dvrliz1
Guest
Ok, I have to agree with the majority of what is said in this thread, with the exception that Curacao is safer...no way...
A few facts:
The majority of the thefts that don't include half consumed beverages, $4.99 sunglasses, etc are theft rings, that are NOT Bonaireans
The police reaction: Yes, they do take a lot of reports, and yes you do not hear about any progress initially. You can't. This is a small island and, unlike major populated areas, leads, etc cannot be announced on the local radio or TV stations, it will blow investigations and the "guilty" will bolt, they normally enter the island illegally, usually via boat and stay with other "illegal friends". (Oh by the way, there is going to be a big crackdown on this, it was just announced in the local newspaper). The police have their versions of "snitches" on the island and other ways to track leads. This must be kept quiet, and confidential. What you all don't hear about, because it's normally posted in the local Papiamentu papers are the raids that happen in the middle of the night, much is recovered and arrests are made, when these "rings" are formed. Over the last couple of years, this has happened maybe 2 x per year. These are also arrests that "stick". This may take a few weeks, so the tourists go home without knowing their stuff may have been recovered. Like in the States, you should have serial numbers, make & model info available for the police. You can call them and then they can get you your recovered items. Now I just don't know how long it will take, but eventually they will.
Another fact, if found guilty of a crime on Bonaire, and the perp decides to appeal the decision and loses ...guess what the sentence is increased 1.5x the original sentence no questions asked.
I'm so tired of hearing about how "bad" crime is on Bonaire. I live here, deal with the island every day, yes we do hear stories, mostly "Oh we left all our camera gear, wallets, etc locked in the car at a remote dive site, with the windows up". They smashed in the windows and took everything. (Duh...) We've heard NO theft stories about "oh we left our windows open and a towel on the seat, and someone broke in and stole our towel...now what does that tell you.
Leave your vehicle unlocked, leave nothing more than a cheap towel and or sunglasses (I put mine under the seat), and a bottle of ice (it will be cold water by the time you finish your dive) in the back of the truck. 99.999 percent of the time you won't be bothered. Also, the back seats pull forward, but your empty camera case (if it is collapsible) back there. Out of sight, out of mine...
Just my 2 cents.
A few facts:
The majority of the thefts that don't include half consumed beverages, $4.99 sunglasses, etc are theft rings, that are NOT Bonaireans
The police reaction: Yes, they do take a lot of reports, and yes you do not hear about any progress initially. You can't. This is a small island and, unlike major populated areas, leads, etc cannot be announced on the local radio or TV stations, it will blow investigations and the "guilty" will bolt, they normally enter the island illegally, usually via boat and stay with other "illegal friends". (Oh by the way, there is going to be a big crackdown on this, it was just announced in the local newspaper). The police have their versions of "snitches" on the island and other ways to track leads. This must be kept quiet, and confidential. What you all don't hear about, because it's normally posted in the local Papiamentu papers are the raids that happen in the middle of the night, much is recovered and arrests are made, when these "rings" are formed. Over the last couple of years, this has happened maybe 2 x per year. These are also arrests that "stick". This may take a few weeks, so the tourists go home without knowing their stuff may have been recovered. Like in the States, you should have serial numbers, make & model info available for the police. You can call them and then they can get you your recovered items. Now I just don't know how long it will take, but eventually they will.
Another fact, if found guilty of a crime on Bonaire, and the perp decides to appeal the decision and loses ...guess what the sentence is increased 1.5x the original sentence no questions asked.
I'm so tired of hearing about how "bad" crime is on Bonaire. I live here, deal with the island every day, yes we do hear stories, mostly "Oh we left all our camera gear, wallets, etc locked in the car at a remote dive site, with the windows up". They smashed in the windows and took everything. (Duh...) We've heard NO theft stories about "oh we left our windows open and a towel on the seat, and someone broke in and stole our towel...now what does that tell you.
Leave your vehicle unlocked, leave nothing more than a cheap towel and or sunglasses (I put mine under the seat), and a bottle of ice (it will be cold water by the time you finish your dive) in the back of the truck. 99.999 percent of the time you won't be bothered. Also, the back seats pull forward, but your empty camera case (if it is collapsible) back there. Out of sight, out of mine...
Just my 2 cents.
