rod
Global Moderator
Yigüerro
Karma: 0
 Offline
Posts: 8
|
 |
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2007, 09:07:31 AM » |
|
Dear Big Red,
Costa Rica is like any other country, more violent than it was 30 years ago. Then, violent crime rated headlines in the local media because of its rarity. On the other hand, common sense should rule your stay here. The people here are so friendly that it's easy to be lulled into doing risky things you'd never do in your hometown or nearest city. Some areas are rough and I, who as a restaraunt and enertainment columnist, used to roam around the capital at all hours, now do not go into the metropolitan area at night unless by car or taxi. Some journalists, remembering how it was 30 years ago, take an alarmist view and, besides, crime sells newspapers. In 35 years here, I've had my pocket picked once downtown--remember, the metro area contains more than a million and a half people, more than enough to supports some crime.
Kidnapping always rates headlines here because it's rare. Petty theft, alas, isn't. Burglary of parked cars is popular among the amateurs but carjackings are, unfortunately, not rare although I cannot remember a single case of a carjack victim being killed.
It all has to be taken in perspective. After a rash of tourist murders and random gang shootings in Miami a couple of decades ago, the then-extant Sunday magazine of the Miami Herald proposed a Chamber of Commerce campagin with the slogan, "Come back! We weren't shooting at YOU!"
Keep your common sense and your sense of humor handy at all times and you'll be fine.
Regards, Rod
|
