Be careful in Bonaire (Burglaries)

[ScubaSteve]

Do YOU know the guy was actually a police captain? Did you call the Bibb County Sheriff's Office? Has anyone called to verify who the story writer (or teller) was? Cause I just did, and guess what? There is no Neil Godbee there, and never was any Neil Godbee there. Amazing. Yet we are to believe this story? The first sentence starts off with an untruth...how does it get better from there?

Sorry for having to ask this, but is this the same very long story that PF posted as proof of everything he has ever said about Bonaire? I will go back and check just to be sure.

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Yes Scuba Steve, exactly that long story. Zero verification!~

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Nice story about the trucks being stolen, and the "special spray " the thieves used to make sure no one woke up! Do YOU (or anyone) know the guy was actually a police captain? Did you call the Bibb County Sheriff's Office? Has anyone called to verify who the story writer (or teller) was? Cause I just did, and guess what? There is no Neil Godbee there, and never was any Neil Godbee there. Amazing. Yet we are to believe this story? The first sentence starts off with an untruth...how does it get better from there?

Not taking sides here, but there is a "Neil Godbee" who has a LinkedIn profile. He appears to reside in Macon, GA, and currently works as Security Chief at HCA. Perhaps an email might help verify the story.

 

[ScubaSteve]

This is a bit long but very detailed and filled with important info to aid divers heading to Bonaire.

part 1


"My name is Neil Godbee and I am a Captain with the Bibb County Sheriff�s Office in Macon, Georgia.

I agree that perhaps further clarification is required but if what IVS is saying is true (and I believe him because he has no reason to lie - unlike others), then this statement posted by PF could not be more concise and untrue.

 

[diversteve]

Oops Bubbletrubble found it first...

Why is anyone continuing to comment on something that happened over 5 years ago?

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

He is in fact with the hospital and the folks at the Sheriff's Dept know who he is, so perhaps he is a bit of a truth stretcher? Maybe knows a Captain in the Sheriff's Dept? Maybe when he was a kid wanted to be one when he grew up? Bottom line, I read the letter that was posted, took it directly to the Bibb Couny Sheriff's Dept in Macon GA, and got the official answer, right from the proper end of the horse. So, do I need to use a special editor when I read "I am a Captain with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office" to really mean I work at a nearby hospital? Cut me a break!

My only real question is why would someone outright lie when making a post?

 

[Bubbletrubble]

He is in fact with the hospital and the folks at the Sheriff's Dept know who he is, so perhaps he is a bit of a truth stretcher? Maybe knows a Captain in the Sheriff's Dept? Maybe when he was a kid wanted to be one when he grew up? Bottom line, I read the letter that was posted, took it directly to the Bibb Couny Sheriff's Dept in Macon GA, and got the official answer, right from the proper end of the horse. So, do I need to use a special editor when I read "I am a Captain with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office" to really mean I work at a nearby hospital? Cut me a break!

My only real question is why would someone outright lie when making a post?

@Indian Valley Scuba: Did you inquire about a "Mr. Otis Neil Godbee"? Perhaps "Neil Godbee" is his son or a relative of some sort. There is an online document (revealed by a Google search for "Otis Neil Godbee") dated May 10, 2005, stating that: "Mr. Otis Neil Godbee, retired, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office" was present at a meeting of the Bibb County Board of Commissioners "to receive his retirement resolution and watch." Here's a link.

BTW, you sound pretty frustrated/angry. Why?

Thanks for looking into things...

 

[DandyDon]

Dear Dandy, you really don't need to hire a DM for shore dives in Bonaire unless you're doing something funky on the eastside, say. Otherwise, it really is as easy as it sounds: walk into the water, pick one direction and swim that way for half your tank, go a bit shallower and swim back to your entry point.

Sounds fun. I tell ya, getting my bud to pay attention tho?! In Coz, we were doing night shore dive when the current changed about the time we were going to ride it back. We surfaced, I suggested he shoot a compass heading to the edge of the ray pen we had to go around (I know how he is about following me), and - since he hasn't dived anything but Coz drift dives and a 60 ft wide practice pit in NM for the last several years, he forgot how to work a compass. :silly: We climbed out there and walked back. I just try to take care of my butt and uphold a promise to his mom to always bring him back safely, but the next day - after we exchanged air readings, him 300# more than me after me chasing my camera, I soon tugged on his fins twice and flashed my light on the next swim thru wall, then gave up and bailed, finishing my SS on pony bottle after wasting time & air on him. His response: "It never dawned on me that you would use less air than me." Did I mention that we had just exchanged air readings? I can only guess that he didn't look.

