I´ve been for two times in Bonaire and planning to go next year again cause I love Bonaire, but I'm very concerned about the news of "wave crimes". I would like no know what kind of crimes? Thieves, murders...?

It has been mostly petty thievery from cars. The "assualt" thread was more about being intimidated by some people on their patio. I have gone to Bonaire multiple times and have no fear of walking around town at night by myself. Most visitors know to leave only items that are not of value in their cars while shore diving/snorkeling. I never wear expensive jewelery or clothes while traveling and so far never been bothered, even in Africa.

My experiences are similar. There is no detention or lock up for the few 'bad' children. I saw a pack of about fifteen kids casing the Harbour Village Marina, ages from six to fifteen, maybe. The next day, the Marina's dinghy was gone. Their laws state children can be detained for only six hours.

There is very little violence on Bonaire. I go home early, sunset, most places I am, being a roving sailor, but in Bonaire I feel quite safe.

Anything you leave in a car/truck on a remote beach might disappear, even ratty old shoes. Take everything diving with you! I guess that's why you sometimes see folks walking around town in wetsuits, haha!

I usually wear "Hawaiian" shirts and shorts. One day, I wore a SCUBA DIVE tee shirt, and people seemed less friendly. Hmmm.

Cheers,

Melissa

Thank you Linnea and Melissa.

before downplaying the issue too much, you may wish to read http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/173609.html?1090626530

Thanks Denise,

It seems that if no governance action is put in place, our Divers Paradise will turn over in a bad place to visit.

Hello
I like to Known if somebody help us about the
subject below.
My wife and I intend to go to Bonaire in october or november .
But we read in Bonaire talk the text below:
A person (sorry I don`t remember the name) wrote:
"During our stay, two men, armed with knives,
attempted to break into the cottage we rented from
Bonaire Hospitality Group while we sleeping and were
fully visible through large sliding glass doors to thein truders. We were fortunate to escape without injury and with only minor property losses. During the course
of the investigation we learned from the police and
from neighbors living in the community that this sort
of incident is quite common ."
we became scared .we are afraid of going to Bonaire.
We thought of changing our vacation place .
But before to change it, we decided to write to you
to obtain real information about the crime in Bonaire Now. This kind of crime continue ??
Could you help us ? Or Do you Known Who could help us?
sincerely
LUIZ

Luiz:

Use the Keyword Search link at the bottom of this page and search on "crime" for many recent strings on the topic.

Luiz,

Just like anywhere, you need to lock your door at night, and be a little careful.

Any "Paradise" isn't a Heaven.

If you stay at one of the resorts, instead of in a house somewhere, you would be a lot more sheltered from the few bad guys. I say, FEW. There seem to always be one or two that ruin it for all of us.

Enjoy yourself.

Cheers,

Melissa

My friend who resides behind me was robbed between the hours of 9 AM and 12 noon. His laptop, cameras etc..were stolen. My friend is an Antillean windsurf instructor residing in a little attached apartment in a very populated neighborhood. What a bummer for him...sigh..

Sorry to hear about this, Annie....there seems to be too many folks getting hit lately. I hope it ceases, soon. Carole

The ultimate market for the stolen goods cannot be on Bonaire. Can anyone describe measures being taken to intercept stolen goods being taken off island??

Hi Gang, I am just reading the Bonaire Reporter for the week and again there are so many people that should do alittle time in the hooscow and they are not..WHY??.. because the jail in Rincon is not ready.. How about those criminals reporting to work every day at the jail and getting it ready so that the next time they get hauled in they will have a place to think about what they did??? a whole lot of community service might help keep these "Kids" out of trouble... JMHO and I realize that Bonaire does things differently, but that doesn't mean I can't express my opinion...... Rant off...

