I just returned from a 2 week vacation in Bonaire. Let me first say I really like the island and diving there and plan on returning.

On the down side my villa got broken into and 2 computers, iPhone, REAL DEAL bag, and a wedding ring were stolen.

I've heard that they did catch 4 guys who they believe were involved but they were not talking as of the time we left Saturday 2/6/10. We also heard that there were several other burglaries during the time we were there.

Anyone else had anything like this happen to them recently?

If your going to Bonaire, please be aware of the crime and act according.

Good Diving,
Capt Gary

Gary,
Where were you staying? I am so sorry to hear about your losses! Thanks for the head's up.

~kaly

We rented a house at Crown Ridge Villa. Dive site Andres I was right down our back stairs. We heard that another villa in that same area got burglarized during the same time we were there. Also a couple we talked to at the airport were burglarized at Harbor Side condos.

Good Diving,
Capt Gary

(Message edited by Capt Gary on February 8, 2010)

(Message edited by Capt Gary on February 8, 2010)

It's sad, but it does take place on Bonaire.

It's sad, but it does take place everywhere.

A house in our development, up here in lovely Bucks County, PA got whacked last week. It is a very sad commentary of our times. Drugs, coupled with dire poverty, makes some people desperate. I'm very sorry for people when I hear this. It happened to me at Dive Inn years ago.

Capt Gary May I ask how they got in? Did the villa have an alarm?

I believe crime is up everywhere due to the economy...very sad

Capt Gary..Sorry to hear that. Question.., did they have a safe in the house? How did they gain entry? Please let us know if you receive a confirmation whether or not they caught the perps.

To answer some of the questions.

Yes the villa had an alarm, but we didn't get the alarm code till after the break-in.

Yes there was a safe in the house. It appears they may have used a key to get in as the back door was unlocked and open when we got up at 6AM.

Will let everyone know if they 4 guys they caught were the ones who robbed us.

Good Diving,
Capt Gary

unfortunate, seems to be happening everwhere. We are leaving for Bonaire in a about a week. Any other tips we should know about. How is the "crime situation" when shore diving? Will your towels and mesh bag, or cooler be taken when you are under water? thanks in advance for any tips that could prevent such things from happening.

Chris

How difficult would it be for the police to patrol dive sites? I've never seen a significant police presence anywhere except for occasionally in Kralendijk.

How difficult would it be for every rental apartment to have an in-room safe big enough for laptops, cameras, dive computers, etc? Why can't the tourist board insist on this?

Sure, crime happens everywhere in the world, but at least most places make some attempt to prevent it.

capt gary, so they burglarized the property while you were sleeping? Why weren't you given the code BEFORE the break-in?

Peter, your first question has been asked ad nauseum on BT. Do a keyword search and you will come up with answers to your questions.

Chris, do not leave ANYTHING of value in your vehicle while diving. If you will miss it, don't take it and leave it. Leave the windows down and the doors unlocked.

That said, nine trips and I have never had a problem. In fact, I've left items I did not want to carry home in hopes they would walk off...didn't happen. This last trip, friends did not want to carry a small suitcase back and left it in the truck for 2 weeks...not one taker...go figure?

capt gary I'm so so sorry to think of someone's wedding ring being stolen... all other things are just things
I hope that you get your things back.

How scary... they came in while you were sleeping and had a key????? Am I reading in to this wrong?

It appears the nemesis from the dominican is back in business .

Sorry, Tink, but the fact that my question has been asked before, and that you're sick of hearing it, doesn't in any way diminish its relevance. If an island which has basically no economy other than tourism decides to view crime against tourists with complacency, what's the likely outcome?

Lloyd, I've been waiting for you

Peter, no it doesn't diminish its relevance. Perhaps my ad nauseum was a bit too harsh. That said, there is a lot of info/discussion on the topic if you do a search...?

Not to jump in the fray, but I think Tink was just saying that there's a lot of discussion of this already out there if you want to read up on it. I didn't get that they were diminishing the relevance. Quite the opposite, really.

