Hello to all,
Just want to let everyone know that crime is not all quiet now. I know some people who just left Bonaire and had their truck's window broken while diving and they left the truck open!!! Nothing was in truck. Someone did it just for fun. The other thing I also found out from them was they witnessed another truck being broken into as well! When they reported it to police, they had an attitude of not caring and really had to give them a hard time when trying to give them a desciption of person breaking into the other truck. So much for good news on the crime scene. They were really upset at the police and I figure if they have to pay for window of truck, just shy of $200.00 by the way, the police should at least give them the time of day and act concerned. I am disappointed to hear this and I thought they had made progress, I heard of arrests prior, but a guess we got a new group of thugs, so to speak, but this is no excuse for the Police Dept. They never heard from police for the rest of their stay in regards to if they caught the theives or not. Just thought I would make everyone out there aware that you should be careful when diving, they rolled all their windows down the rest of the time while diving, to avoid any further breaking of them, special insurance on rentals does not cover window break-ins I learned as well. Sorry to be bearer of bad news, but better to know, than not know.

we are currently staying at the divi , someone stole one weight belt and a pair of weight pockets from our truck Mon nite. Now we carry everything in at the end of the day...I'd like to catch the bastards...wouldn't need the police

Divi has basically completed a lockdown on access into the resort but they still don't post a guard at the two entrances...this has definately slowed down the transient traffic from the town...the gate near the dive shop is permantently locked...the gate at the other end (Caribe Inn) is also permanently locked....reports are that there has been "problems" I interpret that to mean break ins in the rooms that have been kept quiet

Sadly the situation will continue. Those "quiet" weeks were a mere fluke. After getting bombarded by the letters of visitors stating their unwillingness to return, the head honchos of course had to do something. Those "raids" could well be staged. In Peru, the crook, fugitive ex-president organized "raids" to "capture" those who were "damaging" the image of the government. Now it is being learned it was all a big show. Not an uncommon practice around South America. The government saw that tourists kept coming back despite the threats, so they adopted their "I don't care" attitude" again. They know that if you don't come, others will. What an unfortunate state of events! I much wanted to believe that things were really changing, but I knew it was too soon to celebrate. I hope that those who are still willing to return have a safe and event-free trip. Just my two cents. Coach Izzy

Gregg---divi (sometimes) they post a guard at the two entrances, but keep your eyes open when you are out, never let your scuba diving stuff and bags,cameras etc in your truck, is not safe inclusive with this two guards......bluefish

Gregg, your note answered one of my questions on another thread. Are they hitting the hotel side? While we were there in June we heard about two rooms on the hotel side being hit on the same nite. Heard it from a "guest", not the folks at the Divi.

On a nite drive down towards the Salt Pier one nite we saw a yellow compact car (newer model) stopping at each dive site and hovering around the trucks parked there. I am certain they were hitting the trucks but there was nothing we could do all alone out there in the dark in the middle of nowhere.

Watch for a bright yellow car cruising at night by the dive sites just in case, folks. Might be some banditos. Carole

Thanks for the warning. I refuse to yield. 31 Days and a Wakeup and God help anyone my brother in law and I catch trying to rip off our stuff.

Always had a hair-trigger temper that thought might get someone hurt. Chasing banditos does not a vacation make (more like a heart attack or other form of injury or death). Banditos probably don't read BT.

Look for better insurance, build in the cost of repair to the cost of the vacation, or look for another place to go. It is the difference between home and the bloody third world. We can't wait to fall in love with Bonaire, but we will never forget that it is the bloody third world with inherent lawlessness as the chief difference and risk.

That being said, 13 days and a wakeup and i know the score ahead of time-us, everyting, banditos, noting but a truck to break.

The Locking of the side gate saddens me. I always loved going out that gate to walk the promenade into town. I guess you just have to go on the main road for a bit before turning down to the waters edge.

Do most of these break ins occur during the dark hours or is daytime just as bad?

Unfortunately, the broken windows & break ins on vehicles occur both day & night and mostly at the dive sites. I am not sure about the problems at private homes and resorts. Something really needs to be done though and but sadly it appears there is much talk but too little action. It is amazing to me that enough pressure can't be applied to do more. There are only so many people on Bonaire and most likely there is a very small number of these criminals. Maybe even the hotels, dive shops & concerned citizens pooling money to hire security people to photograph incidents - then post the photographs all over the island? I mean when people are able to witness these things and give descriptions can it really be that difficult?? And a "yellow compact car"... well how many of these can there be on Bonaire - couldn't the police just follow for a few days???

