Comments on: Crime And Prevention http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/ "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." - James Dean Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:00:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Allen McDonald, El Galloviejo® http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41303 Allen McDonald, El Galloviejo® Thu, 01 May 2008 00:55:05 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41303 ¡ Hola Don Ray et al ! Jack mentioned using a mail forwarder. Here is an excellent one, Panama Net Buy, that I used quite successfully when I was a Boquetanian – http://www.panamanetbuy.com:8080/web/entrega/ Here's the same page translated into inglés – http://tinyurl.com/5jjpue Either of those pages can be used to get a bottom line quote on the transaction when U furnish the total amount and the weight. Just enter that information by clicking on 'Calculator' in the inglés version or 'Calculadora' in the español version. No credit card is needed. U make a deposit to their bank account to initiate the transaction, they then notify U of the balance due when Ur shipment arrives. Allen McDonald, El Galloviejo® ¡ Hola Don Ray et al !
Jack mentioned using a mail forwarder.
Here is an excellent one, Panama Net Buy, that I used quite successfully when I was a Boquetanian –
http://www.panamanetbuy.com:8080/web/entrega/
Here’s the same page translated into inglés –
http://tinyurl.com/5jjpue
Either of those pages can be used to get a bottom line quote on the transaction when U furnish the total amount and the weight. Just enter that information by clicking on ‘Calculator’ in the inglés version or ‘Calculadora’ in the español version. No credit card is needed. U make a deposit to their bank account to initiate the transaction, they then notify U of the balance due when Ur shipment arrives.
Allen McDonald, El Galloviejo®

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41294 Don Ray Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:39:09 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41294 Hi Jeff. Sorry about the problem. I have talked to a lot of people that have been hit is a 30 minute period. Good luck with your new prevention measures. Hi Jeff. Sorry about the problem. I have talked to a lot of people that have been hit is a 30 minute period. Good luck with your new prevention measures.

]]> By: Jeff. http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41288 Jeff. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:04:12 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41288 Your article on crime really hit home. Our house was robbed 3 weeks ago, in broad daylight, and all within a 30 minute span while we were out. We usually leave the dogs at home, but on this day, took them with us. We feel that it was someone we had in to do some work, we made the cardinal mistake of leaving them unsupervised, never again. We do not like bars, but as of today, they are being installed, and we are considering motion lights as well. As for guns, we really don't want one, but when your personal space is violated, by strangers, it does give you a different perspective on things, knowing that your things have been ransacked. Your article on crime really hit home. Our house was robbed 3 weeks ago, in broad daylight, and all within a 30 minute span while we were out. We usually leave the dogs at home, but on this day, took them with us. We feel that it was someone we had in to do some work, we made the cardinal mistake of leaving them unsupervised, never again.
We do not like bars, but as of today, they are being installed, and we are considering motion lights as well. As for guns, we really don’t want one, but when your personal space is violated, by strangers, it does give you a different perspective on things, knowing that your things have been ransacked.

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41181 Don Ray Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:29:44 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41181 Hi Henry. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Your experience and warning is a welcome perspective. Hi Henry. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Your experience and warning is a welcome perspective.

]]> By: Henry http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41165 Henry Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:37:52 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41165 Just a note about guns as part of your home defense strategy. As one who lived through the December '89 Invasion and the dictatorship years leading up to it, I may have a different perspective on the value of guns in the home. I'll never again be caught without at least one. That said, before you decide to get a gun, ask yourself if you are willing to use that gun to protect yourself and family by taking a human life. Don't for a second think that simply showing your gun to a criminal will be enough. It may be, in fact researchers tell us that most of the time it is. But it's not always enough, and you should ask yourself "When the choice becomes the bad guy hurting me or my family, or me hurting him, am I capable of hurting, perhaps killing, him?" If there is any doubt whatsoever in your mind about the answer to that question, don't get a gun. If you do get a gun, learn to use it, and get lots of practice with it. Henry Just a note about guns as part of your home defense strategy. As one who lived through the December ‘89 Invasion and the dictatorship years leading up to it, I may have a different perspective on the value of guns in the home. I’ll never again be caught without at least one.

