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Whatever you do grifz77, make sure you ask your car rental place, both the CR and the Nicaragua gov’t sides because you don’t want to be stuck on either end based on information only one side gave you and be prepared to wait at the border.
Here’s some general info for car entry (Nicaragua/CR border) and docs you need for it:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Costa-Rica-171/Border-Crossing.htm
http://www.1costaricalink.com/goldendoor/door-costarica-124.htm
I have seen the change since 1982 and what I mean by that is not only the rise in prevalence, but also the style and how the general public tends to react to it…There are a million places where crime is worse and there are many places where it’s better. I left my car running in Denville, NJ a few days ago and went across the street to the post office entrance to drop off some mail and thought, “I wouldn’t dare do this in CR”…, but the fact is that CR has suffered a change and some of it is homegrown, but not all. There’s been a nasty little influx of foreign criminals armed to the gills to add to the mix because the prey is ample and the laws are very welcoming for this type of enterprise indeed in comparison to other neighboring countries.
Throughout these changes the response of the population (national & expats) has been to add more bars to their windows, create gated communities, use private alarm/security systems and NOT to try to stop the actual problem, but to gear up to individually instead of collectively working against this–although there certainly are communities facing this problem together and doing much better than others.
When I saw my wallet ‘walk’ thru a crowd as my pregnant sister was shoved and I was trying to keep her from falling in 1982, I also felt an enormous amount of solidarity when a few people ran after the thieves with me. I have walked thru some of the most difficult and uncertain areas of SJ and neighboring communities while working with women’s groups and was never once assaulted because that same sense of solidarity accompanied me, but right now the community feeling has been lost in many areas as everyone just seems to watch out for themselves. When I mentioned that a whole house was stolen in Turrialba in a place so remote that no one noticed, I felt awful for the owner, but when I heard that a whole house was stolen in front of neighbors in Escazu and NO ONE lifted a finger to put a stop to that, I felt sorry for that community (or lack thereof).
According to many in CR, Puerto Viejo is a haven for criminals and you’re lucky if your happy thoughts aren’t stolen, but I feel safe and have never even had a hair pin stolen there because when I’m there I’m part of that community, and that affords me their care and protection and of course I don’t become stupid about my safety either, but the point is that watching out for each other is much more effective than walking thru life isolating ourselves behind walls, the 3-4 keys you need just to get thru the front door which in the end only provides us with a false sense of security because “they” obviously can get around this when given half the chance. For goodness sake, “they” have been known to break in thru the roof!
I don’t think the answer lies in everyone taking a Rambo style of home protection or believing this will not affect the rest of us. I think that so much could be attained by those that have been victims of these crimes and those that have been lucky enough not to have been by getting together and working on this problem, but for that, we’re going to have to get to know and truly care about our neighbors something some people aren’t that interested in doing these days and times when individuality reigns supreme…You know, even in lovely CR where people are incredibly generous, you can’t expect solidarity from others if you are not also willing to give it….
Although things may have changed since the last time I spoke with people from RECOPE a few years ago, I believe RECOPE is by law (although this will probably change now that CAFTA has been approved) the one that buys crude petroleum and refines it for CR use. This is a nationalized situation like insurance and part of banking in CR and whatever private companies may exist, they must purchase the final petroleum product from RECOPE so the question would be, who does RECOPE import their oil from? I assumed Venezuela would be at the top of the list and according to this report regarding their 2004 imports by country of origin it certainly was back then, but RECOPE has not made any more info available based on country of origin since 2004–
Hmm…I’m sure it’s part of their annual reports, but not something they’re looking to boast about, maybe because there’s been a change, maybe because another country might get slightly mift at CR or it just may be that they haven’t gotten around to creating this type of report in the last 3-4 yrs—Who knows…
Here’s the link to see the 2004 info:
http://www.recope.go.cr/transparencia/red_tranparencia/Comercio-POSTER.pdf
laurenb, just wanted to clarify something – in CR/Latin America we use 2 last names and the first one is our main last name so the dentist I recommended is known as Dr. Lachner not Dr. Chartier. Best of luck in your search…
CALADANA, This is all extremely interesting, but one of the key factors is a problem, that offenders must know that there will be consequences, which is a bit of a problem in CR at the moment–Although I do have hopes that this will be altered sometime soon.
