Robbery

[jd950]

There goes part of the problem again.

???????

 

[Jupiter31]

If you guys care about reef conservation then all this petty crime and more importantly the talk about it is a good thing. It is pretty obvious that the more tourists/divers an area has, the more infrastructure support and consequent environmental degradation will occur to handle them. I'm sure we can all think of islands that have been ravaged by over-development. If the crime situation is putting a governor on this over-development then at least there is one favorable element for the reef and all its critters.

In November I was on a dive trip in Domica with a big group of folks many of which were way into photography. This one guy went on and on about how he'd never go to Bonaire because of the crime. Knowing what I do about him, I kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to dissuade him from staying away from that beautiful island.

I hope that all the folks who have incidents scream loudly on these boards. Maybe then there won't be more resorts built destroying the natural setting of the coasts, there will be less sewage snuffing out the coral life, there will be fewer rental trucks zig zagging all over the island and so on. The less impact we have environmentally the more likely there will still be something worth seeing in Bonaire 20 or 30 years from now. I say keep the crime rants coming and scare away the fair weather divers. Leave the island for the die-hards willing to run the gauntlet and brave all the petty criminals.

There goes part of the problem again.

Since Don has more posts than any other on ScubaBoard (truly), I will not answer for him, but do get his point.

The barn is open and the horse has run out - if you honestly think crime is going to dissuade visitors, you may be correct to a very limited extent - but Bonaire is still going have a ton of tourists - and those visitors are entitled to park their vehicle in safety, and if there is an incident, expect a modicum of professionalism from the police - Bonaire is as much a part of the Netherlands as Amsterdam, or the Hague, or the Zuider Zee - they are not "colonies" a very incorrect word today.

(Although the terrible job their justice system did on their sister Island, Aruba, on the Natalie Holloway murder does call much into question as far as law enforcement capabilities - If I were Aruba, and Holland, I'd hang my head in shame - one thing for an Island to be so incompetent, another for Holland - but subject for another post.......)

Want to make things better - eliminate the cruse ships calling in Cozumel, close down 20 or so resorts on Bonaire...... But none of that is realisically going to happen.

Worst thing for the US economy is whats going on right now - you are unlikely to see any more hotel construction or major expansion in the Carribean until things do a major turn economically here - but I don't wish this terrible economy on the USA (and I'm sure you don't either) just so development slows/stops in the Carribean.

But cannot agree with your point, although admit to somtimes agreeing w/ the sentiments that less tourists are better - but don't want to give the thieves a "medal" for doing their part to turn visitors off - I do get your point, but am not glad the thieves and petty criminals exist.

 

[DandyDon]

Since Don has more posts than any other on ScubaBoard...

Haha, well that actually have no bearing on whether my opinion is worthy or not. All it means is that I post a lot. I have considered hiding my post count, but just haven't. At least you know that I probly know how to post something if you need help with a feature.

In my personal opinion tho, anyone who posts statements like "Leave the island for the die-hards willing to run the gauntlet and brave all the petty criminals" is indeed implying acceptance of the problem and willing to reward local businesses with his travel dollars, which would tend to discourage any feeling that local change is needed. TY

 

[jd950]

Okay, I wasn't sure if Dan's comment was in response to me or the other post...now I understand. I don't buy the other guy's position, but on the other hand, if anyone thinks that by simply staying away from Bonaire, Curacao, St. Croix, or wherever else because of the crime they are therefore somehow putting pressure on those governments to solve crime problems, I think that is fantasy.

Bonaire gets so many tourists, including dive tourists, that whether I go or not will never be noticed. And, by simply not going, what point am I making and to whom? Who will know if my absence is due to crime or the economy or any one of dozens of other reasons?

Curacao gets many tourists including large numbers who are not divers. If I don't go there, again no one will notice, and I will make no point to anyone. Now if cruise ships stopped going to Bonaire and Curacao and the cruise ship companies stated that it was due to crime, we would see a rapid change. Look what happened in Cozumel during the flu scare.

In the meantime, I go because I want to shore dive and there are few places in the world and even fewer in this part of the world where I can do that. There are certainly places I would not go, due to crime or terrorism, but I am willing (at this point) to risk the petty crime to do the diving I want to do. If taking the risk causes others to say I am tolerating the crime, or part of the problem it, then so be it. I guess I could quit going to Cozumel because of the corruption within the Mexician government, corrupt cops and so on, but I'm not going to do that either.

On the other hand, the idea that crime on Bonaire and discussions of it are good for the environment is a bit off base, in my opinion. If you really feel this way may I suggest looking into a dive trip to Somalia. I doubt the undersea environment is under much pressure from tourism. From what I have seen of Bonaire, the divers and the dive industry, including apartment and condo rentals and dive ops, are the main force for protecting the environment, while others are content to overfish the waters, pour sewage and runoff into the sea, poach, engage in illegal sand mining and promote cruise ships and large resorts with all of their environmental ills.

