Bad Ending to Otherwise Good Bonaire Trip

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Here are the only two statements I made in this thread when it was relevent back in May of 2009

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/4428883-post51.html

"Liz, Excellent for you! I commend you for taking the "bull by the horns"!

It is only through complacency that lawlessness is allowed to become the norm!

Your non-complacency with Bonaire's issues is a major plus! "
In response to Liz explaining what businesses are doing to combat crime in Bonaire...

No "white washing" or "pixie dust", just simple straightforward acknowledgement of both the crime problems and what is being done to help combat them...


http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/4428911-post52.html
"I was in Bonaire approx. 1 1/2 years ago. All seven of us followed the "rules" that were laid out, and none of us had an issue. We made our way along the island and never had a single issue.

We were so impressed with Bonaire that we are looking at time-shares, etc..."
No "white washing" or "pixie dust", just a simple straightforward first-hand experience from a vacationer to Bonaire

These were my ONLY posts in 2009 to this thread.

Oops, sorry... I got a little pixie dust in my eye...

There. For this thread, I have done the search and have proven you WRONG!

There must be at least 100 posts where you have white washed the Bonaire crime problem, failed to do any meaningful research, asked a dozen questions, rather than answer any, missed the point entirely, given people an unealistic view of crme on Bonaire and mistated facts. All we ask is that you reread divebarts post and try to understand what he's saying? He is not a casual visitor, like you and I, but a full time resident, a resident that wants to make it better on Boniaire. Why not join his good effort and speak the truth about the crime on Bonaire? Be part of the solution, not a continuation of the problem

 

[DiverVince]

Well, I really think this is a momentous "first time only ooccasion"! I never thought it would happen but I think we all agree with Bart's post, (although of course we all have a different "spin" on it)..
Nuff said from me...

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Vince, now you are just "white washing" the whole issue

 

[DiverVince]

yea CT, I agree.. I've even been accused by some of spreading "pixie dust". It's only a matter of time before the smear campaign is up again at full tilt.

 

[Mike]

Well, I really think this is a momentous "first time only ooccasion"! I never thought it would happen but I think we all agree with Bart's post, (although of course we all have a different "spin" on it)..
Nuff said from me...

Awesome. Unexpected from somebody who's position is that Bonaire is the safest place in the entire Caribbean. But awesome the same.

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.



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?

Bart's description doesn't seem to match all of yours up to this point, but maybe what you really mean is that you've reached a turning point in all the ridiculous pretending that Bonaire has no more crime than anywhere else.

After all, nothing suprising to the rest of us. If an island has a government with no interest to solve the crime problem, no money for jails, no money for a police force, laws that protect the criminals, nothing should really be shocking in regard to the crime on Bonaire.

Glad to hear it and my hats off to you all for finally making a commitment to ending the charade and getting on the right side of all this in that Bonaire has some extraoridinary crime issues and unusual precautions above and beyond what most people are used to must be employed when visting there compared to other dive vacations.

 

[diverbart]

Before it gets pulled sideways: I love, deeply love Bonaire. It is my home. The island provided me with the chance to live my dream: run a dive shop on a tropical island with a beautiful reef around it. I get the chance to travel to many countries, visit the most beautiful and/or exiting places and by day three I feel home sick, no matter where I am. Bonaire allows me a chance to bring my children to school without getting stuck in traffic. HA!! My daily commute and transport: Put my fins on and swim to the boat.

It hurts me to no end that my home gets bad press. See it is kinda weird: despite the crime problem I DO feel safe, my wife feels safe, and I have the feeling my kids feel safe. I will step into one of those dark pool tabled bars, you know the ones we would never enter without an army carrying bazooka's, in back alleys without hesitation at any time. Bonaire and the vast majority of its people are beautiful.

What might help though: I am six'7" and I am not afraid of those little f$##cks.

And contrary to what might be the impression: There are no marauding gangs jumping all over innocent tourists (or residents for that matter) at first sight either. Bonaire IS a peaceful island in general, but it HAS a serious crime problem. This is also recognized by most of its visitors, that know this. Many of my guests, literally thousands a year, honour us with a return visit, with as much as seventy percent. I honestly believe that is not because I (or my staff) am/are that great, but because they fell in love with Bonaire, despite its problems.

But the solution, a solution to any problem starts with a cliché: You first have to recognize and admit the problem.

The problem is being recognized, it is admitted, and already for a long time. What is the point of denying crime? So work the bloody problem. Which is what is happening. One might always entertain the idea that if you don't hear enough about it, it is not so, but that may not be entirely fair...That said, crime is such an invasive event, it cannot be addressed enough, fought enough. With a disfunctional government not (able to?) addressing the problem, no funds available to mount an effective effort as of yet to diminish the problem, it is hard to solve.

However...........

The efforts have been started prior to the transition: The jail has been expanded and improved, a whole new school is under construction as is a new police station, to house a planned staff of 144 officers. What we have to deal with now is the local politicians, who put a halt to these developments because they want a bigger say in the process. So Holland pulled the financial plug. The matter is being resolved though, albeit under pressure.

The authorities have been under constant pressure from the private sector, on many of whose ( is that proper english?) boards I serve, for years! And while the accommodation providers have also stepped up security, most resist to wall in their guests, and I certainly will. ( I have a small 'studenticous' hotel) Walls are for the perps, not the other way around. The solution must be found across the spectrum, but that makes it that much harder. The spearpoints in the transition program are: security, health care, infrastructure, education,social security, and environmental/cultural protection. With the means, will, and signed agreement, it is going to happen.

