A lot has been said and written about the crime rate in Puerto Rico and San Juan.
There has been two high profile cases invloving an American and Canadian citizen which brought plenty of bad publicity in the media towards Puerto Rico. Let me write my opinion on it.
My friends, before you despair and cancel you vacation, let me tell you. It's not that bad, I personally feel as safe in Puerto Rico as I do in London. Actually, I reckon that the likelihood of being robbed at knifepoint or gunpoint in London is greater thabn Puerto Rico. A lot of the crime rate in San Juan and Ponce (the two murder capitals in Puerto Rico) is related to the drug trade. There is no hiding that Puerto Rico is a spot for the drugs route between Latin America and USA. Actually, if you look at a map, Puerto Rico is the nearest American territory to Latin America.
That provides a bit of comfort that if you don't get in the way, you will stay out of the way. Sadly, innocent victims are caught in the crossfire/robbery of these drug gangs. Mostly those that live in the "projects" don't really have a choice but to face and be exposed to the crime and drugs trade.
Also, despite Puerto Rico as a whole getting the bad PR, the rest of the island is safe, safer than many American and European cities. It has happened in many occasions in San German, to leave the car unlocked or forgetting a valuable or two and the following day, the contents are still intact. San Juan itself, if you know where and when to go can be ok.
As per the tourist industry, in my opinion, if you stay within the beaten track areas, use common sense, don't flash, just use the same common sense that you use everywhere and you will be ok.
I still think that the police, government, etc should do more to address this issue.
There has been a feeling amongst both families of the victims and in general that crime usually goes unpunished and badly investigated.
Better pr is also needed in PR
Friday, 21 March 2008
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