Q about Vehicle break-in on Bonaire

[redacted]

Practical question, since I don't know how filing charges & court hearings in Bonaire work. Let's say for sake of argument, a small group of divers set up their own sting operation at Karpata, where they could hide in the bushes and watch their truck. Let's say they catch someone making off with a camera from the back seat of their truck, jump out and catch him red-handed, and detain him and call police.

Figure they're all there for a week, and have 5 days left before they fly home.

Would they have to be on-hand to testify at the trial, and would that trial be fast enough for them to attend?

Is it practical to prosecute these people if they ARE caught?

Richard.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

The problem, as I see it, is who the hell is going to drive up to Karpata so they can hide in the bushes (I think they all have thorns) and watch their truck. Why don't you just leave the camera back in your room and enjoy the diving?

 

[boat sju]

Since I grew up in Detroit where there really is a crime problem let me summarize this for all of you who grew up in Katmandu or wherever: If you think the petty theft on Bonaire is that big of a deal don't go there. The rest of us won't miss you because no one likes to be around a bunch of NAIVE WHINERS anyway.

Whew, that felt good.

 

[oldschoolto]

I grew up in Jamaica, Queens. New York city.... Our cars were broken in to weekly... And they were parked across the street Life in the big city
And my wife and I are looking forward to our first trip to Bonaire... I may just leave a $10 spot on the seat of the open car so they don't steal the battery
Jim....

 

[Drewpy]

I left a fiver on my dashboard all week long..no takers!

I grew up in Jamaica, Queens. New York city.... Our cars were broken in to weekly... And they were parked across the street Life in the big city
And my wife and I are looking forward to our first trip to Bonaire... I my just leave a $10 spot on the seat of the open car so they don't steal the battery
Jim....

For those that remember..I think Promocop is really Pilot Fish in disguise!

 

[drrich2]

This evening I got to do a little follow up on the issue of how Bonaire's judicial system works. Here's an old thread where Diver Liz (her and her husband used to run Golden Reef Inn) discussed the issue related to a break-in. They were Americans who lived in Bonaire long-term, so she knew their system but could see it from a U.S. perspective. A section from her post in May '09:

Now regarding theft on Bonaire. I have done a lot of thinking about this. They know who is most likely doing the thefts (we were not the only ones hit!!!). Basically the problem is the judicial system on Bonaire . In the Kingdom's society it is imperative to protect ALL individuals rights, this is their belief in, for not a better way of saying it, a socialist/democratic society. This basically comes down to the fact that the government has to have "beyond a reasonable doubt" iron clad case. Witnesses are not a viable option. They need tangible evidence such as something on video (hence the security cameras), fingerprints or a confession. NO ONE can be convicted with "circumstancal evidence". On the good side, when convicted and if they appeal and lose (I've never heard of a case that didn't win an appeal) there sentence is extended.

The people who the police suspect of doing these robberies are a group that had the same "modus operandi" 2.5 years ago. They were recently let out of jail 3 months ago.

On Bonaire, the main reason for "petty theft" and breaking and entering and stealing things like cell phones, cash, IPODS, small cameras etc is for drugs.

Richard.

 

[boat sju]

I grew up in Jamaica, Queens. New York city.... Our cars were broken in to weekly... And they were parked across the street Life in the big city
And my wife and I are looking forward to our first trip to Bonaire... I may just leave a $10 spot on the seat of the open car so they don't steal the battery
Jim....

When I was a college kid I used to have to park my car up tight against my dad's car's bumper so they couldn't open my hood to get at the battery. I swear I bought my own battery back from the car parts store down the street one time. Oh, and I had a removable radio because you couldn't leave that in the car. Gee, sound familiar? But that was the 70's.

Anyway, Bonaire is what it is.

I'm posting this and thinking that there's a part of the world where a little girl was shot by the Taliban yesterday. Makes a stolen car battery sound pretty insignificant.

 

[Oddthomas]

Quick question, I am leaving for my first trip to Bonaire in the morning(OHHHHHH YEA!!!!!!!!!!), should you leave your dive bag, extra gear(Mask or straps), and misc. stuff back at the hotel? Are these items fair game also?

 

[drrich2]

I believe they are fair game. Some things you can stuff in BCD pockets.

Richard.

 

[oldschoolto]

I'm sure your mask would get a few dollars at the drug house swap meet....:snicker: A small net bag can be used to bring stuff with you on the dive, I'm really anal about always having a out and will stick a back-up mask on the tank if I think it might be need to finish a dive... New straps and good gear checks BEFORE the dive works the best.... Have fun on your trip....

Jim

 

[paulw]

Quick question, I am leaving for my first trip to Bonaire in the morning(OHHHHHH YEA!!!!!!!!!!), should you leave your dive bag, extra gear(Mask or straps), and misc. stuff back at the hotel? Are these items fair game also?

Short answer: YES & YES
Long answer : YES & YES

Have fun, I can't wait to go back!