The whole “shame” thing may be considered insignificant by some, but that kind of appropriate use of shame is how very young children learn to empathize with others and we can all imagine how important empathy is to this process because if a person is empathizing with another person (putting him/herself in their shoes) they’re probably much less likely to do anything to hurt them. If this approach to induce shame in adolescents and adults manages to promote empathy as it does in children, it should be very successful..Thanks for sharing this information with us and people in CR that can help promote necessary changes there…
I agree soflodoug that this has become an emergency situation in CR and I am aware and find it painful that in CR you can’t leave anything unattended or feel safe while walking in some areas. I’m also terribly sorry you have had to experience this first hand. There are a lot of ‘losts’ in this process. First your items are stolen, your personal safety is transgressed and misplaced, you’re left feeling violated, nervous, frustrated, angry and disgusted that this can happen, then no one typically finds your valuables and who gives you back your peace of mind? All unacceptable, I know, but when discussing appropriate, effective punishments WHEN/IF the perpetrators are found there is currently & effectively ZIP, ZILCH, ZERO punishment for petty thefts in CR whether armed or not. This is also totally unacceptable and much more than for the property loss it’s associated with, but because there is a personal loss that should be considered (even when no physical damage was imposed on the victims). I don’t want to have to create a pretty jail (how many barred windows, gates & keys to get into your house in CR?) for me to live in just to keep thieves on the streets, but there is no need to err on the other end of the balance in order to get results.
I guess I just believe that punishments should fit the crimes and that repeat offenses should be dealt with a firmer hand than those that have made only one mistake and if we use the ‘ultimate’ iron fist punishments from the very beginning and at even the slightest of infractions, how can we do that?
Sprite, I also loved that quote…Pura Vida…
There is an inextricable link between brain, mind and behavior — You can’t propose to change behavior without having changed their minds. First we think and it has been said; therefore, we are, but certainly our minds perceive first and then we act. I’m sure there are sociopaths out there that can’t help themselves and can’t be given any kind of lenient hand, but we know that these are the minority in any population. Most of the petty thieves in CR are just that because of the OBVIOUS opportunity afforded them under the current laws and conditions in CR not necessarily because they are incapable of doing otherwise. We all agree that deterrents must be there — Why the need to go for the ultimate punishments (IRON FIST) maneuvers when the primary deterrents haven’t even been given a chance? For goodness sake, put them in jail (and this would be a first…) and it shouldn’t be a pleasant experience either without it having to become Abu Ghraib in there. I smell the need to draw blood in some of these posts and I wonder why?
Found a direct link to post a formal complaint about any transit officer that requests a bribe:
http://www.transito.go.cr/denunciasysugerencias/index.html
The previous link I had given was for all police and I have already placed my own complaint about this matter in the hopes something will be done about this.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that there seems to be a new project that is being funded by BID which will deal with just this subject: http://www.poder-judicial.go.cr/bid/ in their court system
and also that they already have a program to create a more transparency within their system of justice which you can review right on the site http://www.poder-judicial.go.cr/CALADANA, This methodology sounds very interesting. How effective has it been to prevent those kids from going back into the system?
If you happen to live in CR now (and even if you don’t), you might want to share this information with their criminal justice system:
police http://www.msp.go.cr/contactenos.html
OIJ/Courts seem to have an interesting project that may fit with those ideas see:
http://www.poder-judicial.go.cr/bid/componentes.htm
and maybe even PANI (like children services) http://www.pani.go.cr/adpani.phpBecause like I said, NOTHING seems to be getting done so it’s NO WONDER that petty crime, especially by juveniles although it is NOT limited to them, is out of control in some places and they should give some things a try before the IRON FIST option is taken….