I would like to point out that the yellow compact car is speculation and no actual crime was witnessed. And I don't believe Carole reported this to any authorities at the time which was in June. So while I do agree the police could be doing more, it is hard to expect them to be following around yellow cars if they have not been given any reason to.

hmm. i think yellow car = red herring. various testimonials indicate that the police often receive tourist crime complaints with beligerance or indifference. That coupled with their inability to capture and rehabilitate those responsible for a lot of criminal action on a very small island leaves a feeling of powerlessness and insecurity.

I can see how prosecuting thieves who victimize tourists may be difficult. In the U.S.A. you need eye witnesses to prosecute certain crimes, practically speaking. The victims in Bonaire are scattered to far reaches of the planet by the time any type of trial may be had. However, possession of stolen goods and their delivery are probably prosecutable without victims being present.

There are many other ways than prosecution, to ebb the tide of crime. Cop on the beat taking an interest in the community, asking questions about strangers in the neighborhood, and about little jonnie's whereabouts, et cetera.

Community involvement in local government also works. Resort owners getting off their dead ----es and showing up at monthly municipal meetings to air out security concerns works very well over time. "Over time" means they need to stick with it until the problem is solved, not just until the BT board quiets down. They also can rally non-resort owners to do the same.

I am sure it is useful and helpful for the BT ers to remain loud about this. Remaining quiet and marginalizing the issue would be counterproductive to our goals.

I need a vacation. joe

I really think the police could do a LOT more in the means of patroling dive site areas. They should get out, walk around wooden areas where theives hide. They could make them do community service to the amount of windows they broke that day or something to make them think twice. Not sure if that is legal to do in Bonaire, but at least they are doing something for what they did. I, for one, am going to write a letter to the Board of Tourism, may do no good, but at least I will feet better, maybe cc to the governor too. I am getting to know way too many people this is happening to and I know the police force added two new officers to its force, lets see them do something for the divers who bring in a lot of money to Bonaire. If the divers stopped coming, where would the economy be? I'm certain it will have a jelly roll effect on that in time. A lot of time has gone by already. Not all divers can afford to or want to do boat dives to avoid a broken window every time, or to be realisic, at least once on vaction, its gotten to the point that you have to include window damage in your vacation savings, something I would rather spend elsewhere on this beautiful island. I know crime is everywhere, some places worst, but the I don't care attitude and lack of interest in the divers protection is beyond me in any country that depends so much on tourism. That word will get out and around the world in no time. It's such a shame, I very sad :{

The continuing lack of real and permanent progress in dealing with crime on Bonaire for a very long time now must be very distressing to the decent residents of this island. For all those who visit, the question that must answered is whether it's worthwhile risking theft or injury by returning to Bonaire. Regrettably, some have decided not. Even more regrettably, others may well join them. Bonaire will move on regardless of the decisions of visitors. Still, for those who love this island, it is in Debbie Babcock's words, "..such a shame.."

Look for another place to go? I don't think so. Go to Bonaire, spend your money and follow the anti-theft guidance posted on Bonaire Talk about a million times - don't go - they win - no way!

We will continue to return to Bonaire. We feel very safe on Bonaire. Probably moreso than here in New Jersey

No, we did not contact the authorities about the car. I don't think any authorities in the world could "act" on seeing a particular car in several public areas during an evening. It was just an observation we made. Have no idea if they were inflicting harm or anything...we just observed it and thought it odd.

There would be no way for the Police to be at each and every dive site at every given moment of the day and night on Bonaire. That would be an impossible task for anyone. Sort of like trying to have patrols at every border crossing area in the US...nice thought, but not practical or capable.

Everyone, go to Bonaire and enjoy her wonders. Just use common sense, as one would use at home or anywhere else in the world. That's just something we all need to remember...even when we are on vacation.

Enjoy Bonaire! Ayo. Carole

Debbie and Gregg...by any chance do you know a fella named John Adams? He lives in your area. He's an old buddy of mine. It's nice where you guys are...we are up here in crowded Northern NJ...lucky you! And moving to Bonaire...even luckier!! Ayo. Carole

I agree not going to Bonaire is not the solution and actually the more people demanding attention to the issue the better. & besides I love Bonaire. Joe has some great ideas & points. My comment about the "yellow compact car" was only used as an example to illustrate that it seems the police and others are aware of certain things but show little concern in pursuing them.

