Be careful in Bonaire (Burglaries)

[pilot fish]

There has to be other ways to avoid being a victim? Second floor will not always be a deterrent, especially if it's an inside job. There has to be other methods? Did someone already mention deadbolts or bars acroos the door, supplied by resort or condo? You'd think by now the island would institute some of these measures to combat the well publized crime situation there?

One easy thing you can do to help reduce the likelyhood of a burglery is to request a room on a second floor or higher. Ground floor units/houses always have more break-ins than upper floors. Whenever I travel, I always request upper floor units regardless of my destination (US or abroad).

 

[Mike]

I thought when I saw this thread that this was going to be another dumb ass thread full of dump ass posts about dumb ass dumb jokes like somebody stole one of the stairs again.

Now I really wish it was another joke by the same morons who think it's so funny that tourists are concerned with their safety on vacation, the same moronic clique that brow beats anybody if they raise a concern about dive site robberies.

Well, on the one hand I wonder how that crow tastes, on the other I'm sorry now cause I've already booked our time on Bonaire. My only hope is that something actually happens between now and May and the crime on the island isn't a factor on our vacation.

However, chances of that would raise if people stop playing games with information and simply post the truth, post full disclosure of the details and allow people to make informed choices.

I can tell you I'd probably be going to Roatan or Turks instead of Bonaire in May had I known better. Yep, exactly what what's her name fears and why she doesn't want to post any real information. But you know what, that's reality. If your freak'n island has a crime problem, your freakn island has a crime problem. Start raising hell with your local officials and do something about it. It seems to me hurting you in the wallet is the only way to truly get you to have to do something. Hiding the truth is not a long term solution. Believe me, if I have an incident on the island I'm going to post it on every internet site I can find in triplicate with full details.

Thanks to all you who did a great job crushing the truth, much appreciated, keep up the good work. Keep posting how there is more crime in your home town and all the rest of your tired rationalizations.

I guess you can tell this really pisses me off.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I was diving long before the Internet existed. This board isn't the end all of information. No one has the responsibility to post any more information here than they want too.

Where did you read anybody say that the OP (or anybody for that matter) was "responsible" to post information.

Many people seem to want to blame a particular hotel, home or resort. Good gosh - it's the theives fault. On an island this small, it's clear to me that the authorities are to blame along with those theives. I'm not blaming the police because I don't know how the laws on this island work. It's obvious that their has been a long history of petty theft that appears to have escalated to more serious burglary.

Again, I am definitely not seeing what you are. Nobody is trying to blame a specific hotel/resort. Some people are trying to gather information about security (and how effective it is) so that they can make informed decisions.

I appreciate the honesty of Liz and the risks she takes by posting on this forum. I don't always agree with her but I'm in total agreement on the issue of disclosure. Yes places should probably provide some level of protection but none of them had any security the first two times I visited Bonaire. It's not their fault.

I have made it very clear that I appreciate Liz and her input. I too will not always agree with her (this is one of those situations) but welcome the conversation with someone who is as close to it as she is. I have always said that security starts with the traveller.....I believe the police should make the island a safe place but that is impossible to always guarantee (that is why there is no place on earth that is 100% crime free) and I also believe that the resorts/hotels should provide safety as well. Without going into exactly what is an acceptable expectation, I do not believe that I expect too much. Perhaps it is because I know I am responsible enough to take information about where thefts have occurred and process it as an adult but I still believe that by stating that one should not be told what has happened at each resort, then one is stating that the consumer is not responsible enough to make an informed decision.

I still think the voice of the hotel and tourist associations should be much louder. It's obviously costing a lot of money to provide individual security measures. They could and should be using more pressure on the government to fix the problem once and for all. Maybe they should get together and create their own statistics so the people on the island know how much of a problem they have. I'm confident the people don't want this crime to wipe out their livelyhoods. Change laws if necessary. Fire police officers if necessary.

I agree that there are many different ways that the hotels/resorts could help themselves. If police offers should be fired due to poor performance or being corrupt then fired they should be. If laws should be changed, then change them. I personally do not believe this is the solution (but admittedly I do not know the laws first hand) because the laws are being ignored by certain groups anyways so they will likely ignore and revised laws. The penalties should perhaps be reviewed and perhaps get stricter.

