.

From what I saw, appears it is no big problem to travel with a dog as long as the paperwork is correct.

Be careful with a dog in DR. Thieves will poison dogs in order to break into a house more easily. Thieves will steal chihuahuas, these really small dogs are popular pets in DR.

Growing up in the States, I was always told not to give dogs chicken bones. In DR, the dogs eat everything, chicken bones, no problem. Lots of fleas in DR, so if you bring your dog, I would have a supply of Frontline for fleas and/or Revolution or Advantage (fleas, mites, some intestinal parasites). I buy Advantage and Revolution online, no prescription necessary and the products are shipped from Australia (total pet supply com).

[QUOTE=Joe Shmoe]How thick are the girls down in DR? I posted this in the photo section as well. I like big booties and thick hips and thighs. Is it very common down there? From the looks of majority of photos, they look pretty slim to me. I want some reassurance before I book a flight.

Bodies like this

[url]http://brooklynmusicscene.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/miss-dominican-thickness-aka-mariela-bella/[/url]
[url]http://img002.lazygirls.info/people/jahaira_maravilla/jahaira_maravilla_jahaira_koZx9Qk.sized.jpg[/url][/QUOTE]All shapes and sizes of chicas in DR.

In Santo Domingo, Le Base bar has one dark skin waitress with wide hips and big breasts. Also in Santo Domingo, bar 305 has some thick legged chicas, the happy ending massage place has some thick chicas and Pacos bar near the airport in Santo Domingo has chicas with healthy legs.

[QUOTE=Sidney]Illusion versus Reality--Why I moved away from Sosua/Cabarete
[/QUOTE]When I read about the murders of foreigners in Dom Rep, it is mostly older foreigners who are the victims, I think of the name of that movie "No Country for Old Men."

[QUOTE=Sidney]Illusion versus Reality--Why I moved away from Sosua/Cabarete
I visited the area several times over the last 5 years and loved it for all the reasons that many of you love it. I began living there full time in February. But in reality, I began to see the dark, ugly things about the area--these are random notes of mine: my Dominican gf afraid to walk on vitually deserted beach, car rear-ended--hit and run and the police refused to help, an armed robbery attempt of my house , an armed robbery attempt of Orilla del Mar(my rental) by 4 bandits= a 30 shot gunfight, bandits return in revenge gunfight with security--owners attempt a cover-up possibly to protect their properties value and/or rental income, pickpockets, police totally corrupt, crime atmosphere, the stories of friends terrorized by criminals, high prices, huge fear of an accident = loco drivers, pedestrians, and motos, police actively seek bribes on jfk, police will not protect me. no laws are observed and no laws enforced, con games, inflated prices = beer, food, cars, gasoline, difficulties of cedulla and registration, impossible to buy a house , must rent cars, gas 4.75 a gal, internet and electricity interruptions, supermarket food expensive , security and police are afraid to come to your rescue, 12 policemen raid a nice restauarant in Juan Dolio with loaded shotguns and semi-automatic rifles terrorizing the patrons--because the music was too loud, and dengue and typhoid fever, police persecution of Haitians seeking bribes.[/QUOTE]

Every year round about 3000 dominicans get deported back from the US to the DR once they have done their prison sentence according to listin diario one of the biggest newspapers in the DR.
Salaries in the DR are terrible as a cop you make a couple of thousand pesos which is not enough to make a living, so they are looking for extra money i got pulled over several times so far.
I have been living here for 2,5 years and so far thanks god nothing has happened to me altough i have to admit i have been exposed to situations were i was really uncomfortable.
And finally in this country everybody is corrupt not only the police i guess you can buy pretty much everybody if you have enough money.
Just to give you an example in the last 2.5 years 43 family members of the CEO of the Corporacion Dominicana de Empresas Electricas Estatales (CDEEE) got high ranked postions into this organistion i wonder why.

