Just getting back from Bonaire........currently sitting the San Juan airport waiting for my connection. Sorry to report that crime on Bonaire is alive and well.

Someone broke into our bungalow at the Sorobon Beach Resort in the middle of the night last night (while we were asleep in the next room) and took the keys to our rental car and bungalow, along with my purse. My husband did hear a noise and went to investigate. The front door was wide open, but he thought it was the wind, not a burglar, that was responsible (no, we didn't lock the door, but WE WERE IN THE BUNGALOW, IN THE NEXT ROOM).

We didn't even know there was a problem until we went to load up the car and he suddenly couldn't find the car keys. When I went to the parking lot to see if we had accidentally left them in the rental vehicle, we discovered the car was gone too.

Not the best way to end a vacation - especially since we suddenly had to find alternative transportation at 6am to get us all the way across the island, and report the crime to the police and rental car agency while still making our 8am departure.

It could have been a lot worse.....I had my passport and drivers lisence tucked away in my cargo pants and we've already cancelled my credit cards. But it's creepy and scary that someone would break in while were there....

This makes me incredibly sad. What a bad way to end a trip. And I really loved Bonaire - especially the "wild" east side. But I can't recommend the island to my friends - I would feel horrible if anything bad happened to them during their stay.

Marta,
Sorry to hear about your losses.. The only thing I can say is do you leave your door's open at night in California?

Marta, Sorry to hear this happened to you. I am sure you were very upset at this happening, but not locking your door? I wouldn't go to sleep here in the states with my door unlocked with me in the next room, so... again, I am sorry this happened, glad you had a great time, but not to recommend a place due to lack of common sense? I see this is your first post here on BT, did you read any of the posts about crime or things to do to avoid things such as what happened to you before your trip? I am of course, glad you were not harmed and hope you will re-consider coming back to Bonaire again. Please don't take my post here the wrong way, I am no blaming you at all, but common sense in locking doors would have avoided this terrible incident I think. It is very easy when on island and enjoying paradise to let our guard down and forgo our usual precautions in regards to safety. Bonaire is no different than here in the states, except the crime rate is no where near what happens in the states. I know of no where that some type of crime doesen't happen. I hope by your post, that everyone will indeed realize the need and importance of locking your doors and thus can maybe prevent this from happening to someone else.
Thanks for taking the time to post this and hope you will not let this unfortunate event stop you from returning.

Marta, My condolences on your loss, and obviously very upsetting experience. Along with locking all the doors and windows in the place we stay, I also put all keys (I won't tell you where I put the apt key) and valuables in the safe while sleeping, including wallets, passports, etc. I do this while traveling anywhere on vacation.

Again, my condolences.

Marta, I'm glad that no one was hurt. Stuff can always be replaced--after all it is just stuff.
Now you know: where ever you go, take reasonable precautions and lock up.
Mare

ATTENTION
UNLOCKED DOOR
FREE STUFF

Welcome to Bonaire Talk Marta.. Since this is your first post may I suggest that you read our terms of service about posting crime reports.. you can find it HERE please send us a copy of the police report ASAP at moderators@bonairetalk.com

As I said, I gave a report to the police by phone, since we were running to catch a plane. I have no hard copy. If you want , email me privately, and I will give you the full name of the officer I spoke with.

Now- before you bash Marta into the ground- you all have to realize that the Sorobon is a gated compound with a security guard. It is also very quiet and strangers are easily recognized (because they have clothes on!!). We have also been lulled into the security that one feels there- although we do use the safe in the room. (And the last time we packed everything up we hauled it in the bedroom with us rather than just leaving it out as a 'take me!' package). Strangers have to almost swim in from the beach (which is probably why the thief didn't take more.)
Marta- which unit were you in? One of the ones on the end or in the middle?

Ron replied:

"Marta, Sorry to hear about your losses.. The only thing I can say is do you leave your door's open at night in California?"

Yes, I do. I have lived in Los Angeles for twenty years and have always left my doors unlocked while in my home - day or night. I have never had a burglary or attempted burglary.

If I do chose to return to Bonaire, I will certainly know better. But we did follow all of the common sense rules we do at home.......we locked the doors and windows of our bungalow when we weren't there (and that included when we were out wind surfing in the bay or just going to lunch in the dining room), and we never left valuables in the car or left the car unlocked.

So next time, if there is a next time, I will lock our doors when we're INSIDE the bungalow.....

But I have to ask folks, where does this stop? When will locking doors not be enough? From what I read about Bonaire before our trip, I was prepared for car theft, even break ins when not occupying our bungalow. What I wasn't prepared for was someone sneaking in when we were asleep. And now that I've started researching this issue more on the internet, I've found that break-ins at night are pretty. This sounