Would you folks be good enough to share more info before i go?
*** I would like people who didn't have theft problems to write also!!
How much of a problem is it really?
Is it less inside the park? more?
Do they break windows if you lock?
What about your stuff by your beach blanket while snorkeling(would hiding it nearby work)is it any safer than in the car? sorry for the run on questions,thanks ron

Next year will be our 10th on Bonaire and we have never had a theft problem. We had friends that did. We have always left the car unlocked and our stuff on the beach. Yes, windows to get broken at times. Have not heard much lately about problems. We have always felt safe personally. Just use normal precautions as you would anywhere and leave nothing of value lying around. Don't worry about it and have a great time.

Oh Lordy here we go again

My friends and I have been visiting/living on Bonaire for more years than we care to admit. To date the only item that was "borrowed" from me was a cooler from the bed of my truck and I am sure it was taken by other divers whose need was greater than mine.

I know for a fact that windows have been broken out of locked cars to remove items of possible value (includes sunglasses, towels, etc.). This happens VERY infrequently. As experienced Bonaire divers we never lock the doors, and we NEVER leave anything behind that we are not willing to "share".

Bonaire is NOT paradise !!! You will spend more on vacation than some of these wonderful folks make in a year. Human nature being what it is, a few simple precautions and you too will have a wonderful, care-free vacation.

Just returned yesterday from our 3rd trip, and we encountered no theft/crime issues and didn't hear about any. The crime against tourists that you hear reported is almost always petty theft, with almost no risk of crimes against persons or crime involving weapons. There was a spate of gasoline and spare-tire thefts a while back, but I haven't heard much about that recently. We follow the same precautions as others have outlined - leave the vehicle unlocked, don't leave anything in the vehicle that you would be upset about losing. We routinely leave flip-flops, T-shirts, etc. in the truck and have never lost anything (possibly a commentary on the sad condition of our wardrobes!). You can leave spare tanks with no concern. I would guess that as a general rule, theft will be a bigger problem at more remote sites, but we have often been the only divers at sites down south past the Salt Pier and haven't lost anything. The Park is SO remote I doubt many thieves hang out way up there. Anyway, petty theft can and does happen. Nobody likes it, but you can reduce your risk substantially by using common sense. If you decide to leave your Nikon on the front seat of your truck when you dive at Nukove - well, good luck. It is sad that we keep talking about crime, but in my opinion, risk is low and manageable and certainly won't dissuade me from returning to Bonaire every year.

Same here. We have never had anything stolen from our truck. We usually leave towels, flip flops, sunglasses etc under the seats while leaving the windows down on the vehicle. We never leave anything major in the vehicle. Seems to be working so far.

Ronald,

I moved this thread here from Trip Reports, as your message wasn't one :-)

We've heard no reports of dive site theft in the last couple of months, so things appear to be quiet once again.

As far as precautions, the advice given above is good. Follow it and you shouldn't have any problems.

Jake

Oh no! not another theft report! I'll get my hardhat!

Ron, we just returned from two weeks on Bonaire and had no problems at all. Heard of none while on island, either. We have never had any crime/theft problems on any of our trips. Just follow the basic rules and suggestions that have been posted here and you should be fine. We always locked our doors at our timeshare...just as we do at home. Common sense. Bonaire definitely is not crime-ridden as are some other Caribbean islands. Relax and have a great time! Carole

I can add to those messages that after six yearly trips for a total of eight weeks, I have not a single incident to report. We follow however the basic rule, repeated again and again, to leave the car doors unlocked and the windows open while leaving the car for a dive.

Bonaire is definitely a safe and friendly place.

I think somebody took one of my beers....but Eva said I drank it...we are still discussing the circumstances....quit fretting....

I would question Gregg Brewer, myself! LOL. Don't be upset with me Gregg....I'm not even certain the missing beer is a Miller Lite! LOL. Carole

Only Amstal on Bonaire Carole....in those little itty bitty 8 oz....whats.that in milliliters....milli sure sounds small.

Carole,

You got me! I have to admit, if someone left a cooler of ML in the back of their truck while diving, I would be greatly tempted and most likely would succumb to the temptation. Of course, I would leave several guilders as a payment.

Carole, I'll be back in September with a fresh case of ML...for those who question my intensity for ML, check out the Divi KLM dock mid day...you will usually find me there with a ML in hand and a smile on my face.

Carole, I saw your posting where you said you liked the new sliding doors. Which room do you have (first or second floor). Did they get the locks installed?

I forgot to mention, someone stole a scuba tank from the back of my truck while parked overnite in the "guarded" Divi parking lot. This is the only theft I have suffered in 16+ yrs in Bonaire. I've lost my pride several times but nothing more serious until this trip in /Apri/May

A SCUBA TANK? Wow, who'd a thunk it?

Ok, seven trips over ten years. No problem to date. Except that I have left stuff behind at dives sites after hiding it and then I would forget to retrieve it. My Amstels always seem to disappear too. I once lost all my money and a credit card, only to find them two days later in my secret hiding spot in my room (My wifes shorts pocket). Lucky me, I was runnig low on Amstel.

