Robbery

[Bob]

So true

But I think "Crime in the Carribean" is likely to make the list soon! :shocked2:

I think we covered 90% of the SB threads, but this has been a fun thread w/in a thread

And under "Crime in the Carribean" we could have the sub forum, "Cozumel is a lot safer than Bonaire" In this thread all the offended parties can slug it out to their hearts content. almtree: Bob

 

[DandyDon]

What we really need is a hijack forum to easily move all of the off topics posts when someone wants to discuss real issues on the subject.

 

[rjchandler]

hijack forum? don't you mean robbery forum?http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/images/smilies/Standard Smiles/04.gif

 

[Jupiter31]

What we really need is a hijack forum to easily move all of the off topics posts when someone wants to discuss real issues on the subject.

Don, there have been 83 posts in this thread - what else can possibly be said

1/3 of the posts have been on the difference between "robbery" and "burglary" as well as the nuances of the english language as it relates to these terms.

Any post - or part thereof - is fair game to comment, as this thread has richly proven.

If these posts - I assume you are referring to mine and Bobs - were the 3rd or 4th in the thread, I could (sorta) see your point - but what else can possibly be said regarding the OP's post

 

[DandyDon]

Yeah many of them should be just dumped, but I hate to bother a Mod over such.

 

[Jupiter31]

Yeah many of them should be just dumped, but I hate to bother a Mod over such.

True!

If everytime a thread got off topic ......... only happens in about 90% of the cases

Actually, FWIW, I thought this was a good thread w/ lots of great info, especially for those new to Caribean travel, and Bonaire in particular.

But also think the OP got a little pissed/frustrated - with some justification - with the direct the thread took as regards my previous post.

 

[Zieg]

It has been a pretty silly hijack, but that often happens when you discuss Bonaire thefts. The Grammar less was really silly tho, especially for a sport culture that includes so much international travel and variations of English usage and translations!

Hey, I'm a man. I just confirmed that. :cool2:

Now that I think about it, some divers here don't travel much.

I bet the bad ones are well known with others covering for them because of mutual family/friends. Can't prove it. The cops don't do much nor release much info and some forums don't even allow discussion without faxed paperwork. But this goes on and on.

Exactly. I got to make sure the room safe is large enough for all that, but then we have reports of dive gear stolen too.

And pickups in the hotel parking lots. Naked man chasing.

But there'll be others who will now post about how it's not that bad, easy to prevent (they haven't been hit yet), and crime is everywhere. They tried to tell me it must be as bad in Cozumel. Nope, never hear of any really.

What we really need is a hijack forum to easily move all of the off topics posts when someone wants to discuss real issues on the subject.

Yeah many of them should be just dumped, but I hate to bother a Mod over such.

Oh yeah Don, like these posts about hijacking and picture are entirely ON TOPIC.

 

[Just another Cinderella]

It may be to late to rescue this topic, but there is an answer to the theft problem on Bonaire.
Don't go.
Yes Bonaire is now part of Holland, and the Dutch law can be very frustrating but these crimes are not investigated simply because they know the victim will be leaving the island in a matter of days, so no need to bother.
People really only go to Bonaire to dive, so stop going and post that on as many dive forums as possible. The dive shops will get the message as will the tourism board. If Bonaire/Holland looses the tourist dollar/euro/gilder something will get done.
Find another destination because divers have been complaining about Bonaire for years and the crimes have certainly increased in number and it sounds like the crooks are getting bolder. I don't think one can call these isolated instances anymore.

 

[morecowbells]

This may be a really stupid question, but is crime in Bonaire worse than Curacao? I visited Curacao once and was warned about auto break in's and took the necessary precautions. We stayed in Westpunt and encountered no problems. It seems that there has been a surge of posts about crime in Bonaire. I don't know if this is simply because Bonaire is visited by more divers and I am more likely to read about it or if there is indeed an escalation. Do they have similar problems with their legal system?

 

[Zieg]

So what is the poverty level in Bonaire? I've worked a few times in Fredriksted, St. Croix. The rental car place didn't want to rent us a car when we told them we were working in Fredridsted. Alot of crime there, both robberies AND burglaries. The people were poor, unemployed and had nothing.

I'd be curious to know about what the quality of life is in Bonaire, and not just what they want the tourists to know.