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And it's said that Colombia is dangerous for Gringo's?

This is the last part of an article on VEP about a recent home invasion robbery.

You Are Being Targeted: No matter where you live in Panama you are being targeted simply because you are a foreigner. And all you gringos have a lot of money, right? The solution is to make yourself the hardest nut to crack. Don't keep any cash or valuables in the house. Build layers of physical and electronic security. Put in loud and obnoxious bells and sirens to scream for help if you have a chance to hit the button. Build that safe room (and then don't fill it up with crap, making it useless.) And more than anything else, have a plan. Think about security. Talk about security. And do something, anything, all the time, just a whole bunch of little things, that all end up making you the hardest nut to crack. And after your done doing all that work, you will probably never be attacked because its working.

I've Lost Count: I really have lost count of how many of these stories I've heard about and told you about. Home invasion robberies are growing more and more frequent, and there is, without a doubt, an active gang of about five guys who have successfully pulled of about a dozen of these things up near the Pacific beach communities, and they have not been caught. So if you live up there, heads up. But in reality this advice applies to everyone. Good luck, and be safe.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By Lowell on Apr 7, 2008, 17:34 in Friendly Talkzone.

Lowell says on Apr 7, 2008, 17:39:

What a way to live. I did live there for 3 years and was lucky to not have problems like I heard of others having. The biggest things was whole house being vacated while the person was out. With the neighbors doing nothing. The violent home invasion is a new and growing problem in Panama. I'm now in Colombia 2.5 yrs and feel safer here.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

darkangel305 says on Apr 7, 2008, 18:00:

i duno i was staying over a doctors house in northern barranquilla
i didnt not feel safe at all.

nueva york bombero says on Apr 7, 2008, 18:03:

In the area I live in (Long Island), there was a bunch of home invasions at one time.
Every night 2 or 3 would happen and everyone was on edge. My ex was worried as well.
So I loaded my shotgun and kept it accessable under the bed. Then I got this ferocious
canine.......Isn't she the scariest beast you've ever seen???

darkangel305 says on Apr 7, 2008, 18:55:

lol!!!
oh yeah !!!!

Man Tequila says on Apr 7, 2008, 19:29:

Don Whiner strikes again.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

goin_south says on Apr 7, 2008, 21:24:

I think I'll jus pass on going to Panama...

why can't the freakin Chung King Chinese just LEAVE THE FREAKN DOLLY LLAMA and Tibet ... ALONE!

Buongone says on Apr 7, 2008, 21:33:

I went there ovr the Hoidays. Drove over 1K miles. Had a great time. Stayed 20 Days.

lampltr says on Apr 8, 2008, 00:42:

Good article Lowell to prep...NYB, at overseas areas one could have 2 large canines, but still your home will be invaded even violating you (Some of you get your mind out of the gutters, I not talking about what you are thinking jaja), and your family while you are asleep in your own household. Your air system will be tampered with and your guard dogs drugged or killed. Best to have the guard dogs trained by professionals not to accept any food etc. from strangers. Seems like in Panama, there are these gangs that have been in operation for a little more than a year operating around the city such as Paitia, San Francisco and all. Even physically robbing people on the streets at night, but I guess this is the new parity with between the wealthy (new foreigners), and the poor. Sooner or later these people will get their dues as firearms are very much legal there! Is still a nice place, but like everywhere one needs to be street wise.
Home invasions can even happen in Colombia, but being security conscience and taking necessary precautions will place all a few steps ahead of the rest. Have a friend who has a friend in N. Bogota who lost everything in their household finca when they had left for a short period of time.