Really though, just use your head. I have yet to have a single issue regarding theft or similar problem anywhere on Bonaire, ever. I am sure that if you continually leave yourself exposed, sooner or later, something will happen. I would not leave all my stuff unattended at a Lake Michigan beach either. (Kids might drink my Blue)

Dave

Hi Ron! After 4 trips, we've never had any problems with theft either. Ditto everything others are saying above re: leaving truck open while shore diving. Where are you staying? Most likely, they will have safes in the room. Don't forget to lock up your valuables (passport, jewelry, money, etc.) in the safe where you are staying. We've never had anything stolen from our room, but have heard of others missing stuff from their room. We'll be in Bonaire next week, June 24th through July 2nd, and it's always good to read these messages as it reminds us of what we need to be mindful about.

Have a great trip!

We had stuff taken from our truck and were there from 5/17 - 5/24. We had left all doors unlocked and all windows down. They took our sun hats and my husband's prescription eyeglasses. The eyeglasses were in a yellow plastic case that I'm sure they took thinking they were getting money or something. So, I wouldn't recommend leaving anything like that in your truck. This was the first time it happened to us and we have been to Bonaire 5 times. It really frustrated us...especially about the glasses but, we didn't let it ruin our trip.

One other comment (sorry :-) We went and filed a police report and had heard that other divers at a dive site a little north of ours also had their eye glasses stolen.

Very, very safe on Bonaire, but do use common sense.
Take only what you need for your dive. We only left
our water bottles and a small towel in the vehicle, so if they want those, go ahead. We had our licence
plates stolen but I think that was a tourist and my
husband had his ratty, old dive boots taken from our window, but my new one's were left. I think that was an inside job because he got a new pair out of the deal and guess who paid!! Have an awesome time.

Renea,

My husband has prescription sunglasses. We bought glasses holders from our dive shop that clip onto our BCs when we dive. They were only about $7.00 and work great.

Here is a comprehensive list of everything that has mysteriously gone missing while I have been diving in Bonaire:

1. Stress.
2. Pasty white skin.
3. All the air from one tire on a rental car - although it was easily replaced after I had a cactus needle removed and a pucture repaired.
4. One white sock. Actually, this seems to happen every time I use a washing machine, even when not in Bonaire.
5. 1/2 of a ripe banana. Although I gave an eyewitness account, the bandit Iguana was never apprehended.

[8]-j

Hi, Gregg....we were in 701 on the end by the dive shop (timeshare side). No, you still can't lock the sliding glass doors from the outside. We used the kitchen door to get in and out. We were upset (well, if one can ever really get "upset" while on Bonaire!) a couple of days, however, as the housekeeper failed to relock the sliding glass doors after mopping down the outside porch tiles (cleanliness to an extreme?). We contacted the operator and she passed the word along to the housekeeping department and it did not happen again.

I wonder if they will ever place locks on the sliding doors??? It would be nice as it is better to be safe than sorry.

We used the room safe every day but I did not appreciate the glass doors being left unlocked after the room was cleaned.

Boy, they love to clean rooms!! I have never seen so much attention paid to cleaning rooms and restocking towels, etc. We had to beg one older woman to "not" come in to clean the whole place a couple of times! LOL. To make her feel better we would ask for some towels or TP or something so she did not feel rejected by us. She was very sweet. Loved to clean up!

One day the porch tiles were "too" clean....there was a layer of soap on them that would kill a herd of wild donkeys (yes, they did try to come into our room to visit on a few occasions!) when wet. We walked very gingerly across those tiles for days. Clean, clean, clean!

I would be back there in a heartbeat, however, if I could......you're so lucky....returning in September, eh? Ayo. Carole

PS There are now thatched huts on the beach (KLM contract called for shade on the beach for their employees, per someone at the beach) so you might find Dini and the other crew members in the "shade" under the palm fronds now. It was quite interesting to watch them be constructed, too....they went up in a few days and then they had about two feet off the top chopped off as the acting manager (Frits was on vacation) said they were too tall.......buzz went the saws and the palm frond covered huts were shortened and reconstructed. Quite interesting......noisy, however. Oh well....I would tolerate the buzz saw again in a heartbeat, too!! LOL.

So, Gregg, if you can't find your tanning pier buddies on the pier....look under the palm frond huts! cb

Hi All, I am a lurker no more! For you experienced BT Talkers, I am married to Sebbo.

As for thievery, we had a spare tire stolen while doing a twilight dive at Weber's Joy (Witches Hut). We now bring a Sesame lock (a type of combination lock) that has been heavily saturated with WD40, and we buy a small length of chain from Kooyman (spelling?), the large hardware store just north of town on Kaya Krona. We chain up the tire and secure the lock with a sandwich bag and tape to keep out the moisture. It was a bit of an annoyance and expense dealing with the tire theft and we do not want to have to experience that again.
The only other theft we had was very minor. We parked near Andrea II and had some licorice and some small change (gilders left in the ash tray) stolen by some kids.
We bring along easily replaced items when we shore dive. We have cheap sandals, ratty towels, plastic water bottles, etc. We leave the windows open all the time.
If anyone is very concerned about theft whilst shore diving, just go south and park where the Pink Dive Bus is parked. The dive bus has a weekly schedule and is parked from about 10 AM till 4:30 PM. They go to the Salt Pier, Hilma Hooker, Pink Beach, and I forget the rest of their schedule.
I wish that there was something similar for shore diving in the north!
Have a blast.

