Santo Domingo.- The ongoing robberies on the Duarte highway prompted the U.S. Embassy’s warning to its citizens several weeks ago against driving on that road at night.
In recent months attacks the Duarte highway, which links the capital and the north region, have become an ordeal for the many truck drivers and motorists who defy the darkness and risk highway robberies.
In July a truck of the company Corporacion Minera Dominicana loaded with 2,459 kilos of gold and silver ore valued at US$1.3 million was highjacked by several people still on the loose, in Villa Altagracia, 43 kilometers north of the capital.
The assault and other incidents concern drivers and prompted heightened security by the authorities.
Businesses along both sides of the highway have also fallen prey to the highway robbers, forcing many to close earlier than usual.
In that regard, Preventive Police General Neivis Perez said the roads are safe after teams and a patrols were assigned to what’s considered the most dangerous span, La Cumbre-Villa Altagracia-Bonao.
Written by: zooma, 17 Sep 2012 9:44 AM
From: United States
The only way this will end is when the victims fight back with Mr Smith & Wesson.
From: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), The Dentist will see you now
Hogwash i Have never seen a patrol ever ....good thing we dont Have Donut Shops for the copa to hang out in
Written by: riosm, 17 Sep 2012 10:35 AM
From: United States
Soon no visitors or tourist ='s MONEY that will get their attention. Then soon it will be back to Dominicans robbing and killing Dominicans.........what problem ?
And to think the DR want's to disarm the law abiding citizens from self protection.
Written by: super, 17 Sep 2012 11:08 AM
From: United States
please these crimals are partner up with the cops,which in turn killed them when it gets to hot,or the worry that there going to be exposed.don't fly at night and during the day ask someone to pick up cause the cabbies are also in on this please.
Written by: juanb, 17 Sep 2012 11:47 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Sadly, we pay our Police so poorly that even if there were donut shops, they couldn't afford to eat there.
Written by: NYGuy35, 17 Sep 2012 12:11 PM
From: United States
I stopped traveling to DR. Costa Rica is much safer and more beautifu. Plus they have a small population of Dominicans. You can always tell the barrio because no metal exist and trash is either burning on the roadside or all over the walkway.
Written by: riosm, 17 Sep 2012 12:13 PM
From: United States
Super
My heart felt prayers to you and your family on your loss. I hope those responsible get the maximum.
I'm against the death penalty but.......maybe the DR needs the death penalty in some cases. I'm sure those criminals would qualify.
This may not solve the problem....but at least those executed won't rob and kill again.
Written by: riosm, 17 Sep 2012 12:25 PM
From: United States
When in the DR I try to rely on family when travel is needed or rent a car...God forbid any one who try's to stop me they'll meet the front bumper of a speeding car, I never ask for directions to strangers, I'm always conscience of my surroundings at all times, if I see any one again at a different location watch out, dress casual no watches/rings etc.. carry minimum cash at all times, avoid travelling at night, stay away and avoid being friendly local strangers, never travel alone, never pick up hitch hikers, if one drinks never drink with strangers, legally arm yourself if possible, avoid taking the same route to and from when ever possible etc..etc.. and as they say when in Rome do like the Romans. I wish safety to every one.
Written by: DaveB, 17 Sep 2012 5:10 PM
From: United States
I left Las Americas airport Friday night after 1130. Nobody tried to stop me and I also sono police patrols of any kind. For tourists, the real Dominican thieves are in the businesses, like the Esmerelda guesthouse near Maximo Gomez which I left this afternoon. Now those people are crooks and definitely can convince tourists to never come here again!
Written by: danny00, 17 Sep 2012 5:31 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
the country of isreal their murder rate is at 2.3 per 100,000
the united states their murder rate is at 4.5 per 100,000
both have real police depts to fight the bad guys.
if u dont have a real police force u have no real country.
isreal is the size of new jersey. look they have done in the last 50-60 years they built a paradise in the desert.
when is the dr going to wake up and stop sleep-walking?
