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Crime and Theft in Costa Rica
Attracting perhaps over a few million tourists every year, Costa
Rica, though being considered the paradise on earth also has its own
set of drawbacks that often become the cause of distress for the
visitors from outside. To be plainer, we are talking about the
groups who are the polar opposites of the more common law-abiding
Costa Ricans; with theft being the offence committed mostly, the
list continues up to scams and sometimes, forceful takeovers of
belongings, but hardly does anything occurs as serious as a
homicide.
Surveys have made it evident that most of the crimes occur around
the high-concentration nightlife localities; the next in the list
are the deserted properties and undeveloped lands that are plentiful
in Costa Rica. The same applies as well to the modes of public
transportation and instances have been recorded about the pilferage
of personal belongings.
The crowded tourist spots also make the
breeding ground for similar offences as well as the resort areas.
Evident from the information that the US Embassy in San Jose
received between December 2005 and April 2006 about lootings on the
Inter-American Highway, there are groups of armed men who target the
tourists; though there are no reports of life-threatening
situations, but almost all of the victims ended up losing their
valuables.
All of the events occurred between 10 PM and midnight;
this alone proves that appropriate precautions must be taken while
traveling late at night or on the less-crowded streets in San Jose.
Under such circumstances, it is advised that the victim(s) report(s)
the incident (loss or theft) to the local police and then bring it
under the concern of the Embassy or Consulate. That way, it becomes
easier finding the appropriate medical cares, establishing contact
with known people and arranging for funds.
Moreover, the consular
officers can offer great help in understanding the local criminal
justice process; if an attorney is required, a reference from the
Consulate can ease up the task up to a great extent.
Till now, we spoke about the Costa Ricans who dwell on the wrong
side of the law, but examples are galore that visitors to the
country also go against the normal rules; though only a handful and
apparently less severe than inflicting damage upon others, but
nevertheless, these acts are also regarded as serious crimes like
the rest of the world, especially if it involves drugs, pornography
and pedophilia.
One must keep in mind that while in a foreign land, a person is
subjected to the law and order of the country that may and most of
the times differ from the law and order of the visitor's resident
country. This also bars affording the protection(s), which could
have been availed easily in one's own country.
Penalties may include
more severe steps and the excuse of not knowing it is not going to
take the offender anywhere; at the best, it shall result in
expelling, arrests and/or imprisonment.
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