"I wish that there was something similar for shore diving in the north!"

Mary,

It has been discussed on Bonaire Talk before:

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/78614.html?1050793659

My wife and I visited Bonaire for the first time one year ago. We always felt very safe and never saw anyone or anything suspicious at any of the dive sites. However, when we returned our rental car we were asked “Where is the spare tire!?” Apparently, at one of the dive sites our spare tire was stolen without us knowing. It was the only negative note on an otherwise great trip. We purchased insurance, but we were charged $280.00, which was less than the deductible. It wasn’t the greatest way to finish our trip, but we will be back. Bonaire is an awesome place and we arrive again this Wednesday for a much anticipated return.

Well, I have to report a missing regulator. I do not know if it was stolen or if someone picked it up by mistake, but I ended up leaving Bonaire without it. On my last day/night of diving (Monday night around 6:00 p.m.), I was rinsing my gear at Buddy Dive and stowing it away in my gear bag. I must have been distracted talking about the baby green frogfish I found at Buddy's reef and forgotten that my regulator was in the rinse tank. Later that evening, I was going to review my dive computer (which was attached in the console unit along with my gauge) for the dives I had done that day. I looked around our apartment unit for my regulator and couldn't find it. So, at about 11:00 p.m. I went down to the rinse tanks to retrieve it and it was gone. Vanished! The next morning, I put a sign up on Buddy's dive schedule chalkboard but never heard anything. I'm going to give it some time (a couple of weeks) before giving up all hope.

However, I will ask that if anyone was at Buddy Dive Monday evening, June 30th, to please check your equipment to see if you have an unfamiliar regulator. Or if you found a regulator, please contact me and I will describe it to see if it could be mine.

Thanks,
Greta

Greta, I am not yelling directl;y at you, but I have read this same sad tale too many times. The rinse tank at Buddys is very centrally located and seems designed to distract gear rinsers. Here is the scoop, buddy check before AND AFTER the dive. I got me gear, you got yours? We all get so excited after a dive, I find you have to put on the reality brake for a moment and check your inventory.

Seb, Thanks for the advice. I will remember that for next time! Can't do anything about it now except wait and see if it turns up. Maybe others will heed your advice too.

I have hesitated to add to this but the truth is Bonaire is a truly magical environment. Yes I am well aware s**t happens but.... over 20 years of visits we have been very fortunate ( and careful!!) Small things might disappear but in the resorts this is quite unusual. Last year I was very distracted while we were completing our house and to get away were diving with Toucan at the Plaza (they seem to have the most customer oriented attitude and most resources that I have encountered on the island and yes I have tried most of them....)
The one that really sticks in my memory is after a full days diving I was rushing back to make sure stuff was done and left a camera (yes I mean a housing with N90 and 105 and dual strobes) in the tank. Later that evening at Capriccios (you really mean there is another restaurant on this island???) near heart attack when I realized it what I had done... rushed over there and it was gone!!! NExt morning wandered over there and Luciano made some comment about Romano wondering which idiot left that there.... after reunion copious amounts of lubricant were applied to aswage the trauma to the dive staff after finding said item in the wash.
Lets face it no environment is perfect... but a more benign one I have yet to find and believe me before I bought this house I really tried. The persona of 99.9% of the Bonarieans is fantastic and one needs to to be very clear that there is only a small fringe that is an issue at this time. For the sake of both those who live on the island and also the visitors I pray the magic on this island continues to be true.

david

While it's likely most Bonaire residents are indeed kind, gentle, honest caring folk (we've met many, and clearly this is true) there's no chance of 99.9% being perfect folks. The numbers just don't add up. With about 10,000 residents, 0.1% of those would equal 10 people. I'd guess it unlikely 10 people have caused all of the thefts and other crime issues on the island.

If it were truly only 10 people causing the problems, one would hope the police would be able to find those 10. Or that the local businesses could find jobs for them to give them something better to do than pilfer goods from tourists. Sadly, the number must be greater than 10, and the percentage somewhat different than you suggest.

Where is the sign that says Bonaire is "Paradise" ???? People the sign reads "Divers Paradise". Get wise, IF you leave valuables in an unattended vehicle or on the beach and go "away" you are offering these items as awards to the enterprising. It does not matter if you are on Bonaire, Aruba or Panama City Beach, FL in the US of A. Percentages are what you want to make of them, if you leave your hotel door unlocked, or if you leave anything of value in your abandoned vehicle and it disappears you have no one to blame but yourself, no matter where you are.

It has been said over and over, the average diver blows more on a one week vacation than the mean income of a native Bonairian, nowadays almost everybody wants MORE and you are merely offering a few (very few) persons a convenient of obtaining it. Maybe you expect a "Thank You" note left on the seat. (damn stumbled on the olde soap box again)

"if you leave anything of value in your abandoned vehicle and it disappears you have no one to blame but yourself"

I've tried to refrain from entering this ongoing conversation but this remark I could not leave uncontested. The basis for the preceding quote is wrong. It's exactly the same theory as saying it is the woman's fault for dressing like "that".

