Be careful in Bonaire (Burglaries)

[Papa_Bear]

I still need to know who, what, when, where, and why! That is the story! The chip will fall where they may! It is trusting someone to tell you information that the statistics may not support! I have heard too many times "We are doing everything we can" and sometimes it just isn't true! So then we will have to include "They said it was safe" in the reports! Truth and light are always the best! When Banks get robbed we don't blame the bank, but if they have a card board box instead of a vault I want to know! If lighting keeps hitting in one spot don't stand in that spot, but we have to know!

 

[dvrliz1]

Steve,

I beg to differ, but then again we can always agree to disagree. I am not asking for supression, but for the client to make an informed decision. It is up to the client to determine where they stay and the level of security they expect. How can a client make a truly informed decision, using a board, forum, thread, etc, if it does not have a complete listing of every resort/accommodation, private rental, etc, with all of their security measures and if they are sufficient? Who and what determines what is sufficient? If a resort/accommodation, etc is doing everything in its power (based on what is available in the area of security on the island) to provide safety for a guest (cameras, security, bars, door jams, alarms, etc) and the guest decides or forgets to lock something), then what?

Here at GRI we have everything you can get regarding security measures on Bonaire, just like the the major resorts on the island. GRI is in the same area as the majority of the major resorts If we are robbed, they get maybe 2 rooms, the major resorts, historically, they hit more rooms...so which one is safer? Who makes that determination? It has to be the client, and their level of comfort and safety.

Personally, no matter how "safe" a destination is, I am more likely to stay somewhere that has a higher level of security, because no matter what, you can never be too safe. I think it is up to the individual themselves to make that determination with the information that is provided by the accommodation/resort/hotel. Asking the resort what type of security they have, doing your "homework" on the destination you select should allow you the client to make an intelligent, informed decision on where to stay.

I will agree to this much. If a poster wishes to post the name of a property, so be it, but if the person does not wish to, we have to honor their rights as the right to the person who posts the name, correct? Why are we chastising the person who does not want to post the property?

I just believe a client cannot make a informed decision based on boards as the information is incomplete. It is my personal opinion that it does more damage to a property if you name them, on a board, because they are just popular on that board and ALL reports of ALL properties are not verfied or available for review.

I am going to try and see if I can compile a list of ALL properties on Bonaire and what is available security wise. I will do my best, but cannot guarantee that I can get all of them, it is going to take a bit.

I always work hard to provide my SB family with as much as information as I can, and I will continue to do so.

Liz

 

[ScubaSteve]

Liz,

Yes we can agree to disagree. You are the most level headed voice for information on Bonaire and that is always appreciated. However, I would like to offer a similar scenario to perhaps put it into terms that we can see:

I want to purchase a used car and am thinking about a 2004 Intrepid ES with a 3.5 litre engine. I call up Chrysler and they tell me that it is a good solidly built car with great safety features. Do I then buy the car? Nope. I then approach others who have the same car and ask them what their experience has been with the car. Has it broken down alot? How did it perform in accidents?........plus many other questions. These people do not say that I should talk to Chrysler. They share their experiences with the car which I am then responsible to decide how much weight each experience carries in my decision making process.

We are not asking anybody to talk ill of any resort. We are asking for people to stand up and share their experiences so that we can then marry them up with what the resort says and make our informed decision.

Not sure if you better understand our position now but that is why I personally feel it is imperative that resorts get named so that we CAN make an informed decision. After all, a decision made with only half the information is NOT an informed decision.

 

[mike_s]

If an actual resort tells you it has security measures in place that it does not, then by all means call them out.

so what it your resort that was robbed in the above noted case?

just to clear the water here....



( I have no reason to post bad information about GoldReef Resort... I believe that this could happen anywhere on the island, at any resort. I have no reason to believe that security here is bad.... just a question since we seem to be "dancing around it" here. Just that on an island where thefts are high, this sort of thing is bound to happen to about every resort at some point and time.
)

 

[ScubaSteve]

And for the record, I do not think (personally anyways) that anybody is being chastised for not naming names, Confirming why we think it is important.....yes. Chastising......not in my opinion. Maybe some posts are being read in different lights....

 

[Boat Chick]

Technically it is burglary, not robbery. My mistake (I have a habit of always saying robbery, even figuratively). Although, one couple told us they were asleep in their room when "things were taken". This will be my last reply to this thread. I only wanted to give a warning since I had wished somebody had done the same for us. Good luck to everyone on their future travels.

I'm sorry you were the victim of this burglary. I am also sorry you won't post again as I'd like to ask what type of warning you wished you had been given? Would it have helped avoid the burglary in the first place? I'm just very curious.

Again, very sorry you were victimized.

 

[dvrliz1]

Steve,

Thanks, I do understand your analogy. I guess the reason I am so against using names, on this board is that many resorts are very popular on this board, and yes Mike we have had a breakin IN THE PAST, but why should we (us, buddy dive, belmar, capt don's, plaza, just to name a few, etc) who have excellent security measures in place, and who yes have been victims of B&E's (am I getting that right???) when others who stay elsewhere, and are victims, who choose not to post.

I will use our place as an example, as I don't represent any other resorts. Fortunately we are well liked on this board (thank you.), We do provide a good service and comfortable accommodations. We have also been victims of burglary in the past, but have stepped up our security measures, so that you basically would have to blow up a room to get into it now.

I am fortunate enough to be able to keep everyone abreast of what we are doing to provide our guests with the safest environment that we can. along with other information about Bonaire. Unfortunately the other resorts don't have the time or manpower to monitor the boards as I do. Their properties are much larger than ours. Also what about "bogus" reporting - believe me it is out there!!!! If there was a bogus report about GRI, you all know I would be the first one responding because of my activity on the board, but what about the other resorts who are not as active??? Is that fair to them?

Steve, what would happen if you looked at your car, talked with all the people you needed to, made a decision based on their input, but then ended up having problems with the car anyway???

WHO IS TO SAY THERE ARE ANY TRUE GUARANTEES????

 

[pilot fish]

Sorry to hear about your experience. I know that's not the norm for the island but that doesn't help much if you are on the receiving end of a crime like this.

I just find it ironic that with all the chatter lately about crime on Bonaire here on SB that this just happened........again to someone.

It's really sad to hear, honestly. Some things you just don't want to be right about.:depressed:

 

[ScubaSteve]

Steve, what would happen if you looked at your car, talked with all the people you needed to, made a decision based on their input, but then ended up having problems with the car anyway???

WHO IS TO SAY THERE ARE ANY TRUE GUARANTEES????

I would share my experiences. Trust me, I have that very car and for the past full week it was in the garage being mis-diagnosed daily. Would I rave about how bad the car is? No, but I would tell people the problems that I have had and the situations surrounding them. I would also tell them that overall I have been happy with the car even though this past week was a nightmare. As I said, a decision based on half the information is not an informed decision.

Edit

And by the way.....Nothing but Death and Taxes can be guaranteed in life and anybody that thinks otherwise is confused and due for some disappointment. That is why we try to educate ourselves as much as possible so that we can make an informed decision.

 

[pilot fish]

I can tell you over the years there has not been 1 place on this island that has not been affected by theft. ALL of them have, big and small. 99% have excellent security measures in place, but you know thieves...in desparation they will find a way, even if they get caught!!!) The problem is that if you identify the property (ies), it can hurt them terribly.

That concerns me greatly. I wish it were different. I feel for the victims and for the hotels that TRY to keep divers safe. If they are pullng safes out of the wall with crow bars, I don't see how you can avoid getting stuff stolen?