Bad Ending to Otherwise Good Bonaire Trip

[DandyDon]

"loquacious"...?

 

[jd950]

...the majority of Bonaire's visitors have absolutely no inclination nor desire to post on a public chat board. I know this first hand.

But this cuts both ways. Is the crime problem overstated or understated? How many people simply never report a theft and never go to scubaboard to discuss it. Bonaire Talk implemented a rule that prohibits discussing a crime unless the poster has a police report and will fax it to the board owners as proof first. They deny it is for that reason, but clearly it is to keep a lid on crime reports. It is things like that rule and the quantity of broken window glass at dive sites, and the guards in apartment parking lots, and other securtity measures that influences me, in addition to believable e reports. I have also seen some official crime stats from Bonaire, and they are not good.

But again, the thefts from cars is a world apart from having people rummaging around in your rooom while you sleep.

I am in the camp that does go to Bonaire, but I do it despite the problems, not because I don't believe they exist. Maybe that makes me part of the problem.

 

[ianr33]

You are suggesting the there is NO crime on either island? Ever? I suppose that is possible, but more likely just a rare occurrence?

Dont know if there is *never* any crime in these places but I do know that when I went to Saba we were not given a key to the room and left it unlocked all week.

That is an interesting contrast to the "fortifications" being installed in Bonaire to stop intruders. Its kind of ironic that both Saba and Bonaire are Dutch islands but very diffeent in many ways.

 

[morecowbells]

Dont know if there is *never* any crime in these places but I do know that when I went to Saba we were not given a key to the room and left it unlocked all week.

When we were in Saba Mar 2008 we were eating dinner with another couple we met on the island. When they arrived back to their cottage the whole place had been trashed along with stolen wallets and passports. They had to jump through all kinds of hoops to fly back to the states. Granted this was a very unusual occurance in Saba and many people were stunned by it. It goes to show that you cannot let your guard down no matter where you go. One of the worst places that I visited for car breaks- ins was probably in Maui.

It seems that places where there is a high number of auto break ins the police could set up a 'sting' car in an area with a reputation for this type of thing. Tempt the would be thug's with a cell phone, I- pod and laptop in the car and discreetly watch/record the break in and violla, you have your evidence. Arrest them on the spot.

 

[ReefHound]

Don,

Our property IS in the process of being "fortified". The cameras have arrived (waiting to go through customs), the pick proof locks are in, and the telephone system is being worked by the phone company. FYI, our parking lot is fully lit and all other lighting around the rest of the property is on timers so the minute it gets "dusky" out, the lights go on all over!
Liz

Just curious, didn't see anything about dead bolt locks. They are simple and cheap, no reason for any room not to have them for the security of the sleeping guests.

I'm not sure I buy into "pick proof" locks. But the real problem is stolen or duplicated keys.

 

[ReefHound]

A few comments:

I have never been to Bonaire but I would go in a heartbeat despite the reputation. I would simply take preventative measures. However, I do believe where there is smoke there is fire. Most of you have probably never been to Somalia but would have no qualms about calling the place lawless and a very dangerous place for Americans. I sure don't and I feel no moral obligation to visit there to see firsthand before drawing such a conclusion.

Bonaire defenders have complained about the crime being overblown. Exactly how? By visitors posting accounts of their experiences? I didn't see where anyone alleged Bonaire has any specific crime rate or frequency. Give me an example how it has been overblown.

Bonaire defenders have alleged that crime is no worse than anywhere else. So where are all the threads from visitors to Cozumel who have woke up to find an intruder in their room? Unless someone can explain why a crime victim on Bonaire will feel compelled than a crime victim on Coz to post about it on SB, there should be 10 times as many reports about crime on Coz.

Bonaire crime seems to mostly be petty theft and burglary. But what will happen if everyone locks stuff in the safe and the easy opportunities decline? Will the thieves shrug their shoulders and decide to get a job? Or maybe start putting a knife to a tourist's throat and demanding he unlock the safe? Intrusion of an occupied room is a serious crime.

 

[DiverVince]

I'm not sure I buy into "pick proof" locks. But the real problem is stolen or duplicated keys.

Reefhound..You may have a valid point there. I will tell you that the locks that we use are all manufactured in Holland & can NOT be duplicated on the island. I know, I tried many times at many places.

 

[gypsyjim]

Somalia and Bonaire used in the same paragraph on crime? Hmmm

Amazing how far afield these fantasies can stray

 

[DandyDon]

Just curious, didn't see anything about dead bolt locks. They are simple and cheap, no reason for any room not to have them for the security of the sleeping guests.

I'm not sure I buy into "pick proof" locks. But the real problem is stolen or duplicated keys.

Any lock can be picked, some easier than others with a bump key. I was going to just read, but I am curious about the dead bolts? Not used, or not available on the doors? Except dead bolts can be picked. I like a door chain twisted to take up slack best; at least you'll hear them if they ram it off.

Reefhound..You may have a valid point there. I will tell you that the locks that we use are all manufactured in Holland & can NOT be duplicated on the island. I know, I tried many times at many places.

You get construction materials from the Netherlands?

Somalia and Bonaire used in the same paragraph on crime? Hmmm

Amazing how far afield these fantasies can stray

It was an exaggeration to support the obvious being ignored: One does not have to visit either to know that the problems exist, albeit to greatly different degrees.

 

[ReefHound]

Any lock can be picked, some easier than others with a bump key. I was going to just read, but I am curious about the dead bolts? Not used, or not available on the doors? Except dead bolts can be picked. I like a door chain twisted to take up slack best; at least you'll hear them if they ram it off.

Not if there isn't a keyhole to pick! I'm thinking of the keyless safety locks that only have a knob on the inside that closes the bolt. From the outside you wouldn't even know it was there.