Blame the victim? Please, give our society more credit than that.

You equate petty (or even major) theft to sexual assault !!?!?!?!? Robert, you ain't even in the same ballpark.

My statement stands on it's own merit... temptation, depending on one's "society" can be too strong to resist. You might not covet your neighbor's $75.00 sunglasses because you have a $100.00 pair, or you find a wallet packed full of 20's and strive to return it, but ask yourself this, you find a bank bag with 100's of thousands of dollars in unmarked bills....whatcha gonna do ???? How strong is your moral fiber ??? Did you have a moments hesitation ??? well if you or any of the readers did, even for a moment, then you understand how easy it is for some less fortunates to "find" a camera, or bag or even a classy beach towel and assume that the "previous" owner must not want/need it because it was left just laying around.

I have yet to visit Bonaire(four weeks and counting), but i have travelled to many other countries where the fortunate(ie tourists) and the less fortunate come into contact and conflict. The facts are simple-as posted above- these people earn very little and the tourists that visit have seemingly endless amounts of cash and possesions. Often-(I understand not always)- the profits made by the tourist resorts do not get ploughed back into the local communities, and the jobs provided by the tourist industry are low-level jobs with little chance of advancement.
Now we might logically comment that if tourist theft is rife, then they will lose their livlihood, but people are often not logical when they are faced with what seems like inequality. If there is high unemployment and poverty on the island, then the daily needs often outweigh any logic. the sight of a tourist with hundreds of dollars of dive equipment leads to the conclusion that a $10 towel is not of great importance to them.

i understand it is traumatic and unpleasant to be a victim of theft-I have had my home burgled and my car broken into 8 times, I have also had hotels robbed and an attempted mugging whilst travelling, and countless attempts to pickpocket. That is just the downside of being more fortunate than others. if everyone had an equal and fair standard of living, then theft would disappear.

I guess my rambling point is, don't let theft ruin a vacation for you, or prevent you from travelling somewhere. Take all sensible precautions- if something is that important to you- don't take it with you, and remember that even the most cautious and sensible traveller still gets caught out on occasion.

I agree, leave it unattended or in a locked car and it may well be taken. We have been to Bonaire many times with very little problem. Last Feb some folks were diving with us at Ole Blue, they had a sea & sea camera, my wife noticed they left it behind. She asked them where the camera was and they replied, we left it in the glove compartment, my wife said OOOOOK if it is stolen don't complain about it dummy. Luckly it was not taken but that is how most of the thefts on Bonaire take place. Also it probably has something to do with how the women dress.(G)

(Message edited by jthomas on July 7, 2003)

"whatcha gonna do ????"

I'm going to teach children at home what is right. I am going to lead by example. I am going to attempt to create job opportunities. I am going to stress to the authorities that addressing "petty crime" is worth their time and effort.

It is so obvious we all agree on this, but I can not allow a statement that the innocent are in any way to blame.

My original comment is exclusively in response to your comment on blaming the victim. I chose an analogy that would express my view as clearly as possible. And as previously stated and experienced by me, the person who steals from cars at dive sites without consequence is the same individual who eventually pries open a window grate in the middle of the night and breaks into your condo.

"Finding" items in someone else's car should not be condoned by any civilized society for whatever reason. Financial status should have no influence on morality. People with far less means than any Bonairian kid on a bike have shown us far more character. Take your pick, Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed.

Kids will be kids, granted. The emphasis here should be on education and opportunity. The alternative is gated communities and boat dives. In my opinion that is not Dive Freedom.

And if anyone thinks I'm overreacting, my personal experience is four separate Bonairian dive vacations all with "incidences", including a breaking and entering.

Go ahead, blame me.

btw I know there are those who have yet to experience any crime and probably/hopefully may never. And they also speak "their" truth. That is what this forum is for. For each of us to express and share our personal experience and derive our own conclusions from the discussions. Refraining from participating when personal experience is a guide would be a disservice to all.

Yeah Bob...that's what we say !!!!! just because you leave something in your car....it's not open season...

Okay guys & gals! Yes, I'm the one with the missing regulator. Yes, I left it in the rinse tank! Yes, I accept full responsibility! But that's not going to keep me from posting my loss here on BT and requesting that if someone happened upon it to please contact me. I am very willing to accept my loss and move on, but there is no harm in using everything to my advantage (including BT) to try and recover my lost regulator. You never know, maybe someone "borrowed" it during their stay and will release it when they are finished. I really don't care. I'm just hoping it finds its way home soon!

I know some of you out there believe in the "Finders-Keepers, Losers-Weepers" theory and lay blame with the careless owner. That's fine! I was a careless owner...tired & careless. (I do not use the word "victim" here because I do not believe I am a victim of this loss.) However, I personally do not believe in the "Finders-Keepers...." theory. Maybe it's the way I was raised...with values, ethics & morals. If I find something of value that doesn't belong to me, I will try my hardest to return it to its rightful owner. In this case, being a regulator setup at a dive resort, I wouldn't think it would be too difficult to find the rightful owner! Especially since I had posted a sign on the dive chalkboard where almost everybody wanders over to see what's going on. Whoever took it wanted it!