[QUOTE=Sidney]Illusion versus Reality--Why I moved away from Sosua/Cabarete
I visited the area several times over the last 5 years and loved it for all the reasons that many of you love it. I began living there full time in February. But in reality, I began to see the dark, ugly things about the area--these are random notes of mine...[/QUOTE]It feels like the "Wild West" in some of these Latin countries. I could never retire to DR, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Paraguay, or Brazil. Sidney, if you're still living it up in Argentina, I envy you. Argentina is one of the few countries in the Western hemisphere, where I could park myself permanently. Argentina doesn't have all the pluses of the Dominican Republic, but it has much fewer minuses.

-Helpmann :)

[QUOTE=Helpmann]It feels like the "Wild West" in some of these Latin countries. I could never retire to DR, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Paraguay, or Brazil. Sidney, if you're still living it up in Argentina, I envy you. Argentina is one of the few countries in the Western hemisphere, where I could park myself permanently. Argentina doesn't have all the pluses of the Dominican Republic, but it has much fewer minuses.

-Helpmann :)[/QUOTE]

Help:

I get your point, Argentina does have "fewer minuses" but at the same time I can't help but remember that you're still at the mercy of a political class that thinks it's fine to default on debt obligations and seize private pension funds.

No telling who or what they'll come for next.

Just my two cents.

All the best, Schwmm

[QUOTE=Helpmann]It feels like the "Wild West" in some of these Latin countries. I could never retire to DR, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Paraguay, or Brazil. Sidney, if you're still living it up in Argentina, I envy you. Argentina is one of the few countries in the Western hemisphere, where I could park myself permanently. Argentina doesn't have all the pluses of the Dominican Republic, but it has much fewer minuses.

-Helpmann :)[/QUOTE]I will be able to retire in 5 years with a healthy pension and still be under fifty. My plan until recently was to retire to the Dr and live in paradise. But those plans have changed.

If lawlessness prevails, and police have no accountability, how long will it be before I fall victim to this corrupt system? When non locals contribute economically but are murdered with no justice, is this the paradise I want? I am now traveling to find a place where a persons life and money are appreciated.

I guess what really bothers me is also is that America doesn't appear to hold these countries accountable for its citizens. Its as if America feels you got what you deserved for visiting these places.

Either your wealthy and part of the corruption, or your not and trying to fly under the radar. But if you [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] off the wrong person steet justice will prevail.

There has to be a place where the criminals are in check. Where police are chasing the real criminals. A place where non locals are cherished.

The comeback of Haiti, the future opening of Cuba, the retirees moving to CR, and the changes in Colombia will all eventually make the DR adjust its tourist stragedy.

President Lionel travels everwhere preaching peace. But he doesn't have basic respect for outsiders in his country as long as we spend money and don't seek justice when victimized.

[QUOTE=Schwmmr]...I get your point, Argentina does have "fewer minuses" but at the same time I can't help but remember that you're still at the mercy of a political class that thinks it's fine to default on debt obligations and seize private pension funds.

No telling who or what they'll come for next.

Just my two cents.[/QUOTE]At the mercy of the political class? Are you kidding?? If you're in Argentina, DR, Colombia, Brazil, or any country below a sovereign risk rating of "AA-", you rent and you keep your money in a US bank. That's just common sense.

-Helpmann :)

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]When I read about the murders of foreigners in Dom Rep, it is mostly older foreigners who are the victims, I think of the name of that movie "No Country for Old Men."[/QUOTE]
Thanks a bunch!

[quote=sidney]12 policemen raid a nice restaurant on juan dolio with loaded shotguns and semi-automatic rifles ... because the music was too loud.[/quote]
let's hope this is a trend.

i can offer the names of at least a dozen venues in puerto plata (where i live) and half-dozen in sosúa (which i don't know so well) which are ripe for such a raid.

i hope the dj didn't escape unrep001hed in the raid you are talking about. being blasted with a shotgun is too quick a death for those bastards. they should die the same lingering death from bleeding eardrums they try to inflict on us.

well done the filth! who said all dr cops were bad?

[QUOTE=Charles Pooter]Thanks a bunch![/QUOTE]You are street savvy, so I doubt you will have to worry.

Some older very rich people, maybe they let their guard down. Even if a person may be very wealthy, best not to flaunt your wealth and make yourself a target in Dom Rep.