WE also had a problem after 16 times on the island. My sister's bungalow was broken into while she slept. The food and drinks were eaten there and then the TV was stolen. The owner of the bungalow did everything in his power to allow us to enjoy the vacation but my sister was still scared and I do not blame her. WE were also ransacked at Jeff Davis but had hidden everything where no man would ever find it so we were OK and nothing was taken-just tossed around. The C choice of the referendum must win and then perhaps Bonaire will be Bonaire and we will be talking about all the real Bonairians on the island-those wonderful people and not this out of control nasty group who are not real Bonairians. It is a beautiful island and if one is a bit scarey about these breakins perhaps a resort would be the answer. But do come-my God it is next to Heaven. Martyandbill

Could you please tell when that happend ??? I have not heard anything in the last weeks.
By the way ... on which ground you think the C must win in the referendum tomorrow ???

I believe that the C must win so that the island can do what Aruba did and separate from Curaco in order to deal directly with Holland and make their own laws and demand that the people coming over from Curaco go through customs as we all do and thus be checked for drugs and stuff as does everyone else and then Bonaire could get money directly from Holland and not have to wait for it to go through Curaco as it has been waiting for the money to rebuild the jail.

A lot of Brazilians on this thread I don't want to make it sound like crime is not a problem but I really think it's being exaggerated here. There is crime everywhere, and if you are from Brazil there's nothing to worry about since Bonaire is much safer.
I've been reading these discussions about crime on Bonaire and in some reports you hear people say that their stuff was stolen from unlocked cars that got broken into. Excuse me!!!! You don't break into an unlock car, you simply open the door ;) It also seems like most of the complaints are from americans, of course, spoiled by their own system. This is not the USA! This is real life, wherever there are people that can't afford a comfortable life, they turn to crime. You see it even in the US where people CAN afford a comfortable life. So stop scaring the tourists away. Bonaire is a beautiful place to visit. As long as you don't touch the coral reefs (which I saw a lot of experienced divers doing) you should go and enjoy it. How about we talk more about how easy it is to kill the coral instead?
Laura

This is in response to Laura and also to others. I hope you do not think in any way that we are implying Bonaire isn't a great place to be. I believe you hear alot from Americans in the US as I think this site is used by many Americans. We did have trouble this last time and I am not saying there is not a ton of crime in the US--there is and it has gone from minor in 60 years to major which I think is what we are all trying to not see happen in Bonaire. We have actually had Bonairians ask us to help fight this wave of crime by raising notice of it to other people and the government rather than disregard it as they want their island to be the way it once was. The image of people in the USA of being abel to afford a comfortable life is not at all true as we have many many areas of poverty and many charities to which we try to contribute to help our fellow citizens. WE do know what crime is and we are trying to help the Bonairians nip it in the bud. That is what we were asked to do. We as a couple are not trying to scare the tourists away as seen in my above note that we think Bonaire is like a Heaven but we must help our Bonairian friends who live there all year and do as they ask which is to build awareness. Despite our difficulties on our 16th trip we are planning to go back there again very soon and also planning or at least hoping to live on our beloved island someday--so I agree that all should come and help the economy and definitely keep the reefs pristine -it was written in a magazine that Bonaire is one of the 4 places in the world that Nature rules and let it stay that way. Experienced divers should not hit the reefs unless an unusual circumstance happens and the trash we have been finding and picking up on the bottom need not be there if people do not let paper blow into the water, etc. Awareness of that should also be brought up. So tourists need to come to help the economy and everyone must play their part in helping Bonaire in any way possible. We love the people and the island. Martyandbill

As an American myself, I have travelled to Bonaire on numerous occasions. I personally haven't experienced any crime but I do know many that have. I don't think the complaints you referred to by most Americans have a thing to do with your quote "spoiled by their own system". Many of the locals have been victims to the same crimes as tourists. They too have had concerns as well as other nationalities besides Americans. This is reality. So I don't understand how you're making this an "American" thing. We have crime all over the United States and we don't pretend that we don't. We too face reality on a daily basis.
Have a great day.

