Posted by:
No Mo
(
)
Date: August 26, 2014 01:52PM
From the US State Department:
Foreign tourists are often considered attractive targets for criminal activity and you should maintain a low profile to avoid becoming a victim of violence or crime. In dealing with local police, you should be aware that the standard of professionalism might vary. Police attempts to solicit bribes have been reported, as have incidents of police using excessive force.
Protests, demonstrations, and general strikes occur periodically. Previous political demonstrations have sometimes turned violent, with participants rioting and erecting roadblocks, and police sometimes using deadly force in response. Political demonstrations do not generally occur in areas frequented by tourists and are generally not targeted at foreigners. However, it is advisable to exercise caution when traveling throughout the country. Street crowds should be avoided. In urban areas, travel should be conducted on main routes whenever possible. Power outages occur frequently throughout the Dominican Republic, and travelers should remain alert during blackout periods, as crime rates often increase during these outages....
CRIME: Crime continues to be a problem throughout the Dominican Republic. Street crime and petty theft involving U.S. tourists does occur, and you should take precautions to avoid becoming a target. The dangers present in the Dominican Republic are similar to those of many major U.S. cities. Criminals many have weapons and are likely to use them if they meet resistance. Visitors walking the streets should always be aware of their surroundings. Be wary of strangers, especially those who seek you out at celebrations or nightspots. Travel with a partner or in a group if possible.
While pick pocketing and mugging are the most common crimes against tourists, reports of violence against both foreigners and locals are growing. Crime levels tend to rise during the Christmas season. You should take extra precautions when visiting the Dominican Republic between November and January.
Valuables left unattended in parked automobiles, on beaches, and in other public places are vulnerable to theft, and car theft remains a problem. Travelers to the Dominican Republic should strongly consider leaving valuable property at home. We recommend bringing no item on your trip that cannot be easily replaced, and to make contingency plans in case of theft. These precautions include: making photocopies of all credit cards and licenses which include the numbers to call in order to report theft; photocopies of passports and birth certificates; and leaving emergency funds with someone at home in case it is necessary for money to be sent on short notice.
Credit card fraud is common in the Dominican Republic and has increased significantly in Santo Domingo and other resort areas of the country. If you elect to use your credit or debit cards, you should never let the cards leave your sight. You should also pay close attention to credit card bills following time spent in the Dominican Republic. There have been reports of fraudulent charges appearing months after card usage in the Dominican Republic. Victims of credit card fraud should contact the bank that issued the credit card immediately.
Minimize the use of automated teller machines (ATMs), which are present throughout Santo Domingo and other major cities. ATM fraud schemes often result in cards becoming jammed within the ATM card reader. Once the card owner has concluded the card is irretrievable, the thieves extract the card for their use. Sophisticated “insiders” scams also occur, where criminals access and manipulate electronic data entered by legitimate card holders at properly functioning ATMs to steal funds from checking accounts. Exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM card.
Carry cellular phones in a pocket rather than on a belt or in a purse. Avoid wearing headphones, which make the bearer more vulnerable and readily advertise the presence of a valuable item. Limit or avoid wearing jewelry; it attracts attention and could prompt a robbery attempt. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and credit cards on your person. Be sure to store valuables, wallet items, and passports in a safe place.
We strongly advise visitors to the Dominican Republic to take only hotel taxis or taxis operated by services whose cabs are arranged in advance by phone and can subsequently be identified and tracked. You should always use the taxi service authorized by the airport if you did not make arrangements before arrival. There are continuing reports that tourists have been targeted leaving the airport parking area and en route from the airport to their hotel or home. Some U.S. citizens have been victimized in taxis while stopped at traffic lights, allowing a passing motorcyclist to reach in and steal purses or other valuables.
Many public transportation vehicles are unsafe, especially the route taxis or “carros publicos” in urban areas. Passengers in “carros publicos” are frequently the victims of pick pocketing, and passengers have on occasion been robbed by “carro publico” drivers. Urban buses (“guaguas”) are only marginally better. U.S. citizens have been robbed by motococho (motorcycle taxi) operators. The U.S. Embassy cautions its staff not to use these modes of transportation. As an alternative, some scheduled interurban bus services use modern buses and run on reliable timetables. These are generally the safest means of intercity travel.
U.S. citizens residing in private homes have been the victims of robberies, sometimes resulting in fatal violence. In one case, an elderly couple in San Pedro de Macoris was violently assaulted in their home and the husband murdered. In another case, a home in Puerto Plata was broken into and the visiting U.S. citizen occupants assaulted, tied up, and robbed. In still another case, two elderly U.S. citizens in Santiago were robbed and attacked in their home with a machete. One died and the other was hospitalized with critical injuries.
U.S. citizens in privately owned vehicles have also been targeted. The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports from U.S. citizens who have been stopped while driving and asked for “donations” by criminals who masquerade as police officers before they are allowed to continue on their way. Regulations require police to wear a nametag with their last name. If Dominican police stop you for a traffic violation, you should request a traffic ticket rather than paying an on-the-spot fine. You also have the right to ask police for identification. U.S. citizens have reported being robbed by youths in uniforms that resemble the green uniform of the Dominican traffic police or by individuals dressed in military fatigues who told victims they were police and requested the victims to follow them to a police station prior to robbing them.
Some travelers returning to local residences in privately owned vehicles have been followed, assaulted, and robbed upon reaching their destination. Several U.S. citizens have also been targeted and robbed at bus stations, possibly as a result of gang activity. Take measures to safeguard your personal security at all times.
Although kidnappings are not common in the Dominican Republic, U.S. citizens have been kidnapped and held for ransom in the past.
More at:
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/dominican-republic.htmlHit expand
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/2014 01:56PM by No Mo.