By Phil the Bee (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #125) on Friday, January 1, 2010 - 9:53 pm: |
On Dec 30th, well 3:00 in morning of 31st, I tried calling the police on 911 to see if they could do anything about the fireworks that were being set off just outside our house (and for a good distance around). I particularly wanted to try to stop the people who were throwing very large explosive devices into the road and possibly at neighbouring properties.
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By Jeanine aka Jah-neen (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9365) on Friday, January 1, 2010 - 10:04 pm: |
Phil...I had to use the 911 number a while back and it just rang and rang and rang. I fortunately found an off duty police officer at the beach that was able to help me. I'll see if I can find the post from when this happened.
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By Jeanine aka Jah-neen (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9366) on Friday, January 1, 2010 - 10:08 pm: |
Here it is...
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By lisa z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #314) on Friday, January 1, 2010 - 11:46 pm: |
I can understand that Bonaire is small, and maybe their 911 system is not as technologically evolved as other places, but for the number to be busy for than length of time is very disturbing. Either the system is broken, or someone has taken the phone off the hook. Both scenarios are not good.
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By silvia taurer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #198) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 7:55 am: |
very disturbing report Phil! did someone finally help you while you directly went to the police station? I would not be surprised if they had their whole police staff out and about the island to prevent any damage. Back in europe it has unfortunately become quite a tradition to vandalize with fireworks rather than celebrating the new year! During NYE in Paris they burned over 1137 cars, in Rotterdam they arrested over 100 people for vandalism and street fights, also loads of accidents while handling fireworks. I celebrated last year on Bonaire, it went on for days, I was not aware of any accidents or vandalism though, except my neighbor shot one of the big flower pots of his wife into pieces. she was not amused...
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4042) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 8:41 am: |
Maggie and her friend spotted a fire outside the divi tent at the rotary..they called the police but no one answered. As far as the fireworks not to be rude but get used to it..my dogs suffer soo..I hate them...
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By Jeanine aka Jah-neen (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9367) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 10:53 am: |
Silvia...I'm assuming you meant to post shot the flower pot with a fire cracker? Or did you mean gun? I only ask because I thought guns were illegal on the island. Not trying to stir up a debate, just obtain clarification on what made the shot.
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By silvia taurer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #200) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 10:59 am: |
Jeanine - am sorry, of course I meant my neighbor shot the flower pot accidentally with a fire cracker. So no gun, no.
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By silvia taurer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #201) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 11:03 am: |
ann, my bonaire dog who lives now with me here, never got used to the fireworks - same drama every year - however this year I got her some dog valium from the vet, that helped to slow down her fearful reactions but not the fear itself. I do understand you, same experience here, its so sad to see them suffer and absolutely terrified.
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By Jeanine aka Jah-neen (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9369) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 11:08 am: |
Thanks Silvia! I really do appreciate the clarification. It is not uncommon for people to shoot off guns here in the States, so I just wanted to be certain. My neighbors this year invested in heavy duty fireworks. The explosions were strong enough to rock the house. And just think, I live in a state that prohibits fireworks. I had cats under the bed all night long.
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By silvia taurer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #202) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 11:37 am: |
Jeanine, seriously?!? Some shoot off guns during NYE in the US? Do I understand this correctly?
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By Phil the Bee (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #126) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 11:39 am: |
Sylvia. yes I eventually got to see a real person at the police station. Looks as though I woke him up.
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1202) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 11:39 am: |
I just called 717-8000 and spoke to an officer-he said that night there was a big accident, so it's possible 911 was busy. I heard him ask other officers there in the office with him--they say the 911 number is working. Of course 911 should always work, but if not, call 717-8000 if 911 doesn't answer.
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By Jeanine aka Jah-neen (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9371) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 11:43 am: |
Yes Silvia. Many police commissioners make formal statements about how people should not shoot their guns into the air because when the bullet comes back down, it could hit someone. Don't worry though, it is not "regular" thing. However it does happen enough for the authorities to try to prevent it through public announcements.
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By silvia taurer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #203) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 11:57 am: |
oh dear oh dear, lets get it over with quickly - for everyone who loves his dogs and kitties. thanks for clearing that up jeanine, I am sometimes confused because every state has another law enforcement, I did live in Cambridge/Boston - where the fireworks were just amazing during NYE or 4th of July, no real crowd trying to attempt to hurt each other or vandalize anything whatsoever.
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1203) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 12:09 pm: |
Been here since 1990...never in the Reporter (except as an advertiser). I feel now the same as I do with the biker's week--glad when it's over! In Curacao, they imported 28 40' containers of fireworks; not sure how many here.
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By silvia taurer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #205) on Saturday, January 2, 2010 - 12:18 pm: |
Ruth, have been on Bonaire during bikers week this year - looking outside the window - to see them passing by - I had to chuckle - considering the arrangement who goes first and who last - was just reading in the amigoe - that sales of fireworks on curacao were fair but not extraordinarily
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By karen zavon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 - 10:30 am: |
Phil,
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By Pietri Hausmann (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #328) on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 9:56 am: |
often times the 911 calls are routed to curacao... to be sure to get a reponse call the police station here on bonaire at the 717-8000 number
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By Tami"Just say NO to textiles!" (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #220) on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 1:47 pm: |
We spent one NYE ;on Curacao- the fireworks were too amazing!! DRIFTS of red paper and Midnight!! I defy anyone to sleep through that! (We did wonder because of all the oil storage- but nothing major blew up!!) I grew up in HongKong and remember the wonderful firerackers that were so much a part of Chinese celebration- alas...most were banned because of the unrest during the Great Leap Forward.....
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