22/01/2022
Greetings Security Committee Members & the Community :
We have had several break ins , burglaries and robberies .
Last night , in the Italian Village there was a robbery .
We have obtained information that a neighbor to this residence, believed this past Monday an intruder was at their property , ( adjacent ) but the owners dog apparently ? scared the thief away .
There have been other recent reports of other property crimes. One party did not want to report the crime to the PN the Police as they were told nothing would come of it . ( however Lt. Rolando is very suspicious of an " inside job " )
We recommend , the same things we have recommended before :
1) Make sure all you doors are locked and metal is locked .
2) If you have security lighting , use it .
3) Many walls are constructed so low , they will not stop anybody consider raising perimeter wall heights .
4) Have tall grass cut, if possible if your property touches an overgrown lot . ( there is many of these in Costambar now )
5) Share a trusted Security Guard with your neighbors , and If you have a Security Guard , do what you can to insure they are not sleeping .
6) Report any suspicious activity to Costambar Security at 809-970-7015 or the APC office 809-970-7877
7) Add a Security Camera system , and buy the best system you can , cameras are a real deterrent.
8) When planning a trip into town, go on days that there is a cruise ship , as Tourism adds 250 police or military .
9) If you live in a " complex " meet and budget for a security camera system and provide whatever infrastructure is needed .
The suspect in last nights robbery is : About 5'7" in Height, medium skinned Dominican , blue jeans, white and bright yellow polo shirt , If anybody yesterday recalled seeing anybody that matches this description , please let us know .
We will investigate several cameras systems we are aware are near this area . We also had a meeting to discuss that , the Security Commitee approved in prior years, paying for information that will lead to the arrest of the correct suspects .
The Security Committee has planned to place more security camera systems in Costambar . Right now we have 2 systems at the APC office we have purchased and maintained, and 1 and Rofiasa , 1 at Jenny's Market , one at the construction gate, and of course our main system at the main gate . We need more systems , however, we need more money !! ( our revenues were down $ 200,000 pesos last year ) .
We are planning to organize meetings with CESTUR and the PN to see if we can get more protection than they are providing now .
We believe these robberies were planned and not random , the thief " scoped " out the areas . Everybody has to be more vigilant in Costambar, and report suspicious activity .
We appreciated that Lt. Rolando called the Police station for help when victims went to file police reports . We also appreciated that Lt. Rolando visited for a meeting today concerning these break ins . ( see photo )
We are sorry we have to report this . Costambar has had some small property crimes always , but robberies and break ins, have not been a large problem until recently.
Inflation and economic times are hard in the Dominican Republic . We expected an up kick in crime , when the pandemic started . We have been luckier up until now . Our condolences go out to the victim's of these crimes.
Stay safe , and the Security Commitee will continue to spend your contributions to improve security, in the manner we always have .
Security Committee Costambar
Improve Security and Safety in Costambar , Puerto Plata , by raising money to purchase uniforms, boots, radios, and maintain security infrastructure.
