Robbery

[DandyDon]

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).

When s/he opened the door? That's got to be spooky, to have a criminal enter your apartment while you're asleep in it. :shocked2:

 

[DiveMaven]

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.

This is exactly why we chose to stay at Den Laman initially. All studio and 1-bedroom units are on the 2nd and 3rd floors providing more security than a ground floor unit does. It is also one reason we keep staying at Den Laman (among others). Does it mean nothing can ever happen? No, but most thieves want easy in/out, which usually drives them to steal from ground floor dwellings.

The precautions with the truck are only different from any other place we travel because we leave our windows down. We never leave anything of value in our car, especially when traveling, in or out of sight.

 

[handben]

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).

I'd be willing to bet it was a "He". I just haven't seen/met/heard of many "She's" willing to risk the confrontation of breaking into an occupied dwelling. That kind of thing will get one shot in most parts of the good ole US of A. Unfortunately, it may be true that if the low lying fruit is all picked (ie the cars full of gear at remote dive sites); the junkies or other professional thieves will have to step it up a notch to maintain their way of life. If violent encounters become commonplace on Bonaire, even I would re-think it as a vacation destination.

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

Wow , this thread has some great opinions on both sides . My own experience on Bonaire , a total of 4 weeks , it is pretty damn good .

There are opportunistic thieves that roam the island at random . I have stuck to the standard of windows down , doors unlocked , if I want it take it with me . Use a dive light housing , remove battery and bulb and put your wallet , passport , cell phone in there and clip it on to your gear .

Yes , my vehicle has been gone over at least once that I know of . They took a copy of Shore Diving by Susan which was not working well post hurricane anyway .
If you go for lunch take your gear with you or park next to where you are dining and be prepared to run if a hit occurs .

My gear would get stolen here at home if I left it in the back of my truck and disappeared for lunch . No problem , I am not looking for Utopia , I just want to dive.

Those that know me know that my worst experience on Bonaire was an encounter with a dengue carrying skeeter , that can happen anywhere tropical .

The bottom line for Bonaire , If you boat dive go somewhere else where you can store your gear in a 5 star hotel and enjoy your boat dives.

If you want to get up in the morning when you want , go diving when and where you want , dive your profile how you want . Do your off gas interval however long you want . Go for a break when you want . etc etc Bonaire is the only place I know where that happens , except for here at home where the water temp is a balmy 44 degrees fahrenheit

 

[jd950]

If you want to get up in the morning when you want , go diving when and where you want , dive your profile how you want . Do your off gas interval however long you want . Go for a break when you want . etc etc Bonaire is the only place I know where that happens , except for here at home where the water temp is a balmy 44 degrees fahrenheit

To be fair, Curacao also fits this description. I don't know if anyplace else in the Caribbean does, though.

 

[SkipperJohn]

I have to say, this is an eye opener. My dive club is planning a trip to Bonaire late fall. I myself have been to Aruba every year for the last 13 years. What struck me about that Island was the lack of crime. I have swam and snorkeled just about every beach on the island. I drove to each site, parked, put my wallet under the seat or under my towel, left my camera in the car along with a backpack, locked the car and swam for an hour or 2. Came back and everything was fine. I've even left a camera on the beach behind my hotel and after realizing it the next day went back and found it right where I left it.
Having said that, it is changing. There has been a sudden rapid expansion in construction (thanks Marriott) and the Aruban work force couldn't handle it so they brought in workers from Venezuela and other countries. There are even now what appears to be gangs.
The reason I bring this up is the theft that has begun so far, to my knowledge, has been only in rental homes. The hotels are safe (and of late I have seen security around my hotel). These rentals are more isolated, have many more entry points (windows, multiple doors, etc), are dark(er), etc.
Any chance in Bonaire the hotels are safe or safer than the condos, houses and the like?

Knowing the guy who put our trip together, we will be diving exclusively from boats and possibly only 1 dive-op (this is his typical MO). Does gear disappear from the boats as well?

 

[DandyDon]

Ooops :silly:

 

[chauncy19]

Gotta say never heard of gear disappearing from Dive Boats. Very unlikely you will experience any crime issues if you are not shore diving. Even that seems unlikely. Not saying it doesn't happen and if it happen to you its an epidemic but most don't experience it.

 

[jd950]

Very unlikely you will experience any crime issues if you are not shore diving. Even that seems unlikely. Not saying it doesn't happen and if it happen to you its an epidemic but most don't experience it.

I certainly don't have any crime statistics to refer to, but from the broken glass at virtually every dive site and all the forum posts about thefts, and the warnings from rental car companies and condo owners, I think thefts from cars is far more widespread than you suggest. On the other hand, if you leave nothing in the truck and the truck unlocked, then I would agree you won't be likely to have anything stolen.

I don't think the risk of petty thefts should scare someone away, but I don't think they can be denied.

 

[DiverVince]

JD..Those of us who have been visiting the island for many years and who know it well are continuously recommending that all divers at the dive sites follow a simple rule:
"Windows down & leave nothing of value in plain site"
I can tell you for a fact that this is an effective & prudent approach. Use simple common sense.
Kinda like the saying, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do".

Yes, there are some folks on Bonaire (just like in the rest of the world) who like to pick the "low lying fruit" if you get my drift. There are simple rules to follow (as with everything in life), if you chose to ignore them it is not only at your risk but will also serve as a positive reinforcement for the "perp" and will perpetuate the problem for us all. e.g. When you drive your car & the light is red at the intersection, do you go through it? By ignoring the "rules" you will not only injure yourself by you also create a hazard for others.

Bonaire is a unique dive destination, where shore diving at remote locations is by far the best & most inexpensive way to enjoy diving. Thousands yearly do it and return home with wonderful vacation memories. A few do not follow the accepted protocol and inevitably problems ensue.

Is it right that you should have to leave the windows down & vehicle unlocked.."NO". As a long time experienced visitor I certainly recommend that you do so. However, in the end, to each his own.