{guess your not tired yet of living behind bars that protect your homes}
its the bad guys that should be behind the bars not the good guys. am i missing some thing here?
choo choo train.
all aboard.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
I'd take exception to the comments on police pay being low and that being reason why they are sometimes involved in crime.
If I could take the liberty of citing an example of highly paid individuals committing all kinds of crime, some of them even petty, I'd have to go no further than citing our illustrious legislators-who are amongst the highest paid in the world and likely the least competent.
MJEV.
Written by: FromB, 18 Sep 2012 7:06 AM
From: Belgium
Visiting the country for more than 15 years now.
Not in denial that there is a safety issue in the DR, however this is also not be exagurated.
Compared to other ( so called more advanced ) countries, I am quite sure that the killing and robbery rate are not that hight ( taken into consideration that each killing and robbery is one too much of course ).
Furthermore, if you only taken the example given in this article.... A truck loaded with gold and silver last june....what is this doing unprotected on the road. these type of cargoes get hi-jacked all over the world.
Written by: DaveB, 18 Sep 2012 1:43 PM
From: United States
FromB; Statistics are only available in does country square crime is reported and recorded. Just about everybody I know in the DR who's been here for a while says the cops investigate no crimes. There is no way that you can save the rate I'm over here than anywhere else. There is no honest acknowlegement of the actual rate of violence here.
From: United States
I have a solution if anyone cares to hear about it??????
Written by: riosm, 18 Sep 2012 9:37 PM
From: United States
i care....let us have it....
Written by: Tundra, 21 Sep 2012 5:48 AM
From: Russia
Here in Russia, so struggling with bandits on the roads. See the real video.
Search on youtube "Truckers beat extortionists "
But seriously, I think that a special police unit to combat organized crime in general, destroy the leaders, not pawns caught by patrols.
Written by: riosm, 21 Sep 2012 8:57 AM
From: United States
I say lower the cost of weapons and make it easier for the law abiding citizens of the DR to obtain firearms with carry permits for self protection....once the word gets out violent crime should fall
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The only way this will end is when the victims fight back with Mr Smith & Wesson.
And to think the DR want's to disarm the law abiding citizens from self protection.
Sadly, we pay our Police so poorly that even if there were donut shops, they couldn't afford to eat there.
My heart felt prayers to you and your family on your loss. I hope those responsible get the maximum.
I'm against the death penalty but.......maybe the DR needs the death penalty in some cases. I'm sure those criminals would qualify.
This may not solve the problem....but at least those executed won't rob and kill again.
the united states their murder rate is at 4.5 per 100,000
both have real police depts to fight the bad guys.
if u dont have a real police force u have no real country.
isreal is the size of new jersey. look they have done in the last 50-60 years they built a paradise in the desert.
when is the dr going to wake up and stop sleep-walking?
{guess your not tired yet of living behind bars that protect your homes}
its the bad guys that should be behind the bars not the good guys. am i missing some thing here?
choo choo train.
all aboard.
I'd take exception to the comments on police pay being low and that being reason why they are sometimes involved in crime.
If I could take the liberty of citing an example of highly paid individuals committing all kinds of crime, some of them even petty, I'd have to go no further than citing our illustrious legislators-who are amongst the highest paid in the world and likely the least competent.
MJEV.
Not in denial that there is a safety issue in the DR, however this is also not be exagurated.
Compared to other ( so called more advanced ) countries, I am quite sure that the killing and robbery rate are not that hight ( taken into consideration that each killing and robbery is one too much of course ).
Furthermore, if you only taken the example given in this article.... A truck loaded with gold and silver last june....what is this doing unprotected on the road. these type of cargoes get hi-jacked all over the world.
Search on youtube "Truckers beat extortionists "
But seriously, I think that a special police unit to combat organized crime in general, destroy the leaders, not pawns caught by patrols.