Tink beat me to the response...



(Message edited by kalyrick on February 8, 2010)

Tink, I'm sure that your "do a search" answer could apply to most posts in this forum. However, it's a forum - an active exchange of views - and simply telling people that something's been debated before isn't a satisfactory response.

As I said, if an island which has basically no economy other than tourism decides to view crime against tourists with complacency, what's the likely outcome?

Hi Peter, why not give us your theory and answer on this instead of bickering back and forth.. I am sure that is what you want to do anyway ,give us your opinion..

Hey Tink , really , on a serious note , from info via another website it appears the old gang from a couple of years ago were released from jail and got things going again.
There are also multiple reports of security guards and police patrolling dive sites on a semi regular basis . I think the authorities are starting to realize they are losing business due to the regularity and predictability of the crimes perpetrated on tourists .
It seems to be a common thing to bash Bonaire Crime on scubaboard , it is like a civil war over there , you need lawn-chairs .
I do think from a few threads I have followed Bonaire is going to get safer , Don't ever think you can leave your laptop in your car while you go for a dive , that wont happen anywhere .
However , one should be able to lock his hotel door and sleep uninterrupted , that gang led by the lady from the Dominican are very brash , hopefully this time they will be locked up more than two years .

Hey Fredster, I'd have thought that, after 8 years and 13000 posts (not to mention being a moderator), you'd have developed some small sense of tolerance towards other posters. Apparently not.

If you really want my opinion on the likely outcome of complacency about crime, I'll happily oblige. After spending over 10 weeks on the island in the last 4 years, my wife & I don't think we'll ever return.

Quote**[ After spending over 10 weeks on the island in the last 4 years, my wife & I don't think we'll ever return.]

Is that because of your perception of crime or the fact that Sorobon will no longer be in existence?

Peter,
I think your questions are very valid. And full of common sense.
Why, oh why, do people attack each other on this site?????? This is a place where people come to gain information, give information, and talk about Bonaire. It's a great site, but please think about how your words and the tone they exude sound to other people.
Peter, the fact that someone had a key is very disturbing indeed. That would make me want to reconsider coming back to Bonaire, as it reeks of an inside job, and that you were set up.
I'm so sorry that you lost your belongings, especially the wedding ring. I agree with BOOM that all the other things are just things, but I know that things do cost money. I really hope they recover your belongings.

No longer convinced that Bonaire is worried about diver dollars Peter.... as long as the cruise ships keep comin' I reckon the powers that be on the island figure they're good to go... at least thats the way it appears.

For the second time today...good lord people!!!

Peter, may I suggest politely that you start a new thread with your question? You may get the discussion/answers you are looking for.

Lloyd, I hadn't heard that the Dominican criminals had been released. Can you please provide a link to more information? I am saddened that they have been released as they were more than the average burglar One would have thought they would have been kicked off the island when they were released? I'm just suggesting/asking the question. Also, I was just on the island and didn't see any police/security guards - anywhere. Where have you heard that they are patrolling dive sites, etc.? I'm asking politely in case one cannot see that in my words

Take out a lawn chair , pour yourself a nice cool beverage , sit back and enjoy ... it is a long read.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/greater-caribbean-bermuda/322648-careful-bonaire-robberies.html

Excuse me peter, but I only asked that you give us your opinion instead of bickering back and forth about it..Apparently the outcome for you and your wife is not to return to Bonaire.. that is too bad..
BTW that being said ,I don't think I deserved your first sentence in your reply

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quote:

I'd have thought that, after 8 years and 13000 posts (not to mention being a moderator

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Lloyd, thanks.

Peter, not nice. Can't we all be polite?

Lloyd, thanks again.
37 posts on SB and not a lot said other than there was a burglary, then people yelling at each other.
In some ways the two boards seem alike.

