Be careful in Bonaire (Burglaries)

[gypsyjim]

True, but how often does even out "free" media here really put in the effort to make sure they have the correct story before they destroy someone's reputation? I have seen friends have their reputations seriously damaged by a reporter's rush to get the story out. Way too often reporters have not waited and researched, but rushed to get a spectacular story out ahead of others, truth be damned. They figure they can retract later, if forced to, but not till long afterward,if ever. Does nothing to help real victims, or those who's reputations have been destroyed.

From the little that I have learned so far, in this thread is that it appears that this spree was pretty widespread, so quickly naming a few of the effected condos or resorts will not supply enough of info that I am looking for. I am far more interested in what is being done to catch, and imprison the crew behind these crimes, how these crimes are being handled by the police and authorities today.

I would really like to see this dialog kept open, and such info made available, as it develops, which will not happen if all this thread becomes is just one more attack and bash fest like other Bonaire crime threads have in the past.

Yes, divers need as much info as possible, and open access to police reports would be helpful, but this is not the US, and governed by laws quite different from our own. Members of this board are regularly on Bonaire so with a bit of diligence we might be able to keep up to date, and pass along any tips, news, or developments if this thread doesn't suffer the same fate as the earlier ones have. IMO, of course.

 

[pilot fish]

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Okay and we start where? Oh ya how about with this one? See truth is hard, but you can spin it, graph it, and mold it to fit your needs! But the truth and full disclosure is still expected by me unless it isn't true, or it hurts a minor, or a very few other reasons! But to expect a person tell you that their place isn't safe will not happen! I do expect all sides of the facts, just like a traffic accident seen from four separate corners and four different versions of the truth! But it is still the truth for we the jury or spending consumer to decide!

I would say "Okay that happened, but this is what we have done to stop it" and then I am informed to make my own decision!

 

[pilot fish]

Sorry, I don't share your confidence that this was done by a certain gang of crooks that have now been caught by the Bonaire police. I'm not that gullable. I see no real proof of that and it's self serving to say they are now in jail and off the island. Bonaire would really suffer if it came out that the ring of crooks was still on the loose, so tellng everyone they are in jail gives people a false sense of security. I wish it were true but I've learned not to believe everything that comes fromthe Bonaire "police" and Gov

btw way, is any of this in the Bonaire news papers, any news papers, or are they just running the same old routine, leak info that makes them look good and the island seem safer? Sorry, I see no change but sos.:depressed:

Thank you clafrieda, for posting about your experience, and warning your fellow SB members. I am very sorry to hear about it, and you must have felt violated. Nasty surprise, and not what you look for on your vacation.
Also your warnings about the passports is spot on, we tend to forget how valuable a US passport is, and in a great many places that I have visited they are a hot item to thieves, and even pick pockets, and strong robbery in some other parts of the world.

Liz, thanks also for verifying his post, and for posting follow up information on the recent developments in this crime. Liz, it does sound as if this is the same crew that you mentioned a while back in an earlier thread on SB, as the main figure having just recently been released from prison, and a new wave of crime starting to show up?

Please keep us informed of developments in this case, and pray the authorities can quickly solve this series of crimes, and return the thugs to prison for much longer this time around. It would be nice if this could happen quickly, like before our June/July trip, would be REAL nice.

Hopefully we can keep this thread open to deal with this specific crime, and any resulting and current developments, rather than just degenerate into the same nasty he said/she said, second hand bickering that we have recently witnessed with every other SB Bonaire that discusses crime issues? Please?

If the actual victims wish to discuss they specific crime or situation, including naming the condo or resort involved, that is their business, and I feel their right to do so.

It is not up to the rest of us to force that issue. There is always the ability to use the PM button, to have a backdoor discussion, that does not use a public forum to either accidentally, or deliberately damage the reputation of any particular group or business, if anyone really wishes to hold private discussions.

 

[BDSC]

I was wondering if anyone knew if the thefts and break-ins were more likely to occur at "resort" type of properties like Buddy's, Sand Dollar, Capt. Don's etc. etc. or is it more likely with individual home/condo rentals. I have been a number of times to Bonaire and will be there the first week of March staying at Buddy's. I have always stayed at either Buddy's, Sand Dollar, or Plaza Resort but I plan to look at some other properties while I'm there this time. There are some really nice oceanfront condos and villas rented out by their owners at prices just as good or better than the bigger resort places. Just didn't know if they would be safer or not.

