Crime and Pollution in Santo Domingo

Crime Data in Santo Domingo

Crime Perception and Concerns

In 2024, the crime situation in Santo Domingo shows significant concerns, with a high crime level index reflecting widespread anxiety about personal safety and property crimes.

Residents express heightened fears regarding safety at night and increasing levels of crime, affecting the community’s sense of security.

Some notable concerns include:

• Property Crimes - Property crimes are a prevalent issue in Santo Domingo, with car theft and home break-ins contributing to a sense of vulnerability among residents. These crimes are frequently reported, leading to substantial public concern.
• Drug-Related Issues - Drug-related problems are notable in Santo Domingo, with public perception indicating these crimes are impacting neighborhoods and contributing to the broader climate of insecurity.
• Violent Crimes - Violent crimes are a major concern, highlighted by significant fears of mugging and robbery. Residents are particularly worried about violent offenses, which add to the overall sense of threat in the city.
• Public Safety - Safety perceptions vary widely, with many feeling insecure at night and when alone, reflecting deep-seated fears of crime's potential impact on their everyday lives.

Crime Trends and Safety

• Rising Crime Concerns - There is a strong perception that crime rates are on the rise, with concerns particularly focused on corruption and bribery affecting local governance and police effectiveness.
• Specific Fears - In addition to general crime fears, there is concern over targeted violence based on ethnicity or religion, although these worries are less pronounced than fears about property and violent crimes.

Summary of Crime in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo's significant issues with crime necessitate urgent interventions. Improved law enforcement strategies and community engagement are crucial to address these challenges and enhance public safety.

Crime Rankings

Santo Domingo ranks 1st on the Crime rankings in Dominican Republic. The crime ranking by city for Dominican Republic is based on a continuously updated index, incorporating data up to 36 months old and calculated twice a year. Cities are ranked on a scale from "very low" to "very high" crime levels, with safety being the inverse, where a high safety index indicates a safer city.

1. Santo Domingo

Dominican Republic

Air Quality and Pollution Levels

Pollution in Santo Domingo remains a pressing issue, with negative public sentiment regarding air quality. Urban development and traffic are the primary contributors to pollution levels.

The lack of significant improvement in air quality has sparked community concern, especially about the potential health implications for vulnerable populations.

• PM2.5 (Fine Particulate Matter) - Currently, there is no significant data on PM2.5 levels; however, the community perception suggests air quality issues are present, exacerbated by urban factors.
• PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter) - Similarly, PM10 levels remain undocumented, though public unease about air quality persists, driven largely by the city's environmental conditions.

Waste and Noise Pollution

Noise pollution is a critical concern in Santo Domingo, driven by urban activity and dense cityscapes affecting daily life negatively.

Garbage disposal and overall city cleanliness are areas of substantial dissatisfaction among residents, with ineffective waste management contributing to pollution.

• Garbage Disposal Satisfaction - Garbage disposal issues have been highlighted, with many areas suffering from inadequate waste management systems, impacting overall urban livability.
• Noise and Light Pollution - Noise and light disturbances are prevalent, attributed to traffic and urban density, severely impacting resident satisfaction and quality of life.

Green Spaces and Water Quality

Green spaces in Santo Domingo are limited, which impacts residents' access to nature and recreational areas.

Water quality and accessibility also face challenges, with public perception indicating dissatisfaction due to concerns over water pollution and the reliability of supply.

• Green and Parks Quality - Green spaces are sparse, leading to calls for the development of recreational areas to improve urban living conditions and environmental health.
• Drinking Water Quality - The quality and accessibility of drinking water rank as low among public concerns, highlighting the need for infrastructure improvements to ensure safe and reliable water supplies.

Pollution Rankings

Santo Domingo ranks 1st on the Pollution rankings in Dominican Republic. The pollution ranking for Dominican Republic is based on a combination of visitor perceptions and data from institutions like the World Health Organization. The Pollution Index estimates overall pollution levels by considering air and water pollution, garbage disposal, and other factors, with air pollution given the highest weight, while the Pollution Exp Scale uses an exponential function to highlight extremely polluted cities.

1. Santo Domingo

Dominican Republic