Lauren, I’m so sorry you had trouble with your dental work, but I can assure you that
DR. RAFAEL LACHNER CHARTIER Office #: 506-224-1995 /Calle Central, y 1, Avenida 5, Edificio Lachner (across from Letras/University of CR in San Pedro & POPS icecream is on the 1st level of the building) Office 506-253-9365 can help you. He has been my dentist for years (even now that I’ve temporarily moved back to the States). He is amazing, his work is impecable and I have to say that I have never received a novacaine shot with such grace that it didn’t even feel like a pinch. He’s so good that he’s also recommended by the US Embassy and Franklin Chan (US-CR astronaut)uses him. He’s not inexpensive for Costa Rican standards, but is MUCH less expensive in comparison with US dental work and in the opinion of someone that really, really dislikes going to the dentist, much better than any dentist I have ever tried in NJ. Make sure to tell them you’re coming from the abroad for this and ask that he be the one to treat you. Best of luck…The lack of liberty itself is a deterrent, but as we all know, petty thievery will typically not even get you one night in jail in CR so even when they are arrested, nothing much happens. The criminals continue to perfect their skills and recruit peers because there is effectively NO punishment in CR for this type of crime. I don’t think that Ticos need to become Attila the Hun in their treatment of people that break the laws, but crime needs to NOT be the easiest & less painful way of making a living….
I really think that the next few CR presidents will think long and hard before taking a bribe or plain infringing the law because they know that the people of CR will not care if you have been a former president, they will enforce the law and find a way to make you pay for your transgression…That is unless the next crooked Prez is prepared to move and stay in Switzerland…as ‘chepito’ did…Anyway, I think CR is a decent example at the higher levels, it’s at the petty crime level that their laws seem to be quite ineffective and in need of revamping….
They don’t need to go to the other end of the spectrum of punishment when dealing with criminals, it would be nice if they started giving the at risk populations other viable economic alternatives and if they do break the law, then putting them in jail in the first place might be more effective than escorting them thru the revolving door at the precinct level…No need to bring out the BIG GUNS when the little ones haven’t even been used….Don’t you think?
I agree…I also hope that whatever response is finally given to this problem is as compassionate as the CR people are, but with a good dose of enough enforceable measures that effectively deter crime AND foreign criminals from setting up shop in CR which seems to be the new thing in the last few years..Ultimately, if they’re wise about this, it will only serve to make CR an even more attractive and viable place to visit, live and invest in…
You can’t escape the general rise in crime in many places around the world and unfortunately, CR has not been spared. I do think that the police has to be held accountable and also be given the tools in which to do its job appropriately and effectively, but for that to happen, some of the laws in CR have to be changed. You can have all the arrests in the world, but without adequate and deterring resolutions, then even the police (even directors) become frustrated/fed up and just plain apathetic about their jobs–hence adding to the problem. The answers (and I’m sure this will require more than one) may lie in more than addind to the police force and more in making their justice system more “effective” and while they’re at that, seriously asking themselves what “effective” should mean because the most efficient deterrent to crime doesn’t HAVE to be an iron fist, but you can’t expect a system that was designed for another moment in time and that now is obviously NO deterrent at all to work in CR…BTW, not just for the expats that live there, but for the benefit of all of CR’s populations (minus the crooks: white collar, governmental, uniformed or not)…
jreeves, you certainly may have hit the nail on, at least, part of the head, but the other part, their perception of values, that they will carry with them no matter from where they write or where they live– we all do…
wilsonke, If you keep on reading, this site it will provide you with a lot of very helpful information. Now you know that you can just politely say to one of those policemen that you will pay the ticket and they will most likely tell you to be on your way or worst case scenario, they will give you the ticket and along with paying it, you can denounce the crooked cop. Please don’t jump to conclusions, we have plenty of corrupt politicians and corporate tycoons in the US and elsewhere – just think of the many US officials indicted recently (along with those not yet indicted) and the Enron executives? The corruption of a few does not mean that ALL people in the US are corrupt. Corruption is a human condition that needs to be addressed whenever it springs up it’s ugly little head and CR has had the moral fortitude to indict it’s corrupt people, including their past presidents. I would say that more than many other countries can attest to having the courage to do so. I actually personally know of a Puerto Viejo municipal official that was caught stealing out of the public coiffures and given the choice by the CR court system to either pay back what he had stolen or face jail time and pay he did. That would have been a just sentence for all of those Enron executives that destroyed the retirement nest eggs of so many hard working individuals and yet they and their families continue to live lavish lifestyles. Consequently, CR is NOT a corrupt country, but just like everywhere else, it does suffer from corruption and we find it, we should try not to promote it. I can assure you that policemen that are caught doing this are punished. This is NOT considered acceptable by CR law nor by CR culture and if this unfortunately happens again, please make sure you take the time to tell the police dept via the email link I provided in one of my posts above. Thanks…
I totally agree with you ssure, I would hate for CR to turn into some sort of free for all where corruption is rampant and the CR we love so much is turned into some unrecognizable place where no one feels protected from extortionists and people looking to ‘help’ you part with any of your belongings.
