By A Klein (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 4:53 am: |
Can anyone comment on crime and level of safety in Bonaire? I have read the posts regarding auto break ins and petty theft, as well as the need to leave doors unlocked at dive sites. What about personal safety and safety at hotels? Any reports of armed robbery or assault?
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By Freddie {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #369) on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 8:26 am: |
Welcome to Bonaire Talk A Klein, If you do a keyword search {found at the bottom of every BT page} on any of your concerns you will see that these topics have been hashed and rehashed to death...We the moderators try to protect the innocent or unknown victims by keeping these threads to a minimum.. Please also take this time to read our posting policies to understand about the postings of crimes..
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5567) on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 8:35 am: |
I would love to tell you not to worry about it and that really is what you should do, but Bonaire is not immune to this problem. Just take normal precautions that you would at home (with the exception you already mentioned) and in all probability you will not have a problem. Make sure you use the wall safe at your resort major valuables. Tell your wife to not bring any valuable jewelry as she will not really need it in Bonaire (very laid back, non-formal place). The only other thing to worry about is a laptop (will not fit in the wall safe), I bring an old one that if lost would not be a big deal.
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By Brian (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2946) on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 9:54 am: |
I feel safer in Bonaire than I do in many places in the UK, Europe or the States. As Cecil says use common sense and you will be ok.
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By Brian (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2947) on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 9:59 am: |
Sorry and welcome to BT as well.
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #897) on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 6:28 pm: |
A Klein..Bonaire is one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean. I've been traveling the islands for approx 25 years. Go to Bonaire, act responsibly & the chances of anything adverse happening to you will be minuscule. Go and enjoy!!
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #900) on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 5:01 pm: |
Jeff..when we rent I always INSIST that a locking hub nut be put onto the spare tire. If it's not on the vehicle I take it to their garage the next day to have one installed. Frankly all the rental companies should do this. The cost would be minimal, it's unobtrusive & you need a small key to remove it. $240 is extremely excessive for a tire (yes I realize it costs more to ship them there).So admonitions to other renters. If everyone insisted on this the car rental companies would be forced to comply.
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #901) on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 5:42 pm: |
For those who may be interested see this link..
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By Freddie {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #370) on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 7:33 pm: |
Jeff welcome to Bonaire Talk It is a shame that your first post was so negative.. Please read the posting policies especially about CRIME.. posting policies you will need to submit a police report in order to post what you did.. It will be removed and if you submit a police report to us then we will repost it for you..
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By Jeff Fisher (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 10:24 pm: |
Freddie,
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By Patrick T. aka Guido (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1857) on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 10:38 pm: |
Jeff that is your lost.
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By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1196) on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 6:13 pm: |
jeff, posting your experiences is not a problem but according to the rules if you post about a crime you have to have a police report to confirm it.
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By bob (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1992) on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 6:42 pm: |
the guy had a right to post his experience. that particular posting "rule" is actually censorship and we have been thru all that before...
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By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1197) on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 8:00 pm: |
i didn't see anything about the $250...i guess that was pulled before i read it. i just think it's silly to cancel or threaten to cancel a trip because of an experience on this, or any other, board. these boards are guidelines and are merely the opinions of other people who have been to bonaire.
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By Jeff Fisher (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 10:28 pm: |
You guys just don't seem to get it.
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By Jeff (BonaireTalker - Post #48) on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 10:53 pm: |
I have to disagree with Bonairetalk's policy on this one. Taken to its logical extreme, this policy would require a maintenance report so that we can report to board members that an A/C in their hotel was not working. Or a report from the Health department to complain about bad food. The truck we rented at Buddy's back in 05 didn't have a spare tire. Do you need to see the rental agreement to confirm that statement? At least I didn't have to pay for it!
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By Jeff (BonaireTalker - Post #49) on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 11:01 pm: |
Jeff,
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By Bill Westman (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 8:26 am: |
Let me throw my 2.5 cents in this discussion. There must be someone buying these hypotetical items being stolen. I remember many years ago in Houston when T-tops were the rage on all new cars. Then they all started getting stolen. After a number of months, the insurance companies decided to only buy replacement tops from the dealers, not from junk yards and second hand shops. Overnight the thefts stopped because the tops suddenly had no value.
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By brian mccarley (BonaireTalker - Post #58) on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 10:18 pm: |
Most of the thefts are perpetrated by the same few.
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By Pauline Word (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Saturday, May 12, 2007 - 8:13 pm: |
Here's something to ponder. Can you even file a police report in Bonaire on property stolen that isn't yours? I mean a spare tire, battery, etc. actually belong to the rental car company, right?