Robert Jorge says on Apr 8, 2008, 05:33:

It's one thing to get your house cleaned out when your gone. I have experienced that in the past - right here in the good 'ol USA - in Muncie, Indiana. But to be a victim of a home invasion robbery would be terrifying beyond belief. It sucks, because to deter a home invasion or be able to defend yourself means you have to be constantly alert and expect something to happen at all times. Like Lowell said above - "What a way to live." I hope these guys meet the business end of a 12 gauge soon.

paulr says on Apr 8, 2008, 06:57:

I´ve heard it is illigal to shoot anyone who has broken into your home in Colombia? I would have great pleasure in shooting the knee caps off anyone who breaks into my house while i´m in it, but wouldn´t be so enthusiastic if i knew i would spend the rest of my live in a Colombian prison! Does anyone know the law on this? Also, does anyone know the law on having firearms in Colombia?

Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.

Robert Jorge says on Apr 8, 2008, 07:26:

Several PBH members have firearms in Colombia. There is paperwork involved with the DAS. The gun has to be bought from a DAS approved dealer or directly from DAS. Very limited selection. Different permits for different types of weapons, magazine capacity, etc. Ammunition is extremely expensive from what I have read. I am sure the guys who know more about it than me will chime in today.

Robert Jorge says on Apr 8, 2008, 07:30:

Most expats living in Colombia and locals would be of the opinion it is more dangerous to have a weapon as a gringo in Colombia than not. It's obviously a personal decision, but I definitely get their point.

robi666 says on Apr 8, 2008, 07:45:

Robert, it is not DAS. It is Indumil (http://www.indumil.gov.co/contenido.asp) and the army that are involved in the process. about the danger, you are right, things can be seen both ways.

paulr, without getting into details, I had to sort out a personal situation some months ago.
Gaula told me: if you see someone strange getting to you, shoot first. Then we can fix out things. Enough said.
The process of getting an arm as been widely discussed on PBH. A search will do it.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

lampltr says on Apr 8, 2008, 17:10:

Good point RJ & Paul...Here in Italy (Get this/major problems with E. European Gypsies), a new law was passed in late 2007 that if you and your family become the victims of a home invasion, you are not to go on the offensive but basically excuse yourself and exit the building, totally unbelievable!!
Had friend in Tampa who had a hybred huskey. Intruder entered home late in the evening and the dog attacked, both the dog and the intruder went to their respected hospitals. My friend got sued for her dog attacking, but later the arresting officer told her next time make sure the person can't breath.
Good point about Colombia!

nueva york bombero says on Apr 8, 2008, 17:17:

I know why we in the states get sued over defending our house (liberals), but I don't get it in Colombia?!?! I thought this was the land of street justice?

Robert Jorge says on Apr 8, 2008, 19:42:

In the States, if one had the perogative and money, they could sue a total stranger for being ugly. So of course a criminal can sue if they get injured breaking in your house. It is wise and prudent to actually kill dead any intruder in your house in the US. If they enter your residence, whack 'em. If they breath, you'll get sued. The vast majority of these civil suits get thrown out or the defendant is found not liable. But, there are exceptions and of course the ridiculous cases make national news. And who wants to go through the time, stress, money, etc. to defend themselves from a ridiculous lawsuit. Just aim the 12 gauge, 6 inches below the head from 6 feet away with a regular load of birdshot. No more head - no lawsuit. A few hundred dollars for new paint and carpet in that room.

Rubito says on Apr 8, 2008, 20:26:

There is NO law AFAIK preventing you from shooting somebody who is threatening you in Colombia. However there IS a mandatory minimum of 6 months if you use an unregistered gun. So as long as you've registered that puppy, fire away :)

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

DodgerDogs says on Apr 8, 2008, 20:51:

In Colombia you have the right, to defend your property and your person
But if you kill someone you will have to "pay to survive "
Home invasion's are common in Cesar with many Vallenato artist , Ivan Zuleta just had his 4th one this past week.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

lpdiver says on Apr 9, 2008, 04:00:

Here is how they handle it in Texas. The burglars were Colombian. There is a link to hear the actual 911 call at the bottom of the article.

t

"cook some rice!"

docwilliam says on Apr 9, 2008, 05:36:

Markanthony....you almost got it right. The Kentucky statute states that you must be "in fear, for your life" and you can blast away anywhere in the Great State of Kentucky, as long as you can convince a jury of 12 that you were "in fear for your life". If you can do that, you are legal.