Maybe airfares are outrageous, but what you can save on the diving should make up for it. With the intense cruiseship activity, Cozumel is just as expensive as Bonaire eating-wise IMO, and Bonaire accomodations usually offer the additional savings of home-cooked meals if you're on a budget since most have full kitchens.

I eat pretty cheaply in Coz, but I would like to try Bonaire. Would it help if hung Texas & Marine Corp flags in the apartment window? I have the car flags too.

Honestly, I've been on and off Scubaboard for years and have always noted your presence and mostly for the positive, but you started to bug me with you anti-Bonaire attitude. Give the island a try and see what you've been missing, puh-lease! On land it's a much slower pace and friendlier atmosphere then the cruise-addled island of Cozumel, far less cement and concrete, and no hustlers trying to get you to buy Tanzanite at all four Diamonds International locations on island (Bonaire has none!). Just imagine strolling down a waterfront walk without anyone harrassing you to buy jewelry or tourist kitsch, unheard of in Mexico but standard in the island paradise of Bonaire.

You know, I never get hassled in Coz, but then I don't smile there, probly have more of a scowl walking around hawks, and do dress cheaply. Still, it would be nice to try an island without so many cruise boats, even with the longer flights and all - but every time I put a pencil to it further, the difference in expenses increase. I'll still try tho.

Sorry you think I have a "anti-Bonaire attitude"; I do question why the locals let it keep happening but have come to some better understandings, that do include that with the Bonaire fans defending the island in spite of B&E while sleeping, the locals seem to see the tourist well as never running dry - and you support that theory. Instead, I think it might go better to pass the word to all to insure well, keep records, file claims, etc as well as reduce exposure.

Nice story about the trucks being stolen, and the "special spray " the thieves used to make sure no one woke up! Do YOU (or anyone) know the guy was actually a police captain? Did you call the Bibb County Sheriff's Office? Has anyone called to verify who the story writer (or teller) was? Cause I just did, and guess what? There is no Neil Godbee there, and never was any Neil Godbee there. Amazing. Yet we are to believe this story? The first sentence starts off with an untruth...how does it get better from there?

New on the Internet? There are better ways than making a phone call and taking the word of whoever answers. He retired a year after his published experienced, and after 5 years - I guess not all of the night employees know the name...

From: http://www.co.bibb.ga.us/minutes/05102005.pdf

Mr. Otis Neil Godbee, retired, Bibb County Sheriff's Office, who was present to receive his retirement resolution and watch.

It's on page 1 under RECOGNITION OF VISITORS if you need help there.

OH, BT was posting as I was working on it. Here is more...
www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2003_04/fulltext/hr1102.htm

WHEREAS, the members of the Bibb County Sheriff´s Office involved in the raid include: Sheriff Jerry Modena; Major David Montford; Captain Neil Godbee; ...

Oh, here is his other post on BT about him applying for police work on the island, which tells more about his police experiences: http://www.bonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/174222.html?1092000320

I still question the sleeping spray, except there was one other report on SB about such - from a lady who still goes back?

 

[pilot fish]

None of the tourist money is going to law enforcement to make Bonaire safer and none of the businesses are pressuring the Bonaire GOV to do anything. That being the case, GO SOMEPLACE THAT IS SAFER.

Usually the way it works is when tourism is a countries major GNP, the infrastructure of the island functions as a result of the taxes levied on tourism directly and the fees and taxes levied indirectly on the islands population who gain their income directly from tourism.

When tourism declines the local governments coffers get reduced directly from the direct taxes and indirectly from the indirect taxes and fees on the the locals who stop spending money they don't have. Infrastructure begins to suffer, services begin to be cut. The locals cry out and demand the government does something. The government analyzes the problem and determines tourist visits are down and they must do something about it. They finally figure out it's a perception issue, in this case it's a perception of crime and safety. They finally work to alleviate the crime issue, they may then spend money on marketing the island to get over the bad image and try to return the island visits to normal.

The path to the resolution can come quicker if the local businesses band together and approach their government to inform them of the problem and make them aware of it and demand change so it never has to get as bad as it will.

 

[pilot fish]

Sorry, IVS, you just weren't looking in the right place. It has been checked and verified. Now that you know it's a true story what are your thoughts?



Neil Godbee - Security Chief at HCA | LinkedIn

Nice story about the trucks being stolen, and the "special spray " the thieves used to make sure no one woke up! Do YOU (or anyone) know the guy was actually a police captain? Did you call the Bibb County Sheriff's Office? Has anyone called to verify who the story writer (or teller) was? Cause I just did, and guess what? There is no Neil Godbee there, and never was any Neil Godbee there. Amazing. Yet we are to believe this story? The first sentence starts off with an untruth...how does it get better from there?