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SAFETY

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC OR HAITI?

For all questions about Guam Divorces, custody or support, ask for attorney Ron Moroni. 1-866-472-1540.

HEALTH,  CRIME, TRAFFIC SAFETY, AIR TRAVEL

Guam, an American jurisdiction, is governed by American Health standards. Tap water is clean. The few street vendors that exist are inspected regularly. There is no malaria or other diseases associated with developing countries.  Guam has a modern, effective police force, and an affluent, well educated population. There is little poverty; crime is below U.S. national averages; and serious crime directed at tourists is very rare. Consider the information below regarding the Dominican Repubic.

HEALTH

You do not need to spend much time on the web to learn about the health risks of traveling to the Caribbean for your divorce. Is this worth the risk? Here are some excerpts from HISPANIOLA.COM, a website, intended to promote Caribbean Tourism:

"Malaria. All travelers to malaria-risk areas in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, including infants, children, and former residents of these islands, should take an antimalarial drug. All travelers to Haiti are at risk for malaria.... Travelers to rural areas of the Dominican Republic are at risk for malaria, with the highest risk in provinces bordering Haiti. In addition, risk in all areas of La Altagracia Province, including resort areas. Travelers to malaria-risk areas in Haiti and the Dominican Republic should take chloroquine to prevent malaria."

"Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history."

"Food and Waterborne Diseases . Avoid buying food or drink from street vendors, because it is relatively easy for such food to become contaminated.

Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout the Caribbean and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage ( hepatitis). Illness caused by a parasitic worm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) can occur in this region. People can get infected by eating raw or undercooked snails or slugs that are infected with the parasite."

"Other Disease Risks

Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes in this region. Protecting yourself against insect bites will help to prevent this disease.

  Cutaneous larval migrans is a risk for travelers with exposures on beaches and leptospirosis is present. Anthrax occurs in Haiti . Other infections that tend to occur more often in longer-term travelers (or immigrants from this region) include lymphatic filariasis ( Dominican Republic and Haiti ), cutaneous leishmaniais ( Dominican Republic ), tuberculosis ( Haiti ), HIV ( Haiti ), and hepatitis B ( Haiti and the Dominican Republic ). There remains very limited risk of schistosomiasis in few areas. Other hazards for travelers include toxic fish poisoning..."

"Recommended Vaccinations.

"The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to The Caribbean. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
• Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
• Malaria: if you are traveling to a malaria-risk area in this region, see your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to the Caribbean.
• Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
• Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles."

From the  website of the .Hospital for Tropical Diseases regarding the Dominican Republic:

• Food- and water-borne diseases: Quite a few diseases, including hepatitis A and typhoid fever, are transmitted by unsanitary food handling procedures and contaminated water. Food and beverage precautions are essential in order to reduce chance of illness. Anti-diarrheal drugs may be prescribed by your provider. Ciguatera poisoning is prevalent and results from eating reef fish such as grouper, snapper, amberjack, and barracuda. The toxin remains even when fish is well cooked.
• Tuberculosis is common in all developing countries. However, this country has a prevalence of over 100 cases per 100,000 population, the highest WHO risk category.

CRIME

The U.S. State Department provides this advisory for US citizens traveling to the Dominican Republic:

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.  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 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.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, 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.

CRIME:  Crime continues to be a problem throughout the Dominican Republic.  Street crime and petty theft involving U.S. tourists does occur, and precautions should be taken to avoid becoming a target.  While pick pocketing and mugging are the most common crimes against tourists, reports of violence against both foreigners and locals are growing.  Criminals can be dangerous and visitors walking the streets should always be aware of their surroundings.  Valuables left unattended in parked automobiles, on beaches and in other public places are vulnerable to theft, and reports of car theft have increased.  Cellular telephones should be carried in a pocket rather than on a belt or in a purse.  One common method of street robbery is for at least one person on a moped (often coasting with the engine turned off so as not to draw attention) to approach a pedestrian, grab his or her cell phone, purse or backpack, and then speed away.  This type of robbery is particularly dangerous because the motorcyclist reaches the intended victim at 15–20 miles per hour and often knocks the victim to the ground.

Many criminals have weapons and are likely to use them if they meet resistance.  Be wary of strangers, especially those who seek you out at celebrations or nightspots.  Traveling and moving about in a group is advisable.  The dangers present in the Dominican Republic, even in resort areas, are similar to those of many major U.S. cities.  Expensive jewelry attracts attention and could prompt a robbery attempt.  Limiting the cash and credit cards carried on your person and storing valuables, wallet items, and passports in a safe place is recommended.