That said, before you decide to get a gun, ask yourself if you are willing to use that gun to protect yourself and family by taking a human life. Don’t for a second think that simply showing your gun to a criminal will be enough. It may be, in fact researchers tell us that most of the time it is. But it’s not always enough, and you should ask yourself “When the choice becomes the bad guy hurting me or my family, or me hurting him, am I capable of hurting, perhaps killing, him?” If there is any doubt whatsoever in your mind about the answer to that question, don’t get a gun. If you do get a gun, learn to use it, and get lots of practice with it.

Henry

]]> By: Charlotte Newman http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41160 Charlotte Newman Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:07:25 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41160 Beautifully said, Debbie. During all of our trips to Panama while researching our decision to move there, and taking care of getting pensionado visas, etc., we've had wonderful interactions with 99 & 9/10% of all Panamanians, from the hotel staff where we usually stay in Panama City, some of whom became "amigos" who we could chat with and joke with, much to our delight. Shop keepers, "getaway" cabin owners in the mountains, restaurant staff, and local folk just strolling down the road. Name a situation. Name an occupation, great warm people. What a wonderful, vibrant, gracious meld there is in Panama. My Spanish is still "baby" Spanish, but I spoke as much and as well as able at this point, and continue to study. And this was very much appreciated, and at times a point of humor, especially when I had to resort to "interpretive dance" to stumble my point across. No desire to isolate. Much desire for immersion. We've been really sad everytime we've had to leave in order to tackle the next phase back in the U.S. to prepare for our final arrival to Panama. Charlotte Beautifully said, Debbie.
During all of our trips to Panama while researching our decision to move there, and taking care of getting pensionado visas, etc., we’ve had wonderful interactions with 99 & 9/10% of all Panamanians, from the hotel staff where we usually stay in Panama City, some of whom became “amigos” who we could chat with and joke with, much to our delight.
Shop keepers, “getaway” cabin owners in the mountains, restaurant staff, and local folk just strolling down the road. Name a situation. Name an occupation, great warm people. What a wonderful, vibrant, gracious meld there is in Panama.
My Spanish is still “baby” Spanish, but I spoke as much and as well as able at this point, and continue to study. And this was very much appreciated, and at times a point of humor, especially when I had to resort to “interpretive dance” to stumble my point across. No desire to isolate. Much desire for immersion. We’ve been really sad everytime we’ve had to leave in order to tackle the next phase back in the U.S. to prepare for our final arrival to Panama.
Charlotte

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41159 Don Ray Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:19:30 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41159 Charlotte and Debbie. Thanks for taking the time to leave your comments. Charlotte and Debbie. Thanks for taking the time to leave your comments.

]]> By: Debbie http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41156 Debbie Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:23:30 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41156 Don, thanks for the practical advice. I particularly like your advice to get to know the neighbors. That is so true. When we lived in Nicaragua, in a small, rural community, our neighbors were extremely helpful. Once, we hired two local men to machete our yard, and in our haste to leave for Managua, we left our side door wide open. Our closest neighbors saw that we left our door open, called our landlady, and she came over to lock our door. She even called us on our cell phone to tell us that she had locked the door for us. Another thing that is helpful is to learn the language and customs of the area. It is important to blend in, instead of stand out. Compassionate, cultural immersion is our key to living in a foreign country. I don't want to live in fear. A friendly, sincere, and common sense attitude will go much further than guns and hatred. Don, thanks for the practical advice. I particularly like your advice to get to know the neighbors. That is so true. When we lived in Nicaragua, in a small, rural community, our neighbors were extremely helpful. Once, we hired two local men to machete our yard, and in our haste to leave for Managua, we left our side door wide open. Our closest neighbors saw that we left our door open, called our landlady, and she came over to lock our door. She even called us on our cell phone to tell us that she had locked the door for us.
Another thing that is helpful is to learn the language and customs of the area. It is important to blend in, instead of stand out. Compassionate, cultural immersion is our key to living in a foreign country. I don’t want to live in fear. A friendly, sincere, and common sense attitude will go much further than guns and hatred.