I don't ever worry about the petty stuff because I never leave anything valuable in the truck and have never had a problem when out shore diving but I'd sure hate to have the place I'm staying broken into and all my dive and camera gear stolen.

I was just thinking that if you rented an individual home or condo, there would be a lot less people around to see what you have and what room you are taking it to. But there would also be less people around to deter a break-in I guess.

 

[pilot fish]

Unless the Bonaire "police" and Gov finally start publishing crime statistics and you have an independent news agency doing journalistic reporting on crime, you are just left with victims telling you about the crime AFTER THE FACT.

lol, you guys are funny. You are only asking for one angle, I have yet to see anyone ask for all of them. That is my only point here. Give the readers a forum to give all angles, then you'll have all the information you want to make your informed decisions. Threads are extremely bias, listings and reviews have some leveling.

 

[pilot fish]

From what I'm reading, renting a home/condo, etc, off the resort, is way more risky. The larger resorts have more man power to watch stuff and have a vested interest in keeping divers and their gear safe. Me? There are safer places to dive in the world where I don't have this threat hanging over my head. Please tell me how you can relax when thieves are using crowbars to break into rooms and yank safes out of the damn wall? forget it!:shocked2:

I was wondering if anyone knew if the thefts and break-ins were more likely to occur at "resort" type of properties like Buddy's, Sand Dollar, Capt. Don's etc. etc. or is it more likely with individual home/condo rentals. I have been a number of times to Bonaire and will be there the first week of March staying at Buddy's. I have always stayed at either Buddy's, Sand Dollar, or Plaza Resort but I plan to look at some other properties while I'm there this time. There are some really nice oceanfront condos and villas rented out by their owners at prices just as good or better than the bigger resort places. Just didn't know if they would be safer or not.

I don't ever worry about the petty stuff because I never leave anything valuable in the truck and have never had a problem when out shore diving but I'd sure hate to have the place I'm staying broken into and all my dive and camera gear stolen.

I was just thinking that if you rented an individual home or condo, there would be a lot less people around to see what you have and what room you are taking it to. But there would also be less people around to deter a break-in I guess.

 

[Docc]

I had some stuff stolen out of my truck, which was parked in my driveway, here in Alabama. Anybody coming to dive in my pool should leave their vehicles unlocked with the windows down. Crime is rampant here in Alabama. I quiver at night just thinking about it.

 

[pilot fish]

You are making fun of this serious crime report? That tells me something. Maybe this is funny to you but not to the victims

I had some stuff stolen out of my truck, which was parked in my driveway, here in Alabama. Anybody coming to dive in my pool should leave their vehicles unlocked with the windows down. Crime is rampant here in Alabama. I quiver at night just thinking about it.

 

[DeputyDan]

I was wondering if anyone knew if the thefts and break-ins were more likely to occur at "resort" type of properties like Buddy's, Sand Dollar, Capt. Don's etc. etc. or is it more likely with individual home/condo rentals. I have been a number of times to Bonaire and will be there the first week of March staying at Buddy's. I have always stayed at either Buddy's, Sand Dollar, or Plaza Resort but I plan to look at some other properties while I'm there this time. There are some really nice oceanfront condos and villas rented out by their owners at prices just as good or better than the bigger resort places. Just didn't know if they would be safer or not.

I don't ever worry about the petty stuff because I never leave anything valuable in the truck and have never had a problem when out shore diving but I'd sure hate to have the place I'm staying broken into and all my dive and camera gear stolen.

I was just thinking that if you rented an individual home or condo, there would be a lot less people around to see what you have and what room you are taking it to. But there would also be less people around to deter a break-in I guess.

From what I have heard/read a rental home is much more of an issue than a resort or condo. (This is a generalization but I believe it to be true)

 

[pilot fish]

Folks, this report indicates a serious escalation in crime on Bonaire. It is no longer petty or something to laugh and joke about. Nothing is going to change until you divers demand it. How can you do that, you asked? Only when Bonaire sees the bottom line shrinkage and realize divers have taken their dive dollars elsewhere, will they get the message and insitute change. Divers knowing and ignoring all this are becoming part of the problem, not the cure. It's up to you.