Burglaries of private residences continue to be reported as well as crimes of violence.  Criminals may also misrepresent themselves in an effort to gain access to your residence or hotel room.  In one 2005 homicide, a U.S. citizen was murdered by two men who posed as repairmen to gain access to the apartment.  In another, the Dominican police arrested the building’s actual maintenance man and an accomplice for the crime.  The U.S. Embassy is also aware of three cases since June 2003 in which American citizens were kidnapped and held for ransom.

Since early 2004, the U.S. Embassy has received a growing number of reports from Americans who have been stopped while driving and asked for “donations” by someone who may appear to be a police officer before they would be allowed to continue on their way.  Usually, the person(s) stopping the American drivers had approached from behind on a motorcycle; several of these motorcyclists pulled up alongside the driver's window and indicated that they were carrying a firearm.  In some cases, the perpetrators were dressed in the light green uniform of “AMET,” the Dominican traffic police; however, they often seemed too young to be police officers or wore ill-fitting uniforms that might have been stolen.  In another incident, individuals dressed in military fatigues told the victim they were police and requested the victim to follow them to the police station prior to robbing him.  Such incidents should be reported to the police and the Consular Section.  If Dominican police stop an American driver for a traffic violation, the driver should request a traffic ticket rather than paying an on-the-spot fine.  The driver also has the right to ask police for identification. New regulations require police to wear a nametag with their last name. While everyone driving in the Dominican Republic should abide by traffic laws and the instructions of legitimate authorities, Americans finding themselves in the aforementioned scenarios should exercise caution.  In general, drivers should keep their doors locked and windows closed at all times and leave themselves an escape route when stopping in traffic in the event of an accident or other threat. 

In 2006, the U.S. Embassy received reports of Americans and others who were victims of vehicular-armed robberies in the northern provinces of the Dominican Republic.   At least three of the reports indicate the victims were intercepted during the morning hours, when there was little other traffic, while driving on rural highways connecting Santiago and Puerto Plata.  Drivers should exercise extreme caution when driving at night and use major highways when possible.

Many public transportation vehicles are unsafe, especially the route taxis or “carros publicos” in urban areas.  These are privately owned vehicles that run along certain routes, can take up to six or more passengers, and are inexpensive.  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.  The U.S. Embassy is also aware of at least one incident in which the driver of a “motoconcho” (motorcycle taxi) robbed an American passenger.  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.  With respect to taxis, visitors to the Dominican Republic are strongly advised 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.

Credit card fraud is common and recent reports indicate that its incidence has increased significantly.  The U.S. Embassy strongly advises Americans to restrict severely the use of credit/debit cards in the Dominican Republic.  The increase in credit card fraud is particularly pronounced in the eastern resort areas of the Dominican Republic.  According to reports, store workers, restaurant service staff and hotel employees may conceal devices that can instantly record the credit card information.  Often, this device appears to be a normal card reader used by businesses.  Credit or debit cards should be carefully protected and never allowed out of the owner’s sight.  Stolen cards are often used to the maximum amount before the victims are able to contact the bank.  Victims of credit card fraud should contact the bank that issued the credit card immediately.  It is advisable to 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.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are present throughout Santo Domingo and other major cities.  However, as with credit cards, the use of ATMs should be minimized as a means of avoiding theft or misuse.  One local ATM fraud scheme involves sticking photographic film or pieces of paper in the card feeder of the ATM so that an inserted card becomes jammed.  Once the card owner has concluded the card is irretrievable, the thieves extract both the jamming material and the card, which they then use.  There are other ATM scams as well.  Exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM card.

Sounds like a fun place!

TRAFFIC SAFETY

From FAMILYMANAGEMENT.COM:

"Traffic laws are similar to those in the United States, but undisciplined driving is common, due to a lack of adequate traffic controls.

A local traffic custom is that the larger the vehicle, the greater the right of way, regardless of the traffic laws. Driving is aggressive and erratic, and drivers often do not yield the right of way even when road signs or signals indicate they should. Defensive driving is advised at all times. Travel at night on inter-city highways and in rural areas should be avoided, due to vehicles being driven at excessive speeds, often with malfunctioning headlights or taillights. Turning right on red lights is permitted, but it should be done with caution.

Motorcycles and motor scooters are ubiquitous in the Dominican Republic and are often driven erratically. While helmets for motorcyclists are required by law, the law is not enforced.

AIR TRAVEL SAFETY

From FAMILYMANAGEMENT.COM:

"The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the Dominican Republic's civil aviation authority as Category 2 - not in compliance with international aviation safety standards for the oversight of the Dominican Republic's air carrier operations. While consultations to correct the deficiencies are ongoing, the Dominican Republic air carriers currently flying to the U.S. will be subject to heightened FAA surveillance. No additional flights or new service to the United States by the Dominican Republic's air carriers will be permitted unless they arrange to have the flights conducted by an air carrier from a country meeting international safety standards."

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