Bad Ending to Otherwise Good Bonaire Trip

[ReefHound]

Where did you think you read that MORE tourists go to Bonaire? That a higher percentage of Bonaire visitors are divers was stated.

He used the word "number", not "percentage". His actual statement was "I think we hear a lot about Bonaire because of the number of dive tourists that go there."

Number of tourists or number of dive tourists, either way Coz gets way more, so neither is an explanation of why we see so many reports of Bonaire crime as alleged.

We have diverged into a whizzing contest, form which nothing constructive can emerge.

I believe you have chosen that path by heretofore ignoring every valid point of discussion I have raised to focus instead on semantical issues because, as you stated, you find it more interesting. Ok then, with that off my chest I am done whizzing.

The rest of your post was quite reasonable and I thank you for addressing some of the issues I raised, such as explaining the disproportionate number of reports. Not sure I agree but it was a reasoned opinion. So let me try again. I stated in my first post in this thread that the petty crime reports would not prevent me from visiting Bonaire, just that one needs to have an awareness of the issues and take precautions. My only beef is the way some try to minimize and trivialize the issues, which could lead tourists into thinking they do not need to take such precautions. I'm pretty sure that the more serious crime issues will be dealt with as even the most loyal Bonaire fans and residents know that if those get out of hand, that will be a show stopper.

Peace.

 

[sasscuba]

One small way to alert yourself to intruders if they should get the door open is a small contact alarm that sticks on the door frame and on the door. Open the door even slightly and a loud 110 decibel alarm goes off either scaring them away or alerting you to someone coming in. We purchase these at Lowes or home Depot for every trip and put them on the doors and windows. They are like $10 for 2 or 3 and we just leave them for others to use when we leave.

 

[scubabuba1944]

Add to this the problem of pollution in Bonaire. I returned to Bonaire after 10 years hoping to find the pristine reefs. Instead few eels, no crabs or lobster and the fish population seem to decline. Upon returning I read in Undercurrent eels have been dieing for some time and it relates to a bacteria problem caused by septic systems leaching out to the ocean. Local hotes etc are not cleaning them out on a regular basis. Thinking how important tourism is you would wonder why they let this happen. Bonaire is off my list for good. Those "Scuba Diving magazines with their adds never tell the whole story. Bonaire has a major problem. As to crime, while I was their they discovered the body of a women who lived near your hotel who was dragged off a bike at night and murdered near the power plant. Add that to your burglary and you wonder who wants to visit.

I much prefer Curacao, although when I stay at the Marriott they have guards walking aroung (my friend had his laptop stolen when the were able to giggle his sliding glass door to gain access). Now I always take a second floor room.

 

[spiritd1]

Yeah same thing with us, but the Police and the House manager were not so helpful, and our friends Feb 09, were taken hrs after arriving for 10,000 in equipment. makes me think twice about going but love the place

 

[DandyDon]

Yeah same thing with us, but the Police and the House manager were not so helpful, and our friends Feb 09, were taken hrs after arriving for 10,000 in equipment. makes me think twice about going but love the place

OMG! I didn't think that dive gear had much black market value.

Well, Liz's seems to be the place to stay when I go.

 

[Gugs Adams]

Hey people- we stayed in the Golden Reef right after the robbery posted. One does have to use caution in how one locks the doors and where you put your stuff. We have never closed our bedroom door out of habit I guess. Talked to Liz and she did all the appropriate moves. She is awesome as a source of help and information. We even stayed in the same room that was broken into and did not worry at all as in the US stuff like this happens. We locked our doors andthe first night put a piece of coral on the door know, noticed how Ed had put up blocks for the sliders and windows and said what the heck. Liz is acting on the whole situation with lights, phones and all the things that would deter breakins, including video surveillance. Would someone in the states go to those extremes? We love Bonaire and love our Little Golden Reef and the peace away from diving groups getting ready as we can dive elsewhere. It is just a fun place for peace , info about everything, and chilling out. We will definitely go back there. Caution must be used wherever you go. So I guess it is just something should automatically think about. Liz and Ed we love you. Gugs and Bill

 

[Black Jack]

Another belated vote for Bonaire and Liz at Golden Reef Inn. After several trips to Bonaire, I've never had a problem. Of course I do take the standard precautions previously listed. I do that in most vacation spots both within the US and overseas. Sorry for the bad end to an otherwise good vacation. I'd suggest giving it another try just the same...