Terms like "breaking into our unlocked car" and "the most horrendous crime" are exaggerated and are scaring people away. Horrendous crime in my opinion is touching the coral reefs. And I am pretty sure every rental car has a sticker warning tourists not to leave personal belongings in the car.
I mention americans because I haven't seen any europeans or other nationalities whining on this board about crimes, and there are plenty of them vacationing on Bonaire. I did not intend to offend anyone but that was the only co-relation I saw in the crime posts. Blowing things out of proportion is not the solution here. I just think the less informed should be aware that it is not as bad as some people make it sound.

I would not avoid Bonaire nor would I advise others to avoid Bonaire due to crime. To all you American whiners out there who have related your home invasion expiriences on this board - thanks for the warning and see you on Bonaire!! Marcus L. Barnes - Spoiled American.

Laura,

Are you a Bonairean? Or are you european? How would you like it if we Americans on this board started making all-encompassing insulting and denigrating comments about, say, how bad european divers are? I've seen some bad european divers - knocking seahorses off coral with their cameras, overweighted, or just plain boorish and rude. I don't then say, "All european divers are boors! They should go home, and stay away from Bonaire!" because I've seen bad divers from a lot of countries.

Please keep your prejudices to yourself.

And for your information, although english-speakers are a majority on this board, we are not ALL American.

Having an HONEST representation of the good, the bad and the ugly is a good thing. You would censor all mention of people being robbed on Bonaire, and hide your head in the sand, denying the existence of crime. I think that's more than foolish.

A couple of comments about your generalities:
1. Not all rental cars have notices in them saying "lock up your car".
2. Some rental agencies and locals reccommend NOT locking up, and not leaving valuables in the vehicle. Break-ins are so common that this has become the unofficial rule.

I don't know where you live, but if you live in an area where car breakins are the rule rather than the exception, I'd move.

When you've experienced crime first-hand, you look at the "triviality" of it with different eyes. I bet you'd change your tune if it happens to you.

I've talked to Bonaireans who have also fear the rising crime on Bonaire. Are they all transplanted Americans, according to your rules?

You know, I've read most of these posts and I don't remember ONE "breaking into our unlocked car" post. Please point out this post for us.

This is an english-speaking website. Of course you're going to see english posts about crime. And Bonaire is relatively convenient for Americans - of course there are a lot of Americans posting here.

I am coming to Bonaire in about a month, for my 7th visit in 4 years. I love Bonaire. Some of the people who've experienced crime on Bonaire still love it, as is evidenced above.

Trying to trivialize real peoples real experiences is insulting. Your generalitie are insulting. Until you go find a european board about Bonaire, and on it find that no one posts about having experienced crime on Bonaire, your "co-relation" is just plain wrong.

Breaking into unlocked cars: http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/36/177978.html?1093357701

Laura,

You state:

"This is real life, wherever there are people that can't afford a comfortable life, they turn to crime."

And I say:

It is STILL wrong no matter where it happens - in the US or Bonaire. I refuse to accept crime as acceptable on Bonaire just because there are people there who think I have a better life than them. And as has been pointed out before, it is not just us "spoiled" Americans that are being targeted, local residents are victims just as often. Crime IS a problem that needs to be addressed. Will it keep me from coming back to Bonaire? Not for now but that could change if things don't change for the better very soon.

Belinda

Sane folks are finally starting to speak the truth !!!!

Crime is more apparent that when I first came to Bonaire more than 11 years ago. However, with the exception of a cooler filled with ice and refreshments stolen by divers, I have never been visited by crime.

I return to Bonaire because of Bonaire inhabitants (local and imports), easy diving and the generally relaxed way everybody has.

I never lock my truck, I lock do up the house, I never leave ANYTHING in the truck or on the porch and I leave outside lights on. I avoid dark alleys (but I also avoid dark staircases).

Laura,

Oh - there you go, you got me on that one! How proud you must be!