As for the local Bonairean people, they are a very pleasant & kind people. Yes, they have their fair share of criminals, petty or otherwise. However, I do not think that should keep anyone from experiencing all that Bonaire has to offer. And to make one thing VERY CLEAR, I do not suspect a "local" took my regulator out of the rinse tank at Buddy's. I personally have not seen many locals down there other than the dive or hotel staff. (Call me naive if you want!) However, it is a high traffic area for people doing night shore dives or snorkeling. It's also a high traffic area for people walking back and forth between Buddy's and the Lion's Den restaurant. There also happened to be a lot of "young" people (teenagers) roaming about without their parents that night. My gut feeling is that it was another tourist either staying at Buddy Dive or the Lion's Dive. Actually, my gut tells me it was one of the young teenaged tourists wandering about late that night. (My gut feelings are based on process of elimination of various scenarios and my personal observations.) Remember, before you condemn or question me for my gut feelings....I'm not making any accusations. I'm merely stating what my gut feelins are. I'm not a detective, just human.

Would you like to know what really ticks me off? Well, I'll tell you anyway. My regulator came up missing Monday night. Tuesday morning, we went to the front desk to ask them to review their security tapes. Yes, Buddy Dive does have a camera focused on the rinse tank area! We asked if we could review the tapes too. (How else are they going to know what to look for? They don't know what my regulator looks like.) They shocked us by telling us that we could not review the tapes! Needless to say, I was appalled but did not make a scene. Looking back, I should have insisted that I review the tapes!

Now that I've said all I have to say, let's remember what Ronald McConnell initially requested when he started this thread! My posts were intended to inform him of my experiences. And yes, Robert, that is what this forum is for. If no one had responded to Mr. McConnell's request, then he might feel less prepared than he does now! I'm glad BT is here for many reasons, one of which I can come back home and hope that the finder of my regulator will read BT and be able to reunite us! If not, I will be returning to Bonaire in the future with a different regulator setup!

And yes, I do have PBD now! I can't wait until the next time I visit Bonaire!

Oh! One more thing. I wanted to address Jacqueline's comments.

Jacqueline, I am confident you'll enjoy Bonaire on your first visit and every visit thereafter. While in Bonaire, I doubt you'll experience anything as traumatic as the criminal activity you've personally had to endure in other places. Losing my regulator pales in comparison to being mugged! I can replace my equipment.

Have a wonderful time! If you make it to the BT dinner at Gibi's on Tuesday night while you are there, please tell everyone I said hello including Gibi himself!

Robert:

"Go ahead, blame me" Nahhh, way too easy. :-)

Debbie:

"just because you leave something in your car....it's not open season..." Quickie question, do you leave items of value in your car in the States ? if so do NOT come to any major city and leave your car unattended.

Greta:

There is nothing the least bit amusing when it comes to the lost of one's regulator on Bonaire or anywhere else. A quickie thought, Buddy Dive may have video cameras, but do they also have loop recording machines.

This is an idea and maybe it is a stupid one but, I'll mention it anyway. Wonder why the local police can't periodically patrol the dive sites a few days a week at random? Just driving around them might deter some thieves from stealing from the trucks while people are diving. If they think the police might be driving by at any time, they might think twice about rummaging through someone's truck.

It is just a thought....

It an excellent idea and the Marine Park Patrol does randomly visit the dive sites and as memory serves aided in the apprehension of juvenile thieves some months ago. The problem here is that the Marine Park organization (and I welcome correction in this fact) is funded almost soley by the sale of the Marine Park Tags (currently $10.00). Attempts to raise the price of these tags have been met with bitter resistance, so they do the best they can with that which they have.

I do not know if Buddy Dive has loop recording machines. However, they did tell us that they reviewed the tapes and found nothing out of the ordinary. Of course, they're not going to find anything out of the ordinary. Someone picking up a regulator from the rinse tank looks like business as usual. Oh, and the front office wouldn't take a description of my regulator before reviewing the tapes. How in the world were they supposed to know what to look for? That's what bugs the dickens out of me! Let's just say they weren't very helpful and it won't go unnoticed!

Greta, In defense of Buddy Dive waterfront operation and Staff I have always found them to be first rate. As I am unfamiliar with their "front office" personnel I will not comment, except to express my sympathy for the loss.

However, your willingness to admit to PBD in spite of this event places you among the strong (and slightly crazy) and therefore I would be pleased to someday meet and dive with you... whatcha say to The Invisibles ??

C. Kritagent (Don't know your first name):

noladiver@yahoo.com - - Are you from New Orleans?

Diving The Invisibles - - Would that be the Invisible Regulator? Bubbles..Bubbles..Bubbles 0000 :-)

I'm not really crazy, I just love Bonaire. We've been 5 times now and my husband wants to go someplace else next time. I don't! I want to go back to Bonaire! Hey, I lost my regulator & computer but I can get a new one. It's no big deal. I would love to have my old setup back because I really liked it and was comfortable with it. But I can get comfortable with something else. Flexibility! It's the name of the game.