As my wife mentioned before, we know people who just returned from Bonaire, had a window broken on their unlocked vehicle & witnessed another vehicle being broken into. This is how they described their experience when reporting the crime: "When we made the police report about our incident, the police didn't seem very interested or concerned. I had to force them to take a description of the young man I saw robbing another truck." It is bad enough that these people had this experience but very sad that they received such a reaction from the police. Not very conducive to solving the problem or to maintaining, let alone promoting, the tourist industry.

There are only so many full time people on Bonaire. When you consider the age of these perpetrators that number is reduced substantially. If the police aggressively took descriptions then that number would probably be reduced to a handful or so. Add a couple of incidents with the same description the results might be surprising. But, unless the police & others are interested in solving the problem then nothing will happen and this, unfortunately may be the problem.

It also seems that these incidents happen frequently at Karpata, 1000 steps, and a couple other dive sites. One would think that a sting operation revolving thru the various sites would produce some results and really would not take that many police.

I also think that anyone involved in an incident, as well as the hotel/resort operators and car rental agencies should be encouraged to report the crimes. I can understand that some operators don’t want their guests to report these things because of the bad publicity but by ignoring the situation it will not go away.

Just my opinion.

Gregg Babcock

Hi Carol,
No, we don't know John Adams. What town does he live in? As soon as I find a decent picture of my hubby and I together, I am going to put it on my profile. Thought it was done. Yes, it is nice here in south Jersey, but the leaves have already started to fall, had to wear a light jacket twice already! Wish I was on Bonaire now!!!! And to think that my husband is going in Oct. and Nov.! I am so green--- But he will be very busy with his to do list for our house. I have to wait till February.

Carole,
P.S. We are not quite moving to Bonaire yet, yes we bought a place, the people I was referring to that had their truck broken into were staying at our place. To make matters worse, it was one of our countries finest military man and his finacee (sp) He just finished a tour of duty in Iraq, and took time off to come to Bonaire for diving and relaxation! She was quite upset by it, but both did enjoy their time and it was also during Ivan!! He is presently awaiting deploy in Kiwait. Now I was just down in end of August, beginning of Sept. and experienced no problems, but without hubby and two teenage girls, we just stuck to snorkling and someone always stayed on shore to be safe. I must go try to find that photo for my profile! We will eventually retire 100% in 10 years in Bonaire. Our place should be paid for by then.

While I wish that car prowls were not a problem in Bonaire, they are (and have been for the entire 10 years I have been visiting). I also wish they were not a problem at hiking trail heads and in certain cities.

That said, here is what has consistently worked for me:

a) Leave *nothing* of value in the car. Even old running shorts or gym bags are targets as some folks leave cash in them. The driver license and a few guilders dive with me in a plastic case that (sometimes) keeps them dry.
b) Use the club or similar device if it is provided.
c) Do not lock the car. Leave the windows down (this makes it clear to any potential thief that s/he does not need to break the window to get in). The only problem is when it rains...
d) The few items I do leave (i.e., old Tevas or a t shirt) I use a thin wire cable lock (an old ski lock).
e) When parking at night, park in as well lit an area as possible.

Carole,

One of the suggestions I made was that the police indeed can and should receive and investigate reports about suspicious persons and vehicles trolling parking areas. I do not know how else police would do police work. That is what they do. They go ask questions of strange people doing strange things. Asking questions i think is legal anywhere. Having frequent patrols on dive sights is part of the answer. Stings are another form of police work.

These are the things the police chief would be talking about in front of me if I was on the municipal council in Bonaire. Also in the room would be in attendance restaurant managers, resort owners, bar owners, dive shop managers, rotary club members, knights of columbus and the director of the chamber of commerce, plenty of average joe's and jen's as well.

The police part is really pretty easy. I'm kind of in the business. The issue is whether they want to catch the "crowd" of banditos. Maybe there is no money or facilities to house, transport, or prosecute.

Your second message seemed to apologize for your first. Your previous messages on earlier threads were very informative and productive. My home does not require the type of "common sense" necessary to protect myself from the criminality on Bonaire. I hope that most BTers homes are a little more suburbanly safe.

Is there local government on Bonaire? Is there an answering Board? Are there monthly meetings? Who does the chief answer to, just the Governor? Certainly there must be neighborhood or district representation. Somehow the chief must answer publicly where the manpower is going.

We have used roughly the same procedure David Johnson posted above for the last 3 years and have not had a problem yet; that's not say we won't but we think it definately puts the odds in our favor - no such thing as zero defect environment. Put the odds in your favor - diving freedom is worth it. 27 Days and a wakeup!