No catfight or any other kind of fight required. This is about dialogue and differing opinions, not fighting. You think I’m not listening to you, but it’s just the opposite, I have carefully heard every word you’ve said. Through it all you continue to be blind to the points made throughout this whole discussion by myself and others. YOU got your knickers in a knot when the word “gringo” was used because it has a negative connotation about a group of people that looks to negatively generalize the behavior of some as the behavior of a whole group. In effect, being prejudicial in nature. Just as prejudicial as your statements that Latinos have a different priorities when it comes to families and that somehow this means that this is why we ask for bribes and according to you, don’t think this is a problem. However, you considered my feeling offended as coming from someone with a chip on their shoulder. In other words, you feel the right to be upset at someone’s prejudicial words, but don’t think that your own prejudicial statements (probably because you can’t even recognize them) should warrant someone becoming upset. I still think that you should take me up on letting the immigration officers or any other CR official in on how you feel they feel about corruption just because they are Latinos and when they become offended, you may reconsider or spend some very uncomfortable time doing some back peddling — Frankly, one thing is to say these things on a blog and quite another to face a Tico policeman, judge, immigration officer and tell them how you feel about their sense of (in)justice and why– that’s a whole other ball game…If you’re that confident about your assessment of Tico/Latino culture, give it a whirl…I can stand behind my words with any Tico and you should be able to do the same…
You seem to be one of the few that thinks that every traffic cop in CR engages in this type of behavior and that this is behavior that ALL Ticos find acceptable. In fact, those crooked cops pick on tourists because YOU happen to be easier prey than nationals and if you think it’s only about the $, think again. Ticos don’t tolerate this behavior easily and so they are typically avoided. The fact that nationals are NOT as tolerant about this type of behavior should be enough to cue you in that it is NOT considered an acceptable behavior by this culture. If you choose to continue to be blind to it than that’s your business, but don’t insult Ticos and Latinos and expect me to keep my mouth shut about it. I will call you on it every time. You may think you’re not behaving in a culturally prejudicial way, but your behavior is the poster child for implicit prejudice in people that say they’re not prejudice against any particular group, but certainly act it….You might find it interesting to check this website out: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/
to savedbyzero: I agree with you that this is not RAMPANT in CR, a point I have been trying to make throughout this whole thread…However, if you think that the friendly nature of the CR culture precludes them from violence, then may I suggest you visit one of their jails. Violence is a human condition and even the calmest, nicest person can become violent under the right circumstances in spite of whatever DNA issues you’re referring to. In agreeing with Sprite, you’re agreeing that police extortion is okay, that it’s part of the very fabric of CR/Latino culture and that this is okay which can only mean that if it already isn’t rampant, then it will naturally become so…I absolutely don’t agree with that assessment, but that doesn’t mean that I deny that there are some corrupt cops & people in CR (nationals and otherwise)…This forum is an incredible mix of people…
