Robbery

[jd950]

Vince:

I know the nothing-in-the-truck routine and follow it, but I do somewhat resent what I believe to be a high risk of theft and even more so, the apparent lack of interest by the authorities in curbing it. It would be more convenient to be able to leave more clothes and perhaps a bit of money or a picnic lunch in the truck. Because I leave nothing in the truck, I have had nothing stolen, but I am fairly sure it has been gone through a couple times. On the other hand I have had a dash radio get taken from a rental truck in the middle of the night, and someone in the same complex found their truck missing one morning.

I have been going to Curacao lately, rather than Bonaire, and the situation is largely the same. I have made four trips to the two islands and will undoubtedly be back to one or both this year. The crime problems on Bonaire and Curacao clearly aren't keeping me away at this point, although the break-ins to occupied rooms might keep me away if they become much more frequent.

On this topic, there seem to be three main groups. Those who view the crime problem on the islands as minimal; those who won't go to the island because of crime; and those who view the crime rate as significant but worth the hassle and go despite the crime. I am in that third group. Sometimes I think the distinctions between the groups blurs a bit and of course there are people who don't neatly fit into one of these characterizations. Despite the fact I still go to these islands, the crime annoys me and I talk about it. I am not trying to scare anyone away or convince anyone to go. Sometimes I think if large numbers of people started going elsewhere, maybe the Bonaire and Curacao police would be forced to take action, but then I realize that is silly.

I feel bad for those folks who somehow don't hear about the "rules" or who underestimate the risk of theft and become crime victims. I also worry that as stealing from trucks becomes less profitable as more people know to leave nothing in the trucks, some thieves may move on to more serious crimes.

I think it is best for there to be accurate information and for each person to make up their own mind about their tolerance for the situation. Unfortunately, there is no real source of accurate information, so people resort to describing their experience, that of friends and repeating what they have heard or read. Then the arguments begin.

I have begun to think this is simly a byproduct of shore diving. I suspect that if somehow extensive shore diving began on Cozumel's East side, or along the Riviera Maya or elsewhere in the Caribbean, we would see the same thing happen. Perhaps the police response would be different; I don't know.

 

[Belgo1]

No way to know for sure of course, but I somehow think things would be different on Cozumel. Mexico values its tourist revenue very highly, and bends over backwards to see to it tourists enjoy their time in Mexico (in addition to the fact that Mexicans are very friendly people to begin with). In Mexico, there are ample "tourist police" whose job it is to protect tourists from crime. (In addition to the "green angels" who provide repairs on cars on highways with free labor).

 

[DandyDon]

No way to know for sure of course, but I somehow think things would be different on Cozumel. Mexico values its tourist revenue very highly, and bends over backwards to see to it tourists enjoy their time in Mexico (in addition to the fact that Mexicans are very friendly people to begin with). In Mexico, there are ample "tourist police" whose job it is to protect tourists from crime. (In addition to the "green angels" who provide repairs on cars on highways with free labor).

Mexico does have its share of problems usually between the drug cartels, but yes - tourists are generally insulated from that and efforts are made to reduce problems that might be felt by visitors. You just do not hear of crime problems in Coz, Cancun, along the coast often called the Mayan Riviera.

I stayed one night at a Cancun market area hotel in March, not on Ilsa Cancun, and was amazed at the number of armed soldiers guarding the hotel. I wish I'd taken a pic of the dozen or so Army trucks parked out back. I learned later that many of those troops were being housed at the same hotel. It may be for show mostly, but it seems to work. The Bank of Mexico, a branch of the national government, invested heavily in developing Cancun from the plantation with a population of 3 some 40 years ago, and today enjoys tourist income at all levels, so they do whatever they can to make us feel welcome.

They got a reminder during the Swine Flu scare last spring & summer when airline tourists and entire cruise lines went elsewhere for a few months, with significant losses again at all levels. If tourism boycotted this island for a few months because of unacceptable problems, I don't know that that government would organize as well to take actions - but I don't guess we're going to see that. Apparently they don't realize how much business they are currently not attracting, or - I dunno, don't care, and enough keep going.

 

[Papa_Bear]

No way to know for sure of course, but I somehow think things would be different on Cozumel. Mexico values its tourist revenue very highly, and bends over backwards to see to it tourists enjoy their time in Mexico (in addition to the fact that Mexicans are very friendly people to begin with). In Mexico, there are ample "tourist police" whose job it is to protect tourists from crime. (In addition to the "green angels" who provide repairs on cars on highways with free labor).

I will tell you that I did the Cenotes in the Yucatan and even on private property they tell you to leave nothing in the open and when you do lock your truck hide "Important" things "Out of sight" and "We can't guarantee the safty of your equipment!" They have Guards at places like Dos Ojos and still can't keep all theft from happening! It is the nature of shore diving in a third world country!