Bottom line is, I believe that the consumer should be able to have information available to them so that they can make informed decisions. It would be best if the information was 100% unbiased but we all know that will not be entirely possible so to get information from both sides would allow

Ultimately, if the people on the island don't fix this problem, the tourist will by not going. Like it or not, fair or not, accurate or not, word gets out and reputations get formed. Certainly the die hards will go but the average diver has alternatives. I for one hope the people on the island figure this out soon so we can all go back to having fun and not spending our time worrying about theft and everyday security.

I do agree that some people will make the decision to not travel to Bonaire based on the information provided via many resources. I do not believe that this will be the norm however.......I think most travellers are comfortable accepting that some simple precautions make the island safe. Anybody that expect absolutely nothing bad to happen is going to be disappointed everywhere eventually. I do NOT consider myself a "die-hard" but I will definitely continue to travel to Bonaire. I will simply use very similar concepts for personal security as I use anywhere else in the world. I personally do not feel that this is unacceptable in any way. I am happy if people make the decision not to go to Bonaire because if the hoardes do not swarm then perhaps the reefs will survive longer .

 

[gypsyjim]

Now, if we can figure out how to get the cruise ships to go away....that is one recent development that isn't going to improve the island, it's crime problems, or it's reef system.

 

[pilot fish]

My sincere wish is that your dive vacation is safe and crime free.I am as baffled as you that the same crowd of Bonaire apologist keep spewing the paradise myth when things are so much the opposite. They don't get it that they are the problem, a hindrance to improvement.:shocked2:

Be safe.

I thought when I saw this thread that this was going to be another dumb ass thread full of dump ass posts about dumb ass dumb jokes like somebody stole one of the stairs again.

Now I really wish it was another joke by the same morons who think it's so funny that tourists are concerned with their safety on vacation, the same moronic clique that brow beats anybody if they raise a concern about dive site robberies.

Well, on the one hand I wonder how that crow tastes, on the other I'm sorry now cause I've already booked our time on Bonaire. My only hope is that something actually happens between now and May and the crime on the island isn't a factor on our vacation.

However, chances of that would raise if people stop playing games with information and simply post the truth, post full disclosure of the details and allow people to make informed choices.

I can tell you I'd probably be going to Roatan or Turks instead of Bonaire in May had I known better. Yep, exactly what what's her name fears and why she doesn't want to post any real information. But you know what, that's reality. If your freak'n island has a crime problem, your freakn island has a crime problem. Start raising hell with your local officials and do something about it. It seems to me hurting you in the wallet is the only way to truly get you to have to do something. Hiding the truth is not a long term solution. Believe me, if I have an incident on the island I'm going to post it on every internet site I can find in triplicate with full details.

Thanks to all you who did a great job crushing the truth, much appreciated, keep up the good work. Keep posting how there is more crime in your home town and all the rest of your tired rationalizations.

I guess you can tell this really pisses me off.

 

[pilot fish]

I'm astounded that some people are still singing the "use common sense" and "you will be a victim if you don't take precautions" mantra, in the face of the evidence we have? Criminals are using crowbars to break into rooms, yanking safes off the walls and taking their contents. People are sound asleep in their rooms and rented condos and are being robbed. Stuff is turning up missing in hotel rooms and no break in occured , leading the victims to realize that keys were used to enter their rooms and steal their stuff. hello? How the hell is that a lack of commn sense on the part of the victims? How is that not taking the proper precautions? You're not even safe in your own room on vacation? Huh?

 

[DandyDon]

Yeah, burglar bars that can be removed with a crowbar aren't very impressive, but then a fire escape is important to me too. I've never had burglar bars; don't know the options.

Scan a copy of your passport, make it a pdf, and e-mail it to yourself. Then you just
find someone to print it for you, if needed.

Wonderful idea! I don't travel with a shop either; usually alone or am the organizer. I'll have to email all my docs: passport, DAN card, trip insurance, etc. I always carry copies in a second bag and leave copies with my daughter, but a saved email with attachment is great.

 

[Papa_Bear]

You know what pisses me off people who yell fire! Get people worked up about things they know nothing about! Yes, I myself have asked for full disclosure and at least one person called and put the questions to the resort! Took responsibility for themselves! Is the problem bigger than anywhere else, I personally don't think so, but the info is too hard to get for whatever reason! I do know that a lot of places in the Caribbean have violent crime and are unsafe! I don't think Bonaire is one! I will return and take all the precautions I take anywhere I go!