 

[heidilotus]

Darren,
I empathize greatly with you and am so sorry your great diving experience ended this way. I too was a victim of "Petty Crime" in Bonaire in Ocotober 2007. The first night I was there, traveling alone, I woke with a man in my room who then put a hand over my mouth and I don't remember anything until I woke in the morning and found my room had been ransacked and my door left wide open. All my credit cards and passport were left behind. I found my pocketbook and wallet-money taken- outside. The intruder climbed on a chair and in my window while I was sleeping. The police were called and responded about an hour or so later and were VERY rude to me. A day later 13 or so people were arrested for such crimes. (This happened 1 1/2 years ago NOT 2 1/2 years.) I went to the police station to look for my property and there was a large room FULL of phones, cameras, laptops, foreign money etc. My items were not there. I was helped by a WONDERFUL victims advocate who works with the police since I was traumatized by this experience. I do not publicize where this happened because I feel the owner was a victim as well. They were very helpful to me.
This experience has not kept me from going to Bonaire. I have returned a few more times and even bought timeshare there since. I LOVE Bonaire. The diving can not be beat! I am just more careful about my actions and bring nothing valuable that is not neccesary. On our last trip my husband's cell phone was stolen from the open truck while we dove. (Never lock your truck or they will break the windows) It was important to have it with us and we took that risk. ON this occassion the police were very nice but still nothing recovered.
I know there are folks who try to shush victims about the crime on Bonaire but it is important for travelers to be aware. Some locals suggested putting empty glass bottle on your window sills and in front of the door to alarm you of an intruder. I met many locals who have been victims of burglars on Bonaire. I am thankful to live in a very small town with very little crime and now I just make more adjustments for traveling.

 

[DandyDon]

The first night I was there, traveling alone, I woke with a man in my room who then put a hand over my mouth and I don't remember anything until I woke in the morning and found my room had been ransacked and my door left wide open.

OMG, nothing "petty" about that one. Amazed that you went back after that.

Just did a 5 day trip with my daughter's family. Gawd south Texas can be brutal in the summer to highlanders not used to the humidity. We say that crime happens everywhere, but not really - at least not as likely on Texas state parks. We have thieves, but they don't like to pay to get in. Left my laptop etc in my tent when we all went to the river for hours, when we all went to the bird blind, so forth - no problem.

The San Antonio hotel was wonderful about storing our bags of camping gear (Emily Gordon, right across from Alamo - great place!) so we wouldn't have to take it to our rooms, but my son-in-law left his lantern and fishing poles in the back of the pickup in a public lot against my suggestions - and I shut up after one suggestion. Amazingly they didn't get stolen until the second night; my shovel was not considered good pawn shop material tho. I shrugged; that was just good sense I thot, so he learned.

But wow! Waking "with a man...hand over my mouth and I don't remember anything until I woke in the morning" - uh, you're braver than this cowboy/Marine.

Uh, welcome to Scubabaord.

 

[spiritd1]

It seems that we keep bantering between petty theft from the vehicles and actual break-ins in the rooms that people rent for their vacation. No one is saying that Bonaire is a God awful place that is crime ridden, we all have crime in our communiities where we live, if I was home and some one broke into my home, I would definetly think about moving to another area. The original post was a question to see if the Bonaire Police and community, that thrives on divers, was doing anything about the Crimes of breaking and entering the rooms of divers. But nothing will change until some more drastic occurs and someone is injured, hopefully this doesnt happen.