Honest people in Bonaire

[mgingras]

Hi i was in Bonaire betwen 10 feb and 22 feb
When we went for the first dive on 11 feb
i los my B.C. between the casino and the airport
i think when we turn the BC drop from the truck.
So i turn around 3 minutes later and go back
and i d'ont find my BC so at the Palm Studio
they pass me one.
After the dive in north Belem i stop at 2 dive shop
on my way, and i go to the police station to
advise them , the police man was not very interested
by my story , he took my name and phone number no more.
At the office of Palm Studio the girl there Mariska told
me i sent a email to all dive shop.
Believe it or not 2 days later when we came back from the
mornig dive she told me we found your BC at the Plaza Resort
I was very happy.
I wrote that report because we heard often bad new
about theft of equipment.
Normally people are honest at 98%
Good Diving
MICHEL GINGRAS QUEBEC CANADA

 

[Doc]

I too have met some wonderful folks in Bonaire... and many other dive destinations.

Yes, Bonaire gets a bad rap because of occasional property crimes committed against our fellow diving fraternity that locks their cars/windows and leaves anything valuable in the cars. There's a simple solution- don't do that.

Go to Bonaire, do great diving, eat wonderful and diverse food, drink heartily- meet new friends. It is a great dive destination... even if you store your BC on the outside of your vehicle!

 

[scubadobadoo]

Yes, Bonaire gets a bad rap because of occasional property crimes committed against our fellow diving fraternity that locks their cars/windows and leaves anything valuable in the cars. There's a simple solution- don't do that.

I agree. Bonaire does get a bad rap, however many have also reported theft and vandalism even when the cars aren't locked and the windows are down. People are now reporting that the spare tires are being stolen and that tires are also being flattened and that the tanks for second dives are missing and that junky hats and cruddy sunglasses and water bottles are gone when they return. The last thing I want to do is bash Bonaire. I will be there in May and am proud to say so. Nonetheless, it's just not that simple anymore.

It doesn't surprise me though. The situation is just perfect for crime. A few bad people take advantage of a perfect crime oportunity and Bonaire gets a bad name, not the criminals that deserve it. It's nice to hear good reports for a change! Thanks for posting the good news mgingras!

 

[Tom Smedley]

My friend lost his entire bag out of the back of the truck because of a bad tailgate. We went to the police station to file a report for insurance and someone had already turned his stuff in. Happy ending. It seems that the petty crime is a major issue for lots of travelers to Bonaire. They swore in a brand new police chief this week and if everyone would write the tourism folks and make known your fears about the petty crime and let them know that folks are not coming because of it - Just maybe the new chief will have a crackdown.

 

[El Orans]

Been there twice, never a problem.

 

[Tom Smedley]

I never had a problem either but it seems that lots of folks are stuck on it.

 

[RICHinNC]

Tres bon dude. Glad you got your stuff back. Stuff is expensive.....especially dive stuff.

 

[dvrliz1]

Rich,

FYI, it's Hopi Bon! LOL....