"There's no time to panic"

Robert Jorge says on Apr 9, 2008, 09:37:

What's the old sayin? "Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6?"

Ctg Bound says on Apr 9, 2008, 10:56:

paulr,

"I´ve heard it is illigal to shoot anyone who has broken into your home in Colombia? "

If you shoot them in the front of their body with a legal gun, there should be few legal problems when they are in your home, if any, even if you shoot them in the back you could probably get away with it if its at night.

If they are fleeing off your property and running and you shoot them, thats when the legal problems start.

tomtom33 says on Apr 9, 2008, 12:41:

How about when you slash them with a sword?

Robert Jorge says on Apr 10, 2008, 21:58:

I don't know about Colombian law, but I know a little about US. Generally, in the US, in most places, if you kill somebody in your residence who was not invited and whom doesn't reside there, it is justifiable. (Even with a sword) If you shoot them in the back as they were fleeing, you may be prosecutable, but more likely will be sued big time successfully by the perp's family. Outside of the house, you HAVE to prove you were in legitimate fear for your, or somebody else's, life. Inside the house, the fear for life is automatically presumed. There are different rules in places like DC, San Fran, Chicago, etc. But generally in the US, these are the rules.

tomtom33 says on Apr 11, 2008, 05:54:

I was hoping for a rise out of CG with the sword comment as he has had first-hand experience.

Juanes says on Apr 11, 2008, 13:20:

i remember hearing gun shots real close for the first time close to my hotel in central medellin, ecuador 58 calle cercita a parque de simon bolivar when a security guard was firing random shots at a guys back running down the street after stealing something early in the morning toward the metro line....

at home in london i just have a nine iron in the cupboard, twice people have tried to have my mountain bike off outside in the street and i run after them in london.

i could never live with the guily of firing off a weapon and possibly killing someone i think.

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

tomtom33 says on Apr 11, 2008, 13:24:

I may never have to worry about that guilt. I have never owned a gun.

Rubito says on Apr 11, 2008, 14:45:

If I were angry enough, I'd RATHER tear someone apart with my bare hands than just shoot them.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

Ctg Bound says on Apr 12, 2008, 04:36:

tomtom33,

Sorry I haven't been on the board for a few days, no problem sticking them with a sword either on your property, I forgot about that incident, longggg ago now.

Juanes says on Apr 12, 2008, 09:54:

LOL rubito, a bit like rambo in first blood, he only killed one person in that movie right not like his latest where the body count i think is every 35 seconds.

maybe you can go and help robi and ddogs up in santa marta on a crusade to wipe out the under age sex there ?

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

Juanes says on Apr 12, 2008, 09:57:

to go back to the original post anyway, i dont see the point of living like lovell suggested at all with those alarms and stuff. i have some decent wedge but i dont go to any great lengths to protect my property just window locks...if you are going to live abroad like i plan to and maybe buy a place whats the point in those prevention things, surely better to just blend or hide your wealth a bit more while there...i saw loads of these type of buildings especially in big cities in brasil and el salvador,etc and its not exactly 'viviendo en paraiso' is it ?

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

jonas says on Apr 12, 2008, 17:30:

I believe that in Colombia if the intruder happens to be a gringo it is sort of legal to shoot him. If you shoot him in the back you simply have to state that the "pinche gringo hijoeputa" tried to escape.

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

Juanes says on Apr 13, 2008, 17:53:

i reckon the new shoot a gringo on site with plastic bullets is ok like they do in cartagena...especially when they go around wearing those shorts, no socks and trainers

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

docwilliam says on Apr 14, 2008, 08:34:

OUCH, that sure will frie the short and curlies!

"There's no time to panic"