My father was born in Rio Grande and I visited that area and San Juan a few times. I was informed that all the beautiful wrought iron gates and fenching you see around property is Not just for looks but necessary because of the high crime there. We stayed at a hotel once in San Juan and when we were going to get a bus to travel to another hotel for a show a hotel employee waited w/us at the bus stop because it was not safe for females alone after dark. My father returned there when he retired but after a few years left for the mainland because of the crime.