In no civilized society I am aware of does an unlocked car equate to tacit permission for theft. Just because the car is unlocked does not make it fair game, anywhere.

So, to further your analogy, it's a womans fault
if she's raped, because she was wearing something the rapist deemed too alluring?

You also seem to be ignoring completely the mention in the same report of the crow-bar wielding thief. I suppose that was their fault too?

Whether that vehicle is locked or unlocked the definition of theft doesn't change......

THEFT: The felonious taking and removing of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it b : an unlawful taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property.

Laura,

************************
You don't break into an unlock car, you simply open the door
************************
Why would anyone "simply" open a car door when it's not rented or owned by them? Why would a person walk into a house/apt because the door is open/unlocked? I guess shoplifting IS NOT a crime because the owner did not have his storefront locked when someone walked out with unpaid merchandise. I consider all these actions a violation of social rules/order. I guess I am not living a real life.
**********************
complaints are from americans, of course, spoiled by their own system.
**********************
I have been to Bonaire on the average of every 3 months for the past 3 years. On my 3rd visit to Bonaire I was a victim of crime...the first time in my whole spoiled life. I get the feeling from your comments that I do not work hard for my money.
*************************
wherever there are people that can't afford a comfortable life, they turn to crime.
*************************
I grew up with 16 siblings (I am #15 out of 17) I know poor uncomfortable life, right from wrong, and the respect of other peoples property. I did not nor any of my other siblings turn to a life of crime.
************************
I am pretty sure every rental car has a sticker warning tourists not to leave personal belongings in the car.
************************
Nope, not true for me or even close. NOT 1 truck/car that I have ever rented had such a sticker. The rental company just advised me to leave the car windows down and the doors unlocked.

I do not tell people to stay away from Bonaire. I DO tell them to watch out for CRIME. It is not whining it is the TRUTH.
Yana

God bless those free speaking Americans!

You all really do need a life...

C. Kritagent,

At least everyone else (excluding you) has taken their time to comment in this forum on issues relating to the current discussion - telling everyone else to "get a life" neither contributes to the discussion or follows the golden rule of "if you can't say something nice about someone say nothing at all". So was this comment really necessary?

And maybe YOU should stop spending so much time reading this forum and get a life yourself.

Belinda

Marty McMahon, what you explain sounds more like B than C ... C is status aparte like Aruba with 13.000 people ???? A small village handling their own defense, custom, immigration, police etc ???? There will be nobody left to work in the hotels .... or we have to let more people in from DomRep, Venezuela etc .... and who is going to pay for it ... Aruba has 80.000 people and needs Holland for financing ...
Talking to Bonaireans and others ... I hope B will win ....

I could have the BandC mixed up as it is no longer in front of me. I know a few of my Bonairian friends said they needed independence from Curaco as they thought that the drugs had direct routes through there and as it would be good to stop this. But truthfully if that sounds like B then maybe my friends were wrong. I need to read the reporter. But according to my friends HOlland would finance them just as it does Aruba but they would be more in control of their own destiny. Whichever choice that is sounds as if that is the one my friends want. Will look up the reporter. Thanks for correcting my mistake if I mixed my letters up.

Nope it is C my friends want-they want to be autonomous and be like aruba. Could be the Bonairians are disagreeing with each other as we do in the States

Not that devided ... first results show +/- 14% for A, 59% for B, 24% for C and 0.5% for D ....
looks like quite a number of voting US and NL people chose C and the Bonairean B and Curacao A....

I was leaning towards C, but ended up being a B at the polls today. I figured if Bonaire could get status in the EU much like Gibralter's (see this week's Bonaire Reporter), that would be an excellent solution to the problems I saw with the B option previously.

I am very heartened, Brigitte, to see that those wanting to remain in bed with Curacao are a small minority.

Brigitte, once you have a link to the referendum results can you post in a new thread here in Local Items?

Thanks and Good night all!

Jake