Humor is an important tool in making a point to me and others if someones doesn't understand that buy a life! If anyone allows themselves to be run off by thugs then they deserve neither Security or Freedom! As was said before it just means less people to have to deal with at my favorite dive sites!

 

[gypsyjim]

I thought when I saw this thread that this was going to be another dumb ass thread full of dump ass posts about dumb ass dumb jokes like somebody stole one of the stairs again.

Now I really wish it was another joke by the same morons who think it's so funny that tourists are concerned with their safety on vacation, the same moronic clique that brow beats anybody if they raise a concern about dive site robberies.

Well, on the one hand I wonder how that crow tastes, on the other I'm sorry now cause I've already booked our time on Bonaire. My only hope is that something actually happens between now and May and the crime on the island isn't a factor on our vacation.

However, chances of that would raise if people stop playing games with information and simply post the truth, post full disclosure of the details and allow people to make informed choices.

I can tell you I'd probably be going to Roatan or Turks instead of Bonaire in May had I known better. Yep, exactly what what's her name fears and why she doesn't want to post any real information. But you know what, that's reality. If your freak'n island has a crime problem, your freakn island has a crime problem. Start raising hell with your local officials and do something about it. It seems to me hurting you in the wallet is the only way to truly get you to have to do something. Hiding the truth is not a long term solution. Believe me, if I have an incident on the island I'm going to post it on every internet site I can find in triplicate with full details.

Thanks to all you who did a great job crushing the truth, much appreciated, keep up the good work. Keep posting how there is more crime in your home town and all the rest of your tired rationalizations.

I guess you can tell this really pisses me off.

Sorry you got so worked up and angry over continued attempts to keep this entire Bonaire crime subject free of wild speculation and instead, focused on actual experiences. Exactly the sort of personal experience that got this thread started. So much for "crushing the truth"!
I know of nobody on these threads trying to stifle or silence real news and information, but instead there has been a constant desire to encourage anyone with personal experience, rather than second hand gossip, to share their views and observations. All personal experience has had an audience and a forum, it's just the "band wagon" types of posting that has been discouraged, to very little effect, I might add!

Very sorry if you feel the opinions of some who's SB members experiences have led them to believe strongly that a great deal of the prior and even current posting has been simply warmed over and second hand, seem invalid to you. Far from hiding the truth, it has been the truth as experienced by many here.

This entire current thread has been all about a new, and very real crime spree, and how it is being addressed currently, pro or con, and so has much more value to many of us than most previous threads. Obviously there has been an escalation in the nature and volume of crimes here, and even Bonaire most avid fans are concerned and looking for ways to both ensure their own and other diver's security, and help push for changes to preserve the quality of life for residents and visitors.

If you are concerned, and wish to take your business elsewhere, that is your right. If you wish to make a statement by doing so, I salute you, and hope it has the effect you seek.

When you put down those who have seen a different side of Bonaire, and are attempting to voice their experiences, opinions, and observations, then you lose my respect.



On another note:

As I posted earlier today, if anyone is seeking more information on the current situation, there has been quite a bit of discussion by residents, and regular visitors on Bonaire Talk web site, since their TOS have been satisfied in this series of crimes. It does sound like there is a change in attitudes by residents and authorities toward such crimes, and this rather shocking escalation may actually work to get things moving in a positive direction.

I suggest that anyone who cares keep calling or emailing resorts and travel related services, and asking questions. Personally I see this spree as a possible game changer, as it is obviously a significant escalation and needs to be address swiftly and decisively, and publicly. Such action could go a long way toward both improving security, and refreshing the island's reputation.

 

[Mike]

I hope this is a game changer for your island. The complacent attitude of petty crime has obviously come back to roost and you (or actually tourist ) have / are paying the price.

Locks, bars, security cameras, gates are all deterrents, not solutions. Mostly all they do is give false security. Solutions will only come when your authorities finally are forced to solve the problem through patrols, arrests and convictions.

I really do hope it's a game changer. But based on the complacent nature of your island and the continued attitude of don't ask/don't tell that is still trying to be kept alive, I will be pleasantly surprised if anything comes of it.

What I would like to know is what is the path to something happening? Does the island have a local presence of tourist industries with any clout to pressure the authorities? Based on how long the petty crime has been tolerated and pretty much joked about it doesn't appear local authorities in the past have had any desire to protect the reputation of the place.

What will be the factors that push local authorities to make significant changes?

Also, are there armed security guards on any of the properties in Bonaire? Are their gate guards?