I have had no complaints about most of the staff at Buddy Dive, especially the dive staff! I don't know how Alex, Murphyn, Sandra, Bart, Rob, Augusto, Corrina, and all the others do it, but they seem to take an interest in everybody that comes their way no matter who you are....and they cross paths with so many different people on a daily basis. Not only that, Murph & Alex remember me from previous trips. I first dove with them in August 2000 and then met up with them again in June 2001 (6 months pregnant-no diving). This last trip, going on 2 weeks ago, they still remembered me! That's pretty darn good if you ask me! Not only that, Murph said he knows exactly what my regulator setup looks like and that he would be keeping an eye out for it! Now that's service!

The restaurant staff has always been gracious & friendly too! Jasmin, who used to work at the Dock of the Bay restaurant and now works at the City Cafe, came up to me during the Buddy Dive Friday night party on June 27th (also Murph's 10th anniversary party) and gave me a big hug telling me she was happy to see me! It took me by surprise to say the least! The first question out of her mouth was, "Where's the baby?" The last time she saw me, I was pregnant. She also remembered me from the 2000 & 2001 trips! As a matter of fact, I showed her pictures of my son and she wanted to keep one! So I let her have two pictures! She said she would be glad to babysit if we bring our son next time.

With all of the above that I have just told you, how can you not help but feel like you're a part of the family?

Well, now I must comment on the front desk staff. Yes, there are some of the same people still there as in prior years and they are as nice and accomodating as usual. However, Buddy Dive has recently undergone an ownership change. They are now owned by the same people that own the Plaza Resort. There were some new faces at the front desk during this trip and they weren't as friendly. They weren't exactly rude, but they didn't exhibit the same friendly persona I've become accustomed to at Buddy Dive. I can give a little and suggest that maybe they are under pressure from the new owners, but to deny a guest the right to review a tape and not take a description of the missing equipment just doesn't seem like they really want to help the customer.

Oh well, that's my opinion. I guess we'll see what happens to Buddy Dive in the near future with the new owners. I do hope they keep it as nice as it has been in the past and treat their employees with respect.

Greta,

C. is as good a "name" as any other. And yes I am from New Orleans.

I have been visiting and diving Bonaire for more than 10 years and like others I have seen change, some good, some bad. My first Bonaire experience was with Capt Don's but I feel in love the old Sunset Beach Hotel and Dive Operation. When they closed I returned to dive with Capt Don's. To me, the one thing that has remained constant is the people of Bonaire. Their warthm and hospitality (and the relaxed diving) brings me back year and year. Like you, my one bad experience (theft of an cooler from the back of my truck)was not done by locals, rather by so-called "fellow divers".

Over the years I found many friends on the island, it is because of these fine people my fondest wish is to retire (maybe not full time) to Bonaire.

So many words... This has been one of the most articulate "theft" threads to date. Will nobody here stoop to petty insults and personal attacks anymore? Maybe we need Mimi back just to keep things exciting...

But all kidding aside...

There are no victims; people usually get the results that their own actions encourage. That said, people do get hurt and suffer loss at the hands of others. If you dress nice, it doesn't mean you are inviting a sexual assault, just like if you leave Ray-Bans in the rent car it does not mean you actually want to lose them to a passing juvenile delinquent. But assuming you are something other than naive or ignorant, you probably won't do these things in places where the outcome - effected by others based on conditions YOU create - could be other than what you want.

And no, I'm not saying that everyone who has suffered a theft on Bonaire is an idiot. Just those that knew the risk level and ignored it, and maybe some of the ones who could have easily discovered the risk and avoided it.

People like Ronald are among the smart; he asked about the risk level and how to minimize it...

Mary pretty much captured the whole solution: take a few simple measures so that your car is less likely to be viewed as an attractive target.

Leif,

I have to take issue with your statement "There are no victims; people usually get the results that their own actions encourage."

Several years ago I awoke in my bed at home to find a strange man in my bedroom. Did I invite him in by sleeping with my windows open? I don't think so. EVERYONE should expect to have some degree of privacy and safety and I should not be a prisoner in my own home just because another sick warped individual reads an open window (covered by a screen I might add) as an invitation to enter my home. There truly are people out there that victimize others without provocation or justification.

One extreme example - I have never known a child who asked to be molested. I realize this is far different than theft but to say there are no victims is to me a tad ridiculous.

Respectfully,

Belinda

"I realize this is far different than theft but to say there are no victims is to me a tad ridiculous."


And bringing the shadow of sexual assault, which has NEVER been reported or even alledged on Bonaire, into a mostly petty theft thread is not !?!?!?!?

If you carefully re-read Leif's post, the first mention of sexual assault is there : "If you dress nice, it doesn't mean you are inviting a sexual assault, just like if you leave Ray-Bans in the rent car it does not mean you actually want to lose them to a passing juvenile delinquent."

I was merely commenting on his statement that there are no victims - he did not specify that he was talking only about Bonaire.

Respectfully,

Belinda

I responded to the first mention also... My position remains, any reference or comparison to sexual misconduct is not appropriate. My fear (most likely unfounded) is the casual reader may deem a threat exists.