Bonaire 6 trips in 3 years no trouble. My Neighborhood Grocery store at home car jacked at gun point on a Sunday afternoon. It has changed me but I still go to the store. It happens, be alert, be smart. I too get tired of all the bickering about this on this site I try to skip most of that. I read this thread for information about the happenings on the island and any tips that people may have. Back to Bonaire in April. Crime is everywhere there is NO reason to think it would not be on Bonaire. Happy Diving.

Just so I'm clear here.

Yes we were burglarized between 2300 and 0600 while we were sleeping. The back door was locked when we went to bed and upon our waking was unlocked and wide open.

We were not given the alarm code until we asked for it the day after the burglary. I don't suspect the care taker as having anything to do with this crime as he was mugged 4 days later when leaving a bar very early in the evening.

The police were looking at others who might have keys to the property.

I only put this up here, not to scare people away from Bonaire, but to make them aware that they have to be careful anywhere they go now days.

Good Diving,
Capt Gary

Fredster, I suspect that many of the people reading this forum may well feel that you thoroughly deserved my comment! The essence of a successful forum is maintaining a welcoming stance to relative newcomers, rather than having a few mega-posters who shoot others down in flames.

Crime is everywhere , that says it .

I love Bonaire . I still enjoy the other naysayers point of view . I agree that people should not take theft and burglary lightly .

The other site and this site do have a lot in common . Never say anything negative towards Cozumel over there whatever you do . They will eat you alive , spit you out and feed you to the sharks.

I found Bonaire Talk after hearing of the crime wave that swept the island a few years back, yes the same gang apparently. I thought about changing my travel plans and going back for the 34th trip to Cozumel.

I had second hand information regarding a burglary at two major resorts while people slept . Thanks to Bonaire Talk I got a reality check and went on my planned trip knowing the protocol .

Obviously over the years the police have not been the most preventative force around . There are rumours of corrupt police etc etc.

Inexperienced travellers expect to arrive in paradise and live happily ever after amongst the palm trees and drinks with little umbrellas sticking out. The experienced traveller knows how to take it all in and keep most of his possessions in the process .

I am still getting past the paranoia of another bout of dengue fever rather than the fear of crime on bonaire .
Thanks to these websites I am getting the urge to do another tropical dive trip , even the extra expense draws me back to Bonaire , the Dominicans , the mosquito's , the petty thieves , the cruise ships , I'm still going back , probably late summer when skeeters are at their weakest and water the warmest , that place has me hooked despite silly crime reports .

I think a lot of people are really disappointed by the change at sorobon , you have a point Vince.

Vince, interesting question. The answer is "both". We've experienced a neighbour's chalet being broken into in the night at Sorobon - a terrifying experience for the lady (who if I recall was pregnant) and who actually had a lucky escape as she touched the intruder. And not being able to park anywhere with stuff in the truck is just a pain. And then there's the dreadful impact of the cruise ships. We'll spend our tourist dollars somewhere else.

Lloyd and others thank you for your posts..
Crime IS everywhere, yes even in your home town.. Bonaire is an island with some impoverished people, but that fact doesn't give them the right to break in or even unlock a door to something that is not theirs.. will it stop most people from going there.. probably not.. we just all have to be diligent and keep things in sight or locked up...
I was on island for the month of January and I did see security and police presence going by the dive sites... maybe that is a good sign .. Lets all hope so...

Capt Gary, thank you for your response. Very disturbing that you were burglarized while you slept. It does sound like the Dominican group. I hope they caught them, lock them up, and throw away the key.

Question: Does the island of Bonaire or the Netherlands Antilles keep crime statistics?

If so, can someone note if the actual crime rate is rising or are more persons posting crime reports on Bonaire Talk so it seems like the crime rate is getting worse.

We in the US have our own very serious problems with crime so certainly we can not say too much.

Many local governments both large and small are constantly trying to improve the criminal justice system but to even attempt any improvement you need to know what you have to start with before you can try to improve the future.