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By Tribs, AKA Jah-neen (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4235) on Saturday, May 12, 2007 - 9:36 pm: |
Pauline...if you want the insurance to cover it, you must file the report. While the vehicle is in your possession, it is considered to be your responsibility. If you neglect to file the report, most (if not all) insurance companies will not reimburse you.
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #907) on Sunday, May 13, 2007 - 6:11 am: |
Pauline.. Any property in your care, custody and control you are under a legal obligation to protect it. Simply put, if anything happens, you MUST file a police report. Ownership has absolutely nothing to do with the equation.
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By Pauline Word (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Sunday, May 13, 2007 - 9:31 am: |
Tribs and Vince, Thanks for the responses but in our case it would be very difficult to file a police report if we didn't notice that the tire was missing until our departure day while checking it in at the airport. Our return flight only runs once a week and we'd be screwed if we missed it. I certainly would chose the flight over dealing with trying to file a police report with island police on a Saturday. I certainly don't blame the above poster for doing the same. My guess is the rental car companies know this as well.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #901) on Sunday, May 13, 2007 - 5:10 pm: |
Attention all persons who have not yet gone to Bonaire: Based on my expirience after 8 trips to Bonaire in the last 6 years, there is some stuff in this thread that I feel compelled to address. One - Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but there are a couple of posts here that are suggesting that you roll up your windows and lock the doors on your rental vehicle. Don't do that!! When at a shore diving site, do not roll up the windows and lock the doors Rolled up windows and locked doors are a signal to the petty thief that you must be attempting to secure something of value. The logical next move to them is to bust the window in an attempt to find out what it is you must be hiding!! b.- the moderators require a police report before a person can post a crime story on Bonaire Talk because people post less than accurate stuff on line all the time and it is only fair that a person be allowed to talk bad about Bonaire business's, cops or whatever (in reference to a crime incident) on Bonaire Talk only after they have proven the accuracy of the negative content they are preparing to post. Makes total sense to me.
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2702) on Sunday, May 13, 2007 - 5:34 pm: |
There is a website called Chowhound. They do NOT allow any post about alleged food poisoning or posts discussing ailments occurring after a dining experience. I respect and understand why such posts are disallowed as I also support the moderator's stances here concerning crime.
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By Jeff (BonaireTalker - Post #52) on Monday, May 14, 2007 - 2:47 am: |
Hi Marcus,
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #909) on Monday, May 14, 2007 - 6:24 am: |
Jeff..Your proposal as a form of protest is not very good advice. Even if you have "full insurance' in many cases you still have some financial responsibility to the car rental company (read the contract) in case of vandalism.
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By Jeff (BonaireTalker - Post #53) on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 2:08 am: |
Vince,
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By Walter Chorney (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 8:29 am: |
my comments- I am a US travel agent and have been to many countries.I will go diving with friends to BON in July.Safety is a concern in Papua New Guinea, but not Vietnam.Car theft is a concern in Bonaire but not in Playa del Carmen.I think that the insurance policy in Bonaire is awfull.Even when I pay extra,I am still liable for the deductible. My Credit card coverage is not valid on a pick up truck. Should I use a sedan to carry tanks ? Then I am covered. The rental agencies probably earn a lot on these replacement charges. (why are there no comments from agencies ?)I think that posts about bad experiences should be allowed without a police report (within reason); that the rental agencies should do more to help combat thievery with wheel locks on all wheels, a safe if possible-where do I put the key, in my crotch ? That the police should be more vigilant.
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #937) on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 2:42 pm: |
Walter.. First welcome to BT...
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By lisa z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #125) on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 10:40 pm: |
I really agree that people should be able to post good and bad experiences in Bonaire. It only makes sense in that it educates you on what you should or should not do on your next trip. Or maybe that something is going on, and you can take precautions to avoid.
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By Walter Chorney (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 7:03 am: |
Vince-thanks for your info.I have a platinum AX and will call them re extended coverage.I do not know why I should pay to rent a vehicle and also buy something (wheel locks) to protect a rental agencies property.They should install them. As for a taxi-I would only need transportation for shore diving and I doubt that this would cost $40 a day. Other than that, I will walk.
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By Tom C. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4417) on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 7:28 am: |
Lisa Z. - Walter Chorney, first of all there is no censorship here on Bonaire Talk, see: http://www.answers.com/censoring or http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/censoring . This board only requires evidence of a crime being committed because in the past false claims have been made and as a result people's/companies reputations have been harmed. Provide the evidence and one can post about any crime.
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By lisa z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #127) on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 6:26 pm: |
Tom
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By bob (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2036) on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 6:49 pm: |
crime is an analomy...at least in the current scope...references to such may not have any actual value? discouraging such references may in fact be appropriate?