Joe - nice suggestion if the police were responsible to the island council of Bonaire. However, the police are not. They are controlled and responsible to the Ministry of Justice in Curacao, which is a major root of many police administrative and organizational problems on Bonaire. Curacao doesn't give a hoot about what goes on on Bonaire as long as Bonaire sends them Tax revenue (which by law it must - can't withhold it).

Jake

PS I was on a night dive at the Hilma Hooker Wednesday night, with a rental track courtest of a visiting friend - only vehicle in sight, and we had no problems. We also didn't leave anything of value in the vehicle, and windows were rolled down and doors unlocked. Same friends were shore diving all week with no problems (and same procedure).

What Bonaire needs is a Sheriff. Small town Police are always tied to the politicians and since the pols are in Curacao... what do the fat butt local Majors care. The rank and file foot-police follow the lazy big butts leadership (or lack thereof). Now a locally ELECTED Sheriff with a half dozen Deputies would work wonders.

I'll vote for that! Just imagine Bonaire with a sheriff!!! Kinda like the wild west, well it is desert like. Hey, the idea is too funny, it might work! Beats a blank.

CITIZEN's ARREST!!!

Amazing what appears where folks obviously have more time on their hands than they can handle... Accusing Bonaire's senior police officials of having "fat butts" (like they cannot read this site and won't take offense to your accusations) Sherrif's, Sherrif's deputies and now Citizen's Arrest.

I can see a group of diver's driving wildly though town screaming STOP, THIEF !!!! all the while tank, fins, and gear are flying out the back of their truck..

And what happens IF you managed to catch the thief??? You gonna tie em up with your safety sausage, load em in the back of the truck and then go where ??? Rincon ???? And how are you going to explain that you arrested locals ????

Damn... obviously I need something to do also.

I did a search of crime on the Site to find addresses and found instead a lot in first hand experience with break-ins from BTers. The problem is not hitting close to home; it is home. Nothin' to do but take David's, Jake's,and Marcus' advice. Be loud when you can, to the high heavens if necessary. Then enjoy Bonaire.

12 days and a wake-up! Ayo. joe

Hmmm, Secret Agent is being critical of everything he sees again.
He is behaving more like Ernst Stavro Blofeld than James Bond.

Mary,

IF you would spend less time in front of the tube watching really old (and campy) movies, and more time closely reading the rants, you would realize that I am not being critical of everything...

If divers would read and adhere to the comments of David Johnson (which have been stated time and again) the lost of personal property at dive sites would cease, if it's not there, they can't steal it. If other so-called experienced talkers would not slander the police officials or put forth inane comments simple to see their name in "lights" or add to the their message count and concentrate on realistic solutions, then put forth these solutions to the influential folks of Bonaire, I would have nothing to poke fun at.

OBTW, Lighten up...

Jake forgot to mention that his dive buddy forgot to pull out the hand brake and found the truck had rolled into the middle of a large puddle when we got out.

Woops!!! Did I say we? OK, it was me, so I guess I forgot. Thank God it rolled that way and not the other. This was our first trip to Bonaire and because of BT I was very concerned (though not really worried) but we always left the truck unlocked as instructed and never had anything taken. If you're that worried, buy trip insurance.

As long as it was just a large puddle it rolled into, and not the ocean -- a friend of ours had his truck end up in the drink when he forgot to set the hand brake (we kept reminding him, but we weren't with him on this particular dive). Can't remember for sure, but I think it was at Oil Slick Leap, no less. The truck got its picture in the Bonaire Reporter that week as a local tow crew hoisted it out of the water. This was back in October 2000...

Faith

Faith, was that the jeep over by Karel's? Carole

The difference between the traditional roles of the Police and the county Sheriff is more of an accountability issue.
The Police report to the Police Chief (or Major) who reports to the Governor who reports to Curacao.
A locally elected Sheriff reports to the citizens, business groups, churches, booster clubs and other groups that help get him elected.

Another post...plug in those lights

Wally, what do you mean plug in those lights?

Wally, there is one other point to concider... Bonaire is not part of the US, and in Europe a Sheriff system does not exist.
The report of change of the Kingdom statut (which will be public on the 8th of October) seems to say that the 3 small islands (Bonaire, Saba and St.Eustatius) should have a direct link to The Netherlands (St.Maarten and Curacao a status aparte like Aruba)... and I think this will bring Dutch rules and Dutch police to the island -- and that is exactly what the people of Bonaire voted for in the referendum 2 weeks ago.

Didn't Bonaire just vote to break away from Curacao?