All police departments in the country are required to report each month the number and type of crimes that occur in their jurisdiction. They also are required to report the clearance rate of the sending police department. This clearance is when an arrest is made to clear a reported crime. This give some idea as to what the local police are capable of doing.

These reports are then sent to the FBI who publishes the numbers each year. In that way if the public is interested in possible improvement they have the statistics to work from.

Bonaire is such a nice place. Unfortunately there are those that can quickly make a nice place....

Hi Pat, since the moderators of BT stopped the "police report" filed first, before you post a crime, people are posting what they hear or experience.. we have no idea if these crimes are being reported

Excusing the crime on Bonaire with comments such as "crime is everywhere" misses thepoint. If there was a breakin in my house the police would investigate; if it was my car and it happened to others in the same or closeby location they would investigate and conduct surveiance till they caught the criminals. Just because Bonaire is an island and there economy may not be the best is no reason to ignore crime. Unfortunately that is the impression given by the authorities.
Even with the crime we are headed back next month. I just wish there was some effort to catch these people and make an example of a few. As for the ones released recently there is no excuse for allowing them to remain on island.

I have been going to Bonaire for years. Twenty five years ago we had bars on the windows.

Crime is as old as dirt.

Bonaire is not immune, they have a drug problem, unemployment, kind of like any place in the US.

Act as if you was staying at the Miami Inn.

Time to move on kids!

I had no intention of excusing the crime on Bonaire as "crime is everywhere", I was stating a fact, that indeed crime IS everywhere.
Also I said this before it was clear it was a home invasion.
Here in N.S., home invasion (while owners are present) is a very serious crime (otherwise treated as a breakin).
If it so happens that the home belongs to a senior, home at the time, even if the perps are underage, they're not protected by the juvie laws if the home owner is injured. Adult court for them.
I didn't mean to be flippant, nor disrespectful to the victim of this post.

I have to be lucky I guess, five trips to Bonaire and not been robbed. The only crime I have seen has been by me when I dropped a full Brite on the patio and it broke.
I must say though, we are always concerned that it will happen. Truth be told I worry more that my house at home will be broken into while we are away. That, has happened once. I live in an area that is 30 minutes from the closest Walmart, out in the middle of BFE.

As a frequent visitor to Bonaire for several weeks at a time I have been following this thread with interest. I can see no mention of what the owners/managers of the villa had to say about the matter, especially when it appears keys were used. Also, I would be interested to hear how the police respond to such an incident. Do they attend, search for fingerprints, make any enquiries.....
Also, there appears to be an assumption that the Dominicans are responsible but the evidence of that is unclear. Fortunately no violence was used, as is the norm in Jamaica where I lived for five and half years. I look forward to being back in Bonaire from 13 March to 20 April anyway.

If there's ANYONE on this board who is under the mistaken impression that the U.S. can do a better job of controlling crime in the Caribbean, educate yourself & spend some time on St Croix or St Thomas! Both have been a US possession for a good deal of time. ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON in any way, shape or form to Bonaire. We have failed miserably there and St Thomas also has the infamous reputation as one of the cruise ship capitals of the entire Caribbean.

So I really have to chuckle to myself at all the "know it alls" on Scuba Board and other sites when they preach about how things should be run on Bonaire.
What is that saying about folks who live in glass houses?

Some people have the misguided notion that their "vacation in paradise" automatically comes with all of the unrealistic idealisms of true paradise, when it is located here on a broken earth. Their shortsighted point of view leads them to lower their guard and not take appropriate precautions against threats that exist everywhere (and, in most cases, in greater numbers with a higher danger level than Bonaire.)

Personally, if these people decided not to come back to Bonaire, fine. They can go elsewhere, gripe about the crime there, and drive more people to come to Bonaire and support this beautiful island and all it has to offer.

e.

Whilst I agree with the popular view of taking adequate care as not to invite thieves to steal ones belongings, it has to be said that it is a little unfair to berate those who are the victims of break-ins while they sleep.