And so there is plenty to hope for, relatively soon. I'll stick it out, I'll contribute where it may help, with a baseball bat if need be.

I apologize for not posting anymore on this thread 'cause.......... I'm off diving

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I apologize for not posting anymore on this thread 'cause.......... I'm off diving

I am very jealous! Have fun! But, I hope you can return to answer a question I have about your post here.

And contrary to what might be the impression: There are no marauding gangs jumping all over innocent tourists (or residents for that matter) at first sight either. Bonaire IS a peaceful island in general, but it HAS a serious crime problem. This is also recognized by most of its visitors, that know this. Many of my guests, literally thousands a year, honour us with a return visit, with as much as seventy percent. I honestly believe that is not because I (or my staff) am/are that great, but because they fell in love with Bonaire, despite its problems.

But the solution, a solution to any problem starts with a cliché: You first have to recognize and admit the problem.

diverbart, everyone on this thread and other threads has admitted there is a crime problem on Bonaire. Some of us object to the way others paint a picture of Bonaire as "If you go there, you are taking your life in your hands", while others compare crime on Bonaire to the rest of the world or even the Caribbean islands where there are compounds to keep the vacationers safely inside.

Would you compare Bonaire's crime problems to that of Caribbean islands where there are compounds?
(please understand this a question for diverbart to answer, not for others to make conjecture, thanks)

Thanks again for informative post!
Jim

 

[pilot fish]

Before it gets pulled sideways: I love, deeply love Bonaire. It is my home. The island provided me with the chance to live my dream: run a dive shop on a tropical island with a beautiful reef around it. I get the chance to travel to many countries, visit the most beautiful and/or exiting places and by day three I feel home sick, no matter where I am. Bonaire allows me a chance to bring my children to school without getting stuck in traffic. HA!! My daily commute and transport: Put my fins on and swim to the boat.

It hurts me to no end that my home gets bad press. See it is kinda weird: despite the crime problem I DO feel safe, my wife feels safe, and I have the feeling my kids feel safe. I will step into one of those dark pool tabled bars, you know the ones we would never enter without an army carrying bazooka's, in back alleys without hesitation at any time. Bonaire and the vast majority of its people are beautiful.

What might help though: I am six'7" and I am not afraid of those little f$##cks.

And contrary to what might be the impression: There are no marauding gangs jumping all over innocent tourists (or residents for that matter) at first sight either. Bonaire IS a peaceful island in general, but it HAS a serious crime problem. This is also recognized by most of its visitors, that know this. Many of my guests, literally thousands a year, honour us with a return visit, with as much as seventy percent. I honestly believe that is not because I (or my staff) am/are that great, but because they fell in love with Bonaire, despite its problems.

But the solution, a solution to any problem starts with a cliché: You first have to recognize and admit the problem.

Yes, that is a first step. I can see you really do love Bonaire and are not going to BS anyone. My hat is off to you, sir. Others have characterized Bonaire has having just petty crime and Bonaire being the safest place in the Caribe. Just not true. They have not admitted the problem , so will NEVER be part of the soluton. In fact THEY are the problem, as much as the crooks. Brave and honest people like YOU will be the solution. Thanks for your honesty.

The problem is being recognized, it is admitted, and already for a long time. What is the point of denying crime? So work the bloody problem. Which is what is happening. One might always entertain the idea that if you don't hear enough about it, it is not so, but that may not be entirely fair...That said, crime is such an invasive event, it cannot be addressed enough, fought enough. With a disfunctional government not (able to?) addressing the problem, no funds available to mount an effective effort as of yet to diminish the problem, it is hard to solve.
However...........

The efforts have been started prior to the transition: The jail has been expanded and improved, a whole new school is under construction as is a new police station, to house a planned staff of 144 officers. What we have to deal with now is the local politicians, who put a halt to these developments because they want a bigger say in the process. So Holland pulled the financial plug. The matter is being resolved though, albeit under pressure.

The authorities have been under constant pressure from the private sector, on many of whose ( is that proper english?) boards I serve, for years! And while the accommodation providers have also stepped up security, most resist to wall in their guests, and I certainly will. ( I have a small 'studenticous' hotel) Walls are for the perps, not the other way around. The solution must be found across the spectrum, but that makes it that much harder. The spearpoints in the transition program are: security, health care, infrastructure, education,social security, and environmental/cultural protection. With the means, will, and signed agreement, it is going to happen.

And so there is plenty to hope for, relatively soon. I'll stick it out, I'll contribute where it may help, with a baseball bat if need be.

I apologize for not posting anymore on this thread 'cause.......... I'm off diving

I feel confident, with brave and honest people like you on Bonaire, the problem OF CRIME will be solved. Some of the posters in this, and other Bonaire threads, just don't get it and, therefore, don't know what they are talking about. YOU DO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. THANKS

 

[pilot fish]

No, SPIN is what YOU put on it. We speak the truth - deverbart speaks the truth and does not mislead people. Saying " Boniare is the safest place in the Caribe" is not only pixi dust, it's BS.

yea CT, I agree.. I've even been accused by some of spreading "pixie dust". It's only a matter of time before the smear campaign is up again at full tilt.

 

[mike_s]

Pifi.

do you think that Bonaire has more crime or is more "unsafe" than say for example neighboring island Curacao?


what about other Dutch islands such as Sint Marten ?

(I used Dutch islands as an example because they are under the same base legal system from their 'parent country' ).