Hi Brigitte...I realize the old Sheriff system (I think it originated in England) no longer exist in Europe...and is beginning to fade in the US....but it still is a good system for smaller towns and rural areas.
I would suspect a good portion of the local petty thievery is not by imported Dutch kids but by local kids. I'm wondering how well the imported Dutch police will hook up with the locals.
Should be interesting to see how the politics shake out with the referendum.
I have always employed people (since 1978) and have always found that direct accountability really improves performance. Of course I've actually never had a job working for somebody else, I started my first of many business straight out of university...so what do I know. I could very well be reaching the beginning stages of "old fart"

Robert, yes, they voted to break away from Curacao ... which means much closer ties with The Netherlands
Wally&Eva, nobody knows exactly I think, but on Bonaire live about 50% "real" Bonaireans and the rest is coming from about 30 different countries,
with the Dominican Republic and The Netherlands a big majority.
I myself don't like to occupy myself with thoughts of something completly unrealistic ... like the sheriff idea ... it is a Dutch and with that European island and whatever we want to archive, we have to work within these European systems.

I lived in Germany for 7 years. If the Dutch Police are anything like the German Police, crime on Bonaire should diminish in a big hurry if and when the Dutch Police are deployed.

I started this thread to make anyone who might read about what happened to people we knew and make everyone aware of it and what they did to prevent further damages. Yes, all divers, please roll ALL your windows down, leave nothing in vehicle and pray for the best. My only other comment was that Bonaire police were not very concerned and I think that it should change for sake of tourism and safety for all. This thread is getting a little carried away and some feelings are getting hurt and shouldn't. That was not the purpose of this thread. Unfortunately, I do know the policies and laws that are present and understand that there was a vote for the better of Bonaire. Great, however, this issue is still occurring and many people come to this island unaware, don't have knowledge of this website, are victims, never return and that is what worries me, I was just venting my frustration on this matter and truly hope that by us posting every time it happens, it does eventually get some good to come from it, maybe we all should write letters to the governor and Board of Tourism every time it happens to one of us, stats are always good to have for the future. There is a need to do something. The vote was the first step in this battle. I know it will take time, but the police should know that how they treat tourists, divers, whoever, has an effect on their economy. I don't believe we should roll over and take it either, but my message hopefully gets to newcomers who have yet to be on Bonaire and are prepared on how to go diving when they are going from the shore. Not everyone is told when they rent a car about it. Some are to be fair. Here's hoping for a better future for Bonaire!!

Here are the addresses I published on different subjects on BT --- please write, and please don't forget the Extra
That is part of the result from the July mails send by lots of locals and BT'ers

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/36/175205.html?1093239434

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/36/180656.html?1095076563

Sorry, forgot to past the addresses

Gedeputeerde van Tourism:
Burney Elhage
elhage@bonairelive.com
Bestuurskantoor
Plasa Wilhelmina
Kralendijk Bonaire
Phone +717-4020


Gezaghebber Herbert Domacasse:
gezag@bonairelive.com
Bestuurskantoor
Plasa Wilhelmina
Kralendijk Bonaire
Phone +717-5330 tst. 220

Ramonsito Booi ( Statenlid)
rtbooi@bonairelive.com
Ministerraad Bonaire
J.A. Abraham Blvd.
Kralendijk Bonaire
Phone +717-5330 tst 117/118

Extra Bonaire
E-mail Address(es):
extrabon@telbonet.an

We just returned from Bonaire and a wonderful week of diving. We are already planning and anticipating next years trip! This year was the first time that we left one person behind as a guard to watch the truck. The piles of glass at the various dive sites such as Karpata, Oil Slick, Ole Blue and many more, convinced us of the need to have someone with the truck. We talked to several people whose window glass was broken (with the doors unlocked with at least one window down)and to one guy whose spare was stolen. The people of Bonaire are good, honest people and I think this is the work of just a handful of criminals. I'm certainly not making fun of, or criticizing the local police, but how hard would it be to stake out say, Karpata? Judging by the broken glass on the ground there, it surely wouldn't be long before someone was caught! In the meantime, we'll be back next year, we'll be shore diving, and we'll be leaving a person behind to watch the truck. As someone has already stated, "What a shame"

In the end, there is no "they win". The island loses, period. I don't count myself "an old Caribbean hand" but I've been there enough to know how to be sensible about security. I've even been through one break-in (BVI, Cooper Island - BTW, the police nailed the thieves). But if things are to the state of "leave nothing in the vehicle, leave the windows open, build the cost of repairs into the trip, and leave nothing on the patio or balcony you can't afford to lose", then I'll vote with my feet (and my dollars). The thieves can't steal what isn't there: me and mine. Too bad, Bonaire, it could have been nice.