It is right to advise tourists not to leave valuables in a car that is parked in a remote spot of the island but one would hope that while staying in a commercial resort, one would be safe from intruders.

It is up to the owners of these properties to ensure that they are adequately protected against break-ins and to collectively, put pressure on the Government to increase security on the island.

Antony, very sage words with much wisdom. I could not agree more. I was just on Scuba Board, listening to all the dribble there. It IS up to the owners, both morally and humanistically, to protect their clients from crime.

There are precautions which must be taken by everyone as well. If you are not provided with deadbolts, or other viable security at your rental, don't stay there. If there are sliding doors, make sure there is a bar in the track to prevent it from opening. It is a sad world in which we live to have this paranoia. However, it is better to be paranoid than victimized.

eric, trevor, jim, antony, well said thank you.

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quote:

Question: Does the island of Bonaire or the Netherlands Antilles keep crime statistics?

---

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quote:

Excusing the crime on Bonaire with comments such as "crime is everywhere" misses the point.

---

eddie, your uncanny ability to read peoples minds and know what they meant to say instead of what they said is impressive! Okay...just for fun I'm going to say "Your quite a friendly person and always post the nicest things" Alright are you ready...what did I REALLY mean to say???

And the whole point is ... Crime IS everywhere , yes , even dive destinations .

This thread needs to be closed for Christ sake!!

Yea Aqua Paul, they do seem to get out of hand. But this is mild compared to what's on "the other dive site" where the lunatic fringe really hang out. Most of them have nothing to do with themselves all day, and have only one twisted goal.

I have heard from Lloyd's source (someone who lives on Bonaire), and the information he posted is correct. It was the group from Dominica Republic that had a ring going about 3 years ago. They recently were released and picked back up where they left off. They were arrested and are looking at a much longer sentence. Hopefully the one's not arrested will find another line of work.

I seriously hope they ship these criminals off to Holland and jail them there for life. They are brazen in their tactics.

RosAnne that's the funniest damned thing I ever heard.










Barbara said "damned"....

BOW, WOW.....you did say that didn't you?!! LOL!

OK, we close the thread, it's censorship. We keep it open, we promote this adverse theme of Bonaire.
What do you people want? This subject is not new, in fact it's about ten years old now. So is BT. Please understand, this thread is about # 90 on this subject. Same old same old. I'm not going to close it as we want to give you all the right to post what you think. But, please take the time to read some of the older posts on this subject. We welcome your input here on BT. BT is in fact a base for all to get information about Bonaire.

Thanks.

Jerry, Eddy, or "Fast Eddy" as he is known on Scuba Board, just likes to piss people off. **** him. Keep it open. I love to Tango with *****les.

I must admit , it is like a train wreck , I just cant help but look . It is enlightening to beginner travellers thinking they are living a Disney movie .

Jerry,

Please do close this thread – that would not be 'censorship'. Rather it is just keeping to useful, new and civil content about Bonaire on BT, the purpose of any moderated blog.

As you point out (in my words), this subject has been beaten to death over the years, as have many of the people who post simple facts.

The beauty of BT that has been praised by many through the years is the friendliness here that is uncommon among newsgroups. I believe that beauty is something to be valued more than 100% approval by posters. Interpersonal bickering has no place here.

Hi Bamby, want some candy?


Lloyd, you always make me smile, well some of the times

Very well put Glen. I agree. It stays open.

Kind of like 10,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Lloyd. That is a fantasy as well.

Jim, welcome to BT crime hell.

Delete them as it turns up in the In Box. Waste of breath and bandwidth. Move on.

I agree Trevor, but we have to keep a open mind. BT is evolving, so we must follow. Just don't look at the light!

Bites lip. Evolution or revolution. Crime sucks. Criminals suck. But for a windsurfer, Bonaire blows better...........
(and from the many many fantastic posts and pictures I hear the diving is not bad)

(Message edited by no1_lac_bay on February 10, 2010)

The problem is that for many years a lot of people got turned off at BT when moderators would shut something down, especially crime.

