Mike
Contributor
While it seems useless to add a single addittional comment to an issue where everyone has manned the barricades on their preferred side of the equation, it still baffles me how little background is added to a such a serious issue. Fact: there is an unacceptable level of crime on Bonaire. Fact: everybody knows that and it must change. Fact: the authorities know it as well and want to change it. Another fact: it is so much harder to change it than it seems.
It takes a bit of background so bear with me. More than five years ago Bonaire's electorate voted
to disband the country they are part of. They no longer wished to be part of such a disfunctional country, the Neth. Antilles. I would hope that anyone can grasp the depth of drama that lies at the source of such a vote, but a start might be to imagine that if say massachussets wishes to separate from the US because of bad government, rampant crime, economic hardship, insufficient health care, crappy education, outdated infrastructure, poverty lurking at the horizon etc. etc., never mind environmental problems, basically without hope of improvement. The result of that referendum, which was held simultaneously on the other islands was similar on the other islands with the exception of Statia.
The next five years were spend to solve the result of the peoples vote, but altough close, hasn't materialized yet. What we have now though is a government that has detoriated even further, especially the central and bankrupt government in Curacao, having to cease to exist sometime soon. And there is really no effort to function properly as the politicians are juggling for their own (profitable) position after the various transitions.
Specifically on the crime issue this means there are simply no effective means to combat this pest. Police and justice are directed by the central government (and not Bonaire), dominated by Curacao, which will separate from Bonaire according to the results of the referendum. They simply have no interest to direct efforts to help Bonaire here. As both the central and the Bonairean governments are bankrupt, there is no money to mount a substantial and effective police force. There is no money to build jails to house the perps, and with the disfunctional government to change the laws, we as citizens are stuck with ancient laws, that rather protect the perps than the victims. Considering the above, I must actually complement the police force for what they are accomplishing with such little means. They do a decent job and I have been in the 'fortunate' position to witness that often. On the the other hand I have literally chased thiefs with a baseball bat, thus breaking the law myself. However it was accepted by frustrated but goodwilling cops, who witnessed me doing that on at least one occasion. Guests of mine throwing rocks at thieves to get them out of the shrubs, and thus did the same, basically making me and my guests perps ourselves
What would make the picture even more bleak is the long term. The schools are in such bad shape, with such an instrumental lack of everything, there would have been little hope to a proper education, reducing chances in life. I am in the 'fortunate' position of having to direct my children through the existing situation for now. A sick but true example of how bad it is: The private sector provides for twohundred breakfasts daily to hungry school going children............
That is just the government part, now the more simple private sector part. It is no problem to turn our properties in good looking bunkers a la Jamaica's all inclusives, but most would resist that, and I certainly would. I will not stay at a bunker, no matter how well dressed up. There is however, no denying that properties have responsibility to take.
One of the problems of crime on Bonaire is that, quite uniquely (sp?), visitors of Bonaire are out. They move about freely much more so than elsewhere in the Caribbean, making them soft targets all over. It is hard to protect a constantly migrating crowd, and who leave their property alone rented or owned, parked unattended for hours at a time, while diving, kayaking, or whatever. The situation is a magnet for perps. There is however no denying that owners have a responsibility to take also........
Now as for the sniping on this topic: There is an unacceptable level of crime on Bonaire, not just for visitors, but for residents as well. Simple truth. A victim is a victim and not the one at fault, the perp is. Simple truth. Saying that a victim should be more careful, might be true in some cases, but saying so is offensive and painfull, what is the point? What is also true is that the crime problem will not be solved on this board. Calling for a boycott or whatever will not solve the crime problem. Simple truth. If you feel the safety situation on Bonaire is not acceptable, please stay away, there are hundreds of incredible dive destinations around the world to choose from. Choose freely. I for one call Bonaire home, I raise my kids here, I am allowed to live a good life here. And I am working on finding a way to reduce the problem, rather than bitch about it. Criticism is good, criticism without depth just silly yelping.........
And now there is hope to achieve that on relative short notice. Bonaire will become an integral part of Holland, with the means to seriously improve the above, in fact all of the above, as is signed for, and should be implemented by 10-10-10 with results showing shortly thereafter.
And then, my friends, there will be something other to complain about, such as price, or taxes, or what an arrogant staffer you have met, or who had the idiocy to post........
Thanks for taking the time to post. It's refreshing to actually hear some insightful information for once. I'm a bit baffled how there are other people on here who own property on Bonaire and you're the first one to post as if they pay attention to what is going on, on the island, the rest must either not want to post the truth of the matter or for whatever reason are totally un-aware of it.
I hope things do make a change for the better toward the end of the year, or you will end up like Jamaica. I've seen many posts that indicate there is a lot of reactive measures being taken by owners there to the crime. The current answer seems to be one of the owner having to take matters into their own hands to provide security which will only lead to more and more security measures and more and more of a Jamaican experience.
Good luck and thanks again for posting some truth, it's refreshing and important for everyone planning on visiting Bonaire to understand the crime issue and that some unusual measures must be taken to avoid a possible bad experience.
