Bad Ending to Otherwise Good Bonaire Trip

[ScubaSteve]

Pot, meet Kettle

Here ya go CT....

 

[gypsyjim]

Why oh why do you misrepresent what I say to suit your own smear campaign against Bonaire? :

Barring any real evidence to back up their campaign, it is what they do. Blanket statements have substituted for what normally is accepted as evidence. You will never win such a debate.

 

[Hwntw]

Well I think it's a shame that a decent dispute is spoiled by the use of those bloody smilies, I hate the things. I have friends there ATM, there is no knowledge of the crime on Bonaire here in the UK, I was thinking of going with my wife and young kid, I'll have to do some more research I suppose.

 

[mike_s]

I guess Pifi completely missed my question to him.....


so here it is again. see below.

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' ).

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I guess Pifi completely missed my question to him.....


so here it is again. see below.

He didn't miss it, it has been ignored as so many others have been ignored... How DARE you ask a question!

 

[mike_s]

we'll he's viewing the thread right now... (and these are the only new posts today... so he came to read them..... )


:wavey: Pifi!

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Boiled eggs on Bonaire should only be broken from the big end!

 

[diverbart]

Hi Jim,
You asked me a straight question, and I am afraid I can't really answer your question, because of a lack of knowledge, of the situation on other islands. I have been to Curacao, Aruba, Saba, and St Martin many times though.

But if you want as honest an answer I can provide for: No I don't believe crime in general is any worse on Bonaire than any other island in the Caribbean, save for the uninhabited ones

But really, who cares? This thread is a part of the evidence that the level of crime is unacceptable, where one might also ask, what level IS acceptable? One occurance a year, a week, per day, or per hour? Feel free to offer consolence (sp?) to a victim, by saying "you are the only one this year". No matter what will be undertaken or changed, the ideal of a crime free world is living in Utopia.

However, the lack of compounds may be considered proof of the fact that crime on Bonaire is no worse than anywhere else. And in reverse thinking: the past lack of security at accommodations. There was hardly any crime on Bonaire less than twenty years ago, why build a wall when you don't need one?

IMHO it is not that there is more crime on Bonaire, it is the difference in the type of crime, which unfortunately has an almost symbiotic relationship with the type of tourism on Bonaire. Bonaire is a dive destination pur sang. There are many dive destinations each with its pros and cons. The single biggest pro of Bonaire is its unique shore diving. It means divers can dive when they want, where they want, how they want, no schedule other than your own, and no pesky divemasters to content with (that's the likes of me HA!!). Throw a couple of tanks in the back of a car, gear on top and go! If you think of it, Bonaire is the biggest live aboard in the world, so large you can drive on it. It is the draw of Bonaire as a dive destination, and its drawback.

The increase in crime started less than two decades ago, at first mostly confined to residential homes, until the houses got barred in. Trust me Bonaireans did not know that barbed and razor wire had any other function than to keep cows in corrals, not twenty years ago. (Or to keep goats from the streets, to be more precise, and actually used cactus fences more than anything ) Next target, all those free roaming tourists.

Our visitors are typically out. They don't stay on the resort. The result is on busy weeks hundreds of cars, scattered all along the entire coastline, unattended. Impossible to be everywhere, and to protect them all, especially since the whole crowd is constantly on the move. Still people got educated, so they didn't take any valuables with them anymore. Next target: the accommodations.

The accommodations have made quite a lot of security improvements, camera' s, bolted locks, guards, bars on doors and windows, etc. etc. While it makes it harder for perps to get in, all it takes is the proverbial bigger crowbar. Still while we still hear way too much of break ins, it is declining in real terms, 'cause it did get harder. However, what will be the next target?

So things on the crime front are quiting down for now, until the next target has been decided upon by the crime guild. And that vicious circle is what needs to be broken.

The real change needs to come from top all the way down. A functioning and responsible government, with the will, means and determination to break that circle, with repression, prevention, proper education and the creation of opportunities, which by default is created, by a well protected, preventing, well educated population, in that order of priority, but in conjunction.

And that may be the real difference with most other islands. Bonaire will soon be part of Holland and prior to the transition, the infrastucture to facilitate the necessary change is being build, nearing completion.

Hope this helps

Bart

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

bart,
Thanks again for taking the time from your busy schedule to answer my question with a well thought intelligent answer.

I agree with your statements. Any level of crime is unacceptable for the norm, but I am also a realist. I understand that there will always be some element that; when opportunity presents itself, they will take advantage of the situation...

I also agree that Bonaire's crime is symbiotic with the type of tourism on Bonaire. It is good to hear that crime is down at the moment (yes, perhaps waiting for the bigger crowbar to be found), and I hope the bigger crowbar is not found before Holland implements a big deterrent of infrastructure, opportunity and education.

I have never heard Bonaire described as "The biggest live aboard in the world". I must admit it put a big smile on my face. Your analogy is very good in its description!
---

Thanks for your reply. As one who is almost always alert to my surroundings, I have never felt I was in danger on Bonaire. If I was the victim of a break-in while we were in our room, I might feel differently about that, but I am not sure (Being larger than most Bonairians and some training in defense does have its advantages). On the other hand, I have "felt" danger on other islands around the Caribbean.

So, to summarize (This is for my benefit only as I do not live on Bonaire and do not have access to statistics):

• Crime levels are currently down compared to the past
• Any level of crime is unacceptable (especially to the victim)
• Historically, crime rates began to rise just less than two decades past
• As homeowners barred their doors and windows, crime began to shift toward tourists
• As tourists took measures to lessen their chance of being a victim, crime moved to break-ins
• Business owners have stepped up security measures for their vacationing guests to deter break-ins
• Infrastructure has been severely lacking due to the current government situation
• Infrastructure is expected to make a big turnaround when Holland assumes control later this year
• Measures are being taken at this time to be ready when Holland assumes control

Is my summary accurate, and did I leave anything out?

Thanks again for taking the time from your busy schedule to help answer some questions
Jim

 

[DiverVince]

If you think of it, Bonaire is the biggest live aboard in the world, so large you can drive on it. It is the draw of Bonaire as a dive destination, and its drawback.

Bart: What a great analogy! Bonaire the biggest live aboard in the world. Love it so much I may steal your idea!