Rosario who was this report by ? I am curious to know the name of this outfit.........As an example, Rosario cited a report by a foreign company that ranks the country among the world’s seven safest and Latin America’s safest. "Crime is controlled in the entire nation "........Rosario does that mean the same as organized

yes it is just like living in Sweden ...right Sven right Ollie

I'd like Mr Rosario to disclose the complete report, not only mention it. I very much doubt it's among the seven safest in the world. And that is not my opinion, I live in Santo Domingo and crime is quite high.

Dani crime is high in SD? no it cant be true I am shocked

Well it's obvious that Mr.Rosario's interest is best kept in the tourist depatrment.I myself live here in D.R. and I know this is not in the top seven.This country needs a total redux of what policing is.Better education,and pay salaries in the police force would change things some what.But there is not any doubt this country safe ...far from it..I suggest "don't leave the resort".

In other news today, the head of the police announced that there is no crime ( although I do know 3 people that have been robbed in the last two weeks in Santiago, not exactly a tourist haven), the head of education said that the milk given to our children in the government paid for program is very healthy (although tests show that it is whey and sugar), the head of finances said that everything is rosy (in spite of the fact that with tax income growing there is still no money for education), the head of (you pick the next one)....said that everything is.........(you pick the positive adjective)

Does anyone know how to tell the truth?

the picture in this post it doesn't match the dominican republic police.....please take a look at the arms guy holding the guy down and don't miss to look closely at the cloths he is wearing...Not like any police I've ever seen in the dominican republic.....That picture is of a USA cop. phony one for the DR.

You are correct bernie the cops shoes are shined ...the cop in the photo is getting ready to feed the prisoner to the German Shepard ....Dominican police use Coconut Retrievers

bernies, I'm sure DT triet to get a picture of a police but they wanted "royalties" for each publication.

Your right the photo is actually a picture of a state trooper and that is a german shepherd of the many k9 units the US offers to thugs........

But the prisoner sure looks Hispanic.

Juan the dog likes Dominican food

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1103.html#safety

SAFETY AND SECURITY: American citizens should be aware that foreign tourists are often considered attractive targets for criminal activity, and should maintain a low profile to avoid becoming victims of violence or crime. In dealing with local police, U.S. citizens 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. CONTINUE

Part 2
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1103.html#safety

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.

U.S. citizens considering overland travel between the Dominican Republic and Haiti should first consult the Country Specific Information Sheet for Haiti as well as the Internet site of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince for information about travel conditions in Haiti. Santo Domingo and the majority of tourist destinations within the Dominican Republic are located several hours from the Haitian border, and recent events in Haiti have generally not directly affected these areas.
Continue....

Part3
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1103.html#safety

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s web site where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

yes and dont be calling the embassy cryin for makin a fool of yourself and getting robbed by a hooker

Hey man if a white guy was to walk off the boardwalk in Coney Island, it's the same issue as if he walks out of the resort in Dominican Republic man.

Hey man if a white guy was to walk off the boardwalk in Coney Island, it's the same issue as if he walks out of the resort in Dominican Republic man.

Official down play of Consular warnings is proper public response.

But a serious move is indicated to correct and eliminate causes of traveler's advisories.

Simply put, it's bad for business.

My wife and I spent a week in the Dominican Republic in March and saw no signs of the crimes listed by the State Department. It was our first time in the DR and it was a most pleasant vist. Driving in the DR is somewhat confusing as their are not a lot of maps to help you to get around Santo Domingo, but other than that, I feel safer than I do in my own home town (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina). If one conducts themself in a prudent and safe manner, then they are no less safe than anywhere else. If I walk downtown in MB late at night by myself, I am asking to be robbed.

Santo Domingo is no worse than Houston Texas or Atlanta Ga. But it is advisable to be vigalent and if possible armed.

Well according to the Global Peace Index we (Dominican Republic) is ranked at 82 at least we're doing better than the US which is ranked at 97

That is why when I go to DR, I never leave my house without my Guns. My glasses are a live recording device that feeds the recording right back into my house recording reception box. I am about keeping records. If I were to show you guys videos of the things in DR... you guys would not even believe. Ever thought how DR's porns and crime videos make their ways in the US on Youtube?

a after the Hipolito disaster i would hear about crime everywhere and by everyone... now it isn't mentioned so much... I trust that they NP is doing a good job but there are still many reforms to be done.

My recordings if Dominican Guards taking bribes and participating in crimes, I have those videos. I have videos of Dominican married High Officials engaging in prostitution with young women they give a pager to as their personal call girls who work for some of my friends who run and own brothels and "supposedly" massage parlors. I have videos of "Tigres" drug transactions, the robbing and mugging of tourist visitors as I have videos of grown tourists engaging in sexual intercourse with little girls as young as 10, 11 and 12 years old. I have videos of Dominicans violating Haitians and even killings your eyes would not believe... I am compiling a Documentary that I plan on Airing in the year to come that could put a lot of people out of business. From websites to even people and higher ups in DR. More news is to come out in 2009.

That is why I am begging for my arrest one day in DR so that I could expose them all. Easy and patience does it is what they saying say right (lol).

AfroLatinoAmericano ... you have videos of man having sex with little girls and boys.... you know the feds will be all over you for posting this.....

I stopped being Roman Catholic because they cover what the priest do,
I have absolutely consideration for some one who does this and no problem shooting them.



http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xo8qbxUhGfI

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rd7M5uCkAMA

Crime is a problem in the DR .. you should see our homes .. built like fortresses .. with iron bars .. spikes .. broken glass lining high walls .. barbed wire .. razor wire .. even electrified razor wire for some of my neighbors .. ferocious dogs .. watchmen with shotguns guarding virtually every grocery store .. even little "colmados" and "pharmacias" tend to have their own security details .. the causes are as varied as there are experts out there but poverty is an important determinant and co-factor .. some neighborhoods are taking the law into their own hands by allowing vigilante groups to mete out "instant justice" .. sort of like the "extra-judicial" sentences that were quite common a few years ago .. I am not sure if the DR is the safest country in the Caribbean Region .. if that is the case I will definitely try to avoid the others higher up on the list ..

What is the origin of " Crime " ? For the D.R., in my opinion I agree with Mr. Nelson Rosario that D.R. is one of the safest nation. Crime has its high and lows, it corralates with high unemployments and the rise in the costs of living. There are differentials in crimes such as petty crime, domestic crimes and the more violance crimes. The more violance are less in comparison to the growth in population and the influx of criminals that had been deported back to D.R., that may continued on their criminal careers. Tourists in D.R. are given a very high priorities and are very well protected. As of recently somone wants to hurt D.R. tourists industry and I suspect that it may be due to some comments made recently by President Fernandez. The comment was directed at the U.S. If people read between the lines and learned first how to read then they will be able to give better insights.

Well hectorvargas, I'd call crimes pretty violent. Muggers go armed and they don't hesitate to point the gun at your face and use it if you resist. Tourists are a little protected as long as they stay in the designated areas, so if they decide to go and explore by themselves, the're at the same risk as any other local resident.