The crime issue on Bonaire must be addressed, as crime needs to be addressed everywhere on earth. Just shutting down a thread because it mentions the C word, is not the answer. Open dialogue, along with two of us is better than one of us mentality, might be the answer. Just putting more police on the street, is also not the answer. As long as people come on here, and not degrade everything that is said, along with utter negativity (Hello Eddie) it can be a great topic. For example, look at the expose that Greg Scott wrote on the other crime thread. That was brilliant for any new person coming to Bonaire.

Some people, who are even good friends of mine, don't want to discuss this, or they think it has been discussed quite enough. I disagree. Prior, when a new person would try to suggest or bring up a crime, moderators would not hear it without a police report. There was beaucoup criticism on this policy, and the moderators changed the policy. I applaud that decision. We have enough on island friends, that if some troll comes on with a fantasy island story, we could check the credibility in an hour. So, please don't try that.

It could be worse. Go to the TTOL forum and check out St. Maarten...I've said it before but I never felt relaxed on that island. In the condo "info packet" the first thing was information about crime. Stay on the main roads, do not go off the main roads, etc.

Maybe it would behoove properties to have a blurb about how to protect your property while on vacation in a HIGH TRAFFIC tourist destination in a FOREIGN country? I'm just sayin'

Despite all this pontification there has been no answer to my first two simple questions. How did the Police and the owners/managers of the property in question respond.

Please don't be a pompous *** Trevor. Notice I said please. When did having discussion become potification?

(Message edited by JimMc on February 10, 2010)

Eddie (fast eddie B)should go swim at Karpata and wait for the next truck to dive in so he can report exactly what happened and file the reports to the police and follow up on those and at the same time hope the truck falls on and will kill a couple of Lion fish

I know, i know Please don't feed the troll's

Hi Jim Mc If I am the Trevor you refer to I just cannot understand what you mean by telling me not to be pompous, even though you say please. Asking a simple question is not being pompous in my vocabulary. I am certainly not 'magnificent, splendid, self-important, as the English dictionary states.
Sorry if I have offended any body, I would just like to know how such a crime is responded to.

I will not be responding to anymore questions about the burglary that occurred. If anyone has any specific questions of me concerning the burglary of my villa in Bonaire you can PM me and I'll respond back to you via email.

Good Diving,
Capt Gary

Trevor, had nothing to do with the question. It had to do with the pontification comment. I did not see anyone pontificating, as you said. I shall not quote. It's right there. We, that go there, as much as you and I, care deeply about the state of what is happening in Bonaire on many levels.

Hi Mod
How about moving this to another thread so we can un-subscribe to it and save the bandwidth ?

Ok, let's take a vote. Is it time to close this thread, or, should we keep it open?

No need to be so diplomatic. The thread is valid as long as it does not contravene the BT Principles and Posting Rules. It's just that the Thread no longer represents a Trip Report and could be moved to another Topic.

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quote:

The thread is valid as long as it does not contravene the BT Principles and Posting Rules.

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HaHaHa... I suppose as long as there is someone wanting to get the 'last word' the thread lives...

too dang funny imho

Capt Gary, thank you for your OP and your calm demeanor. I truly do hope that at the very least the wedding ring is returned.

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quote:

When did having discussion become potification?

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Please get back on track.. and everyone simma down...

I vote to close it right now..




(Message edited by bonaire9 on February 10, 2010)

I vote for "topic is toast" if EB is in.
He seems the death knell to rational thought.

Not even I find anything humorous here...

Eddie, what the hell are you talking about?

Are you on drugs? I'm not on SB.

"Out of my league"?

SIMMA DOWN NOW!

Eddie, do you have me confused with someone else?

Do you know who I am?


Post my name again that way, be ready to back it up friend.

I have a ten year history here on file. Let's dance!

MF, the door was left open.

OOps the dance is called because of snow.. sorry about that the lights are about to go out .. bye bye..

this thread is being closed