As to "talking only about Bonaire".. this is "Bonaire Talk: Everything Else Bonaire: Theft problems", nuff said.

Some points to clear up.

I do not believe anyone on this forum is purposely attempting to hurt anyone else with insensitive remarks. We are all trying to discuss the topic at hand. Unfortunately the written word can be misinterpreted rather easily.

I suggest that if we all were at Gibi's, we'd all be buying each other Amstels while waiting for the cobrita stoba to be served.

I believe good wisdom is being offered with reference to avoiding becoming a victim. I also believe we may still become victims even with following the advise. And it certainly would not be our own fault.

But...

Bonaire does have a dive site crime problem. How do I know? I've seen it in writing. No, not (somewhat understandably) in the newspapers which are influenced financially by tourist advertisements. But in the car rental agencies written contracts that demand we keep our vehicles unlocked. Why? For fear of damage. Where else have you seen this practice? And why? Of course spare tire theft and gas siphoning are two other issues.

Who is committing this " petty crime "? A few? Many? Let's study the options. If the petty theft is being committed by many youths, then the crime is unfortunately more of a concern than we are told. If the larceny is being committed by only a few, then I propose that this is not a case of petty crime, but of a more organized crime, complete with the fencing of stolen merchandise.

What can we do about it?

I feel all sides with an opinion can help. First, like many have suggested, stop feeding the thieves. If there's no food, they'll go somewhere else. Second, take a more proactive approach. Monitor the dive sites with stationary observers. As C. has stated, confrontation of any kind is certainly a rare occurrence on Bonaire. Not every site must be monitored every day to be effective, but the merry go round approach of STINANPA clearly has deficiencies.

Who should do the monitoring?

Hire the youth of Bonaire. Educate them about their Island. Teach them of their most valuable resources. Allow them to lead by example. Let them graduate from school as opposed to graduating to more serious crime.

And give them paintball guns.

Robert,

Your points are very well taken... except that for the very rare occurence major crime does not occur on Bonaire and when it does it involves Bonairian vs Bonairian.

Petty crime if you call the removal of personal belongings or vehicular equipment petty, is not rampant. When I first went to Bonaire my friends and I were firmly convinced there were only 3 spare tires and 2 convertible tops on the entire island and everybody just "borrowed" as the need arose. It has undoubtedly grown over the years, and the general consensul for this growth is the exposure of the island youth to the world via the medium of sat dish TV. The youth suddenly found out they had less and therefore want more. Hence the rise in thefts from those that had more, the diver.

Your solution for the youth, "Hire the youth of Bonaire. Educate them about their Island. Teach them of their most valuable resources. Allow them to lead by example. Let them graduate from school as opposed to graduating to more serious crime." is a truly wonderful plan except, it leaves out the most important part....where do they will get the money to fund such a program ?? Outside of tourism there is almost no income. The blame for this ??? I feel a majority of blame lies on the Dutch Government lack of support. However one way is to import golf resort and then remove the open beachs and put in huge resorts (Hey where did Lake, Punt Verikant and 18 Palms go ???), next comes Wal-Mart, there goes the price of water and gas, then the youth can sell devil weed from the alleys and we will have the crime rate of Aruba or Curacao. Paradise comes at a price, when they want to raise the price of the Marine Park Tag, go for it, when a resort requires a user fee, pay it willing. (Opps, soap box time).. nuff said.

So how does one create an enhancement program:
GOLD TAG $100
PLATINUM TAG $500

Renewal on both of these is optional!!

If the resorts understood the commitment of some clients to their resources and promoted this it would be interesting to see.

One could carry $10,000 worth of camera gear on a boat but not have a gold tag?????

It creates an "optional" solution without polarizing people or businesses. Rather like a frequent flyers program for those who care....

For those who renew... send them another gold tag!!! be interesting to see who wears what.

David, I be darned, you may just have something here.. As many people wanna brag that they have "dove Bonaire", why not have something besides a t-shirt and suntan that really sez and shows it..

If this thread has not driven the members of the Hotel and Resort Association nutz already, perhaps they can offer this as a possibility.

AND... how about being able to purchase "lesser" tags indicating the number of years you have been to Bonaire, "special" tags for High mucky-mucks type, etc. etc... There is a potential here turning a mundane $10.00 a tag to a very lucrative program.

Defending my position... and glad that we have a vigorous debate going...

1. My statement as to the axiom that there are no "victims" is a general proposition that I DID intend to relate directly to the Bonaire petty crime thread. My analogy (about sexy dress) was meant to show how far this generalization indeed could be taken. I note that Belinda said she left a window open - albeit screened - making it easier for her intruder to enter; perhaps even encouraging it. I believe this reinforces my general point: most people who are portrayed as "victims" have done at least something that made it more likely to happen to them as compared to the next person.

1.5 This even goes for children, at least down to the age at which they can be taught basic do's and don't's. If parents do their job and teach appropriate caution, their kids are much less likely to be naive and thus attractive targets for strangers or even supposed friends.