 

[adpfam]

we went to curacao march 09 stayed in a resort / aptsments we had no issues , but we got in the habit of leaving our car unlocked and rolling down the windows . it was common to find the car had been rifled through. we left only a towel in the car to keep the seats dry. it was funny as we often drove around in our wetsuits and boots LOL man i love the smell of rubber

 

[handben]

In my personal opinion tho, anyone who posts statements like "Leave the island for the die-hards willing to run the gauntlet and brave all the petty criminals" is indeed implying acceptance of the problem and willing to reward local businesses with his travel dollars, which would tend to discourage any feeling that local change is needed. TY

Dan, you should re-read my post. I'm not "accepting" the problem; I'm celebrating it. Were it not for some anti-development forces, Bonaire would be just as paved-over and dying as much of the rest of the Caribbean. Think Jamaica if you need a concrete example. It is a good thing when you scream how awful it is and that you would never go and recommend that none of your friends go. Maybe they won't keep paving new roads at a break-neck pace. Maybe the locals won't keep over fishing the reefs, while dragging their cinder block anchors over the coral to supply fresh fish for the restaurants, maybe less raw sewage will spill from the resorts lining the reef. I understand that "more, more, more, bigger, bigger, bigger" is the American outlook on life. I get it. However, it doesn't always comport well with conservation of resources. My hat is off to you and I hope that you'll keep tooting the "avoid Bonaire" horn.

On the other hand, the idea that crime on Bonaire and discussions of it are good for the environment is a bit off base, in my opinion. If you really feel this way may I suggest looking into a dive trip to Somalia. I doubt the undersea environment is under much pressure from tourism. From what I have seen of Bonaire, the divers and the dive industry, including apartment and condo rentals and dive ops, are the main force for protecting the environment, while others are content to overfish the waters, pour sewage and runoff into the sea, poach, engage in illegal sand mining and promote cruise ships and large resorts with all of their environmental ills.

No offense but I just beg to differ. The reef and its denizens thrive best when left alone - ie free from human influence. Tourists, including divers are part of the problem. When we go we have to be fed, have water to bath, drink, defecate and so on, be transported around, entertained and then dropped onto the reef (sometimes literally). I am under no illusion that any of this benefits the reef. I try to minimize my impact (neutral buoyancy, conserve water, so on) but I don't delude myself into believing that my presence (even paying the park fees) somehow helps the reef. The more folks that visit the more environmental degradation you will see. In spite of valiant efforts to preserve the reefs of Bonaire, there has been quite a bit of degradation in the past 30 years or so. Ironically, you may be right that areas that are too dangerous to visit - like your pirate ravaged Somalia coast example - may be the only places with viable tropical reefs in 30 or 40 years.

 

[phelana]

Renting a house is often the same if not more than a hotel or condo. I know in the past in all the island's I represent certain houses are targeted and certain hotels are hit often. Vince hits the nail on the head. Ask about safes, security, history of break ins. What you read here can happen on any island, honestly. I live on island and before that stayed in many of the properties. I feel so safe. As far as clients I have had about 5 out of thousands robbed. 4 of the 5 left their doors or windows open. NONE had their truck vandalized. Leave windows open for sure and dive with others...I love when I see someone sitting enjoying a read whilst the others are diving..it makes good sense..rotate and take turns..I know when folks windsurf someone usually stays to man the goods. When I was a kid someone always stayed to watch our beach blanket. Why do divers assume you all can leave and go diving and everything on shore is safe and secure? It's not logical. IMHO..this is not paradise..there is no such thing but honestly, Bonaire is pretty close. Peace and joy as you dive today...

 

[GlassBender]

We got "burgled" on December 28th 2009. They swiped a camera from the waterproof housing and a cell phone charger. We were staying in a little apartment in a "5 plex" three blocks East of Dive Friends/Yellow Submarine. We got off easy. The "good stuff" was in the bedroom, and I woke up then he/she opened that door. They paid no attention to dive equipment, including computers. Must be hard to sell (or something).

 

[jd950]

Hopefully I am wrong, but it SEEMS that I read more each year about nighttime break-ins/burglaries on the islands. Perhaps as more people learn to leave nothing valuable in their rental trucks, those who make their living from theft are driven to more risky crimes?

While I view the thefts from vehicles as an annoyance that I can work around, I have real concerns about taking my family places where there is a significant risk of of someone coming into the place where we are staying while we are asleep. There is a significant chance for some real unpleasantness.

This will play a significant role in choosing what property I would stay at on Bonaire.

 

[DiverVince]

This will play a significant role in choosing what property I would stay at on Bonaire.[/QUOTE]

JD.. Personally I've traveled the Carib fairly extensively over the last 30 years & have owned property on more than 1 island. A word to the wise..It ALWAYS makes sense to choose a property which is difficult for unwanted persons to enter. This is true on Bonaire or ANY OTHER area or island you chose to visit.