]]> By: Charlotte Newman http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41148 Charlotte Newman Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:08:06 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41148 Thanks for this level headed commentary with practical solutions on the issue. Don and I are in the final stages of preparing for our permanent move to Panama within the next six months. As I began reading about the "rash" of home invasions in Panama, I had to re-anchor myself in logical perspective about what's going on. Your statements and solutions helped a great deal, and reflect what we have discussed between ourselves on the topic of taking precautions. Some of the streaming comments on the "Americans in Panama" yahoo group had me especially spooked. Although, as I took a step back, I realized that some people's reactions sounded like macho posturing re: guns, and blasting them bad guys all to smitherens, etc. "OK Corral" kinda of stuff. Here's a thought, if you do decide to purchase a gun, or guns, for home defense, don't brag about it. Better to hold that kind of information "close to the vest". No pun intended. To a bad guy, a rolex might mean a few dollars in his pocket, but a gun is a valuable new tool. Much more desirable in the long run. I have carried a stun gun, both here in Oregon, as well as in San Francisco. Taking nighttime writing workshop classes, as well as having worked in the bar/club business (in my youth). At least a possible temporary deterrent. Never had to use it. Anyway, thanks again Don Ray. Think my pulse is slowing back to normal in preparation for this upcoming major move to a new country. Still love Panama. (Fortunately, being Oregonians, our tendency is to dress down. Comfy and casual is the prevailing fashion here. Should help some.) Salud. (spelled right, I think, this time.) Charlotte Thanks for this level headed commentary with practical solutions on the issue.
Don and I are in the final stages of preparing for our permanent move to Panama within the next six months.
As I began reading about the “rash” of home invasions in Panama, I had to re-anchor myself in logical perspective about what’s going on.
Your statements and solutions helped a great deal, and reflect what we have discussed between ourselves on the topic of taking precautions.
Some of the streaming comments on the “Americans in Panama” yahoo group had me especially spooked. Although, as I took a step back, I realized that some people’s reactions sounded like macho posturing re: guns, and blasting them bad guys all to smitherens, etc. “OK Corral” kinda of stuff.
Here’s a thought, if you do decide to purchase a gun, or guns, for home defense, don’t brag about it. Better to hold that kind of information “close to the vest”. No pun intended.
To a bad guy, a rolex might mean a few dollars in his pocket, but a gun is a valuable new tool. Much more desirable in the long run.

I have carried a stun gun, both here in Oregon, as well as in San Francisco. Taking nighttime writing workshop classes, as well as having worked in the bar/club business (in my youth). At least a possible temporary deterrent. Never had to use it.
Anyway, thanks again Don Ray. Think my pulse is slowing back to normal in preparation for this upcoming major move to a new country. Still love Panama.
(Fortunately, being Oregonians, our tendency is to dress down. Comfy and casual is the prevailing fashion here. Should help some.)

Salud. (spelled right, I think, this time.)
Charlotte

]]> By: Jack http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/04/27/crime-and-prevention/#comment-41147 Jack Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:49:39 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/?p=2281#comment-41147 Tasers and stun guns are reportedly legal in Panama. The easiest way to obtain one is to order it online (worth mentioning is that some stateside outfits will not ship to a foreign addresses so you need to use a mail forwarder). Here is a link to some information on the subject. http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php?st...uery=stun%2Bgun Best of luck to all finding the tools needed to protect yourself and your family. Later, J Tasers and stun guns are reportedly legal in Panama. The easiest way to obtain one is to order it online (worth mentioning is that some stateside outfits will not ship to a foreign addresses so you need to use a mail forwarder). Here is a link to some information on the subject. http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php?st…uery=stun%2Bgun

Best of luck to all finding the tools needed to protect yourself and your family.

Later,
J

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