2. I'm a big believer in privacy and respect. But I have to be realistic in recognizing that there ARE people who have very different moral underpinnings. There are people who will invade privacy and property without a second thought. When I am in Bonaire I KNOW that I am MORE LIKELY to attract their attention by attempting to secure valuables behind a closed car window. So I prevent myself from becomming a "victim" by (a) not advertising that I might have something worth stealing in the car and (b) not actually leaving anything worth stealing in the car.

3. I trust that an anology like the one I used will not confuse the intelligent, sophisticated readers who have managed to stick with this thread so far. It's one of the wordiest threads yet on this topic, which is what first prompted me to join in (since I recognize that I talk too much already, it seemed natural to weigh in with the verbose gaggle already assembled here).

4. As for the ideas about how to fix this nagging problem... I don't think increasing fees or hiring youth are answers. There are enough officers around. I met some of them near Karpata the last time I was there. They were checking divers to make sure they had their chits proving that their fees were paid. I also saw the regular police driving around often enough. What I think is lacking is true "police work". A few inexpensive sting operations would do the trick. So far I only know of 1 arrest in the past several YEARS. If four or five arrests are made in a short time from planned stings (with rental agency cooperation, of course), I would bet that the rate of property theft from cars would plummet.

5. I still honestly think that it is likely that at least some of the tire and gas thefts could also be a sinister little racket that one or more of the rental agencies are actually involved in - there is some pretty good profit in selling new wheels and tires to rental car customers and then selling used tires and wheels to locals later. Again, a well-conceived sting or even a little undercover work would likely expose and correct such matters. Just a suspicion; of course I have no direct proof...

Leif,

Leaving my window open is NOT NOT NOT and I repeat NOT an invitation for some low-life creep to enter my bedroom in the middle of the night!!!!!

ANYONE that believes that way and thinks I am in the wrong for letting fresh air into my house is seriously SCREWED UP and that is the very mentality that these creeps that steal and break into peoples homes use to justify their actions. That is absurd "logic"!!!!

Your position is beyond defense Leif!!

Tell the relatives of the victims of the snipers from the Washington D.C. area that there are no victims! The child that was shot going to school should not have been getting out of his aunt's car and walking into the school at that time - is that your reasoning?

Face it Leif, there ARE victims! Admit you are wrong.

As for your point 1.5 - here's a novel idea - teach children how not to be criminals!!!

Ok- I have to comment again.

I think we are talking at cross purposes here-there are two separate issues.
1) Crime on Bonaire-ie "petty" theft, stealing from cars or hotels. Not violent crime, not physical abuse, not snipers, not murder etc...

2) The issue of the other crimes as mentioned above.

I think the comments about there being no victims was relating to the Bonaire crime-not violent crime elsewhere. There may have been other comments related to the issue made during the thread, but I doubt the intention of anyone was to suggest that sniper victims or molested children were "asking for it".

As for crime on Bonaire, I have learned a lot from the people who have bothered to post to the board which will hopefully prepare me for my trip. I plan to leave nothing in my car(the same as I do here at home) and padlock my spare tyre. One interesting thing I did not consider was the eyeglasses thing- so I will wear contacts or take them under. If I miss something and I become a "victim" of crime, then at least I will know that I have done all within my power to prevent it- anything beyond that is just the way it is.

I feel a lot of people make mistakes(and this is referring to theft-not intruders) and fail to do their home work. I have seen people here in Florida leave cameras and wallets visible in their cars-(I was raised with high car crime and NEVER leave anything in my car)if these same people then complained that there is a high crime rate, would that be valid?

I am not suggesting that people are stupid, just that they have different backgrounds- maybe they live in the country and can leave their windows open-so when they come in contact with crime- albeit petty theft- they over react.

I think the thing to remember is that taking precautions before travelling is wise, but even with all of this, there may be things that you overlook. Some crime is from lack of planing and foresight, but there will always be crime which is opportunistic and no-one can plan for that.

Use the Wally Rule

Windows Down...no valuables...beer in plain view

I really think (still) somebody got one of my beers.

Eva (still) says I drank it.....huh

Okay! I have an idea! Let's all go to Bonaire and have a good time. I'll leave beer on the front seat of the truck for Wally & Eva. Someone else will have to leave a regulator in plain view for me! I don't need eye glasses anymore, but someone else might be able to use a pair if left out in the open. A few towels, some cheap flip-flops & sunglasses will be someone else's responsibility. Anybody want to sign up for these items? If one of us needs a spare tire......Darn, that one's locked up! Wally, where's the beer that was on the front seat?

WAIT !!!!! Whose going to patrol the parking lots of the dive sites ?????

I think of all the things I could have stolen from a car at a dive site, my beer would probably disturb me the most- I intend to buy a lockable safe with solid steel housing and weld that to the truck in order to protect my most valuable beer. The I plan to hire some local lads, give them machine guns and get them to patrol my car- just in case.

;)

Jacqueline,

Thanks for the laugh :-) You made my morning!

Belinda

Dive site patrol: It's probably Wally as he seems to be the one taking all the beer.

I'm glad to see this thread finally has some humor and a lighter side!

Wally will
guard truck and gear
works for plane ticket
and some beer

Just for you Wally!

other thieves...the birds!!!

(peck at your fruit and poop on the inside of your truck to boot)

;)

Bonaire Poets Society