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By Tom C. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4421) on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 8:32 pm: |
Knowing also first hand what is required to obtain a Police Report on Bonaire I believe that unless one is victimized on their way to the airport, it can be done with a little effort on the victim's part. I stand with the other moderators in their unanimous decision to require the reports.
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By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #734) on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 6:25 am: |
From personal experience last summer I have to agree with Tom. We had to file a police report and were treated respectfully and in a very timely manner. Our time at the police headquarters was less than 30 minutes. The report allowed me to post my experience here,deal with the rental company in Bonaire and my insurance company here at home.
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By Johnny"Billy Bo Smack"Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1378) on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 7:53 am: |
Lets see,
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By Jerry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5411) on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 9:50 am: |
This thread made my day.
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By Johnny"Billy Bo Smack"Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1379) on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 10:51 am: |
Thank you
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By Pegi Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #267) on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 11:41 am: |
Rather interesting, isn't it? Now I will run down and get my lock, go to Bonaire, have a great time! Thanks for the info guys!
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By Walter Chorney (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 12:11 pm: |
I just called AX and the cost is $24.95 per rental. Thanks for the tip. If I decide to rent a vehicle it will be worth it especially if I can decline the rental agency extra charge.
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By Kimberlee Rusin (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 2:47 pm: |
The rental coverage from AMEX is $24.95 for 42 consecutive days. You do not have to sign up for it each time you rent a car, each time you use you AMEX in the future the $24.95 will be added to you bill when you rent the car at that time.
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By Tom C. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4427) on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 3:08 pm: |
Walter, $7-$10 per trip is one way from the airport to the nearest resorts. http://www.infobonaire.com/taxirates.html
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By MadMan (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #138) on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 6:08 pm: |
If you leave your fax number the police will even fax you the police report if you don't have the time to go and pick it up.
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By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5369) on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 9:09 pm: |
Walter, rent a truck and use your AMEX, very easy and no hassles. Especially since you dive. Taxi fare will run you far more in $$$ for shore diving. As far as where to put the key: "Put it in your BC pocket or hook it to a landyard on your BC. Just rinse it with fresh water so the salt doesn't get in the ignition. Every island has it pros and cons, I'm sure you know that being a US travel agent as you stated. I think it is great that we have BT here so we are aware of a lot of things, such as the insurance info. with rental agencies for one. I also stand behind the moderators in having a police report given to the mods before posting negative statements that might or not be true as these can harm a business or person's reputation if allowed without proof. I am glad that BT has these rules as I know that what I read is fact and not heresay or from a person that may have a personality conflict with someone or a business on island and just lashing out from emotion and not facts. I have been coming to Bonaire for many years now and have followed the suggestions here on BT for shore diving with a rental truck and so far, so good, knock on wood
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By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #914) on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 12:30 pm: |
I just returned from the Island and paid for my rental truck with AMEX. I have their CDW plan and it is $19.95 for 42 days use. I had two flat tires at the same time on the same side and so did the truck infront of me. $45 to fix them and AMEX paid the bill... If you have up to $2500 of personal gear taken from the truck they pay for that too. The only downside is you pay the fee weather you need it or not... lol
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By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #915) on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 12:32 pm: |
You have to have a police report and recepts.
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #107) on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 1:29 pm: |
The AMEX Premimum Coverage policy will not cover rentals from Buddy Dive, because car rentals is not their primary business. So I was just told by
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By Ross Canant (BonaireTalker - Post #73) on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 3:02 pm: |
Does anyone really have documentation of false claims being made about crime? We hear that as a reason, but is it true? Or is it simply that the mods chose to believe it was false because there wasn't a police report? Enquiring minds want to know, as this continues to be a sore spot with many on this board (the many being the visitors, not the residents).
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By Tribs, AKA Jah-neen (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4295) on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 3:15 pm: |
Mel...call AMEX back. You were given the wrong information. It covers vacation package deals that include car rentals. Do NOT call the general 800 number. They do not know what they are doing. Call the insurance number and explain to them that you have a package deal with a car. It is covered. I have used it in the past.
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #110) on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 5:00 pm: |
Tribs, thanks.
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By Walter Chorney (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 6:21 pm: |
I think that all this "back and forth" commenting is great. It has given me some good information, especially on the AMEX premium plan. I still do not know if I will rent as my dive buddy has to agree and he will not do a rental in his name.
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By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #918) on Friday, June 1, 2007 - 8:53 am: |
The Phone# for the Premium Car Rental Protection Plan is 1-800-326-2078... Ron
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #111) on Friday, June 1, 2007 - 10:03 am: |
See this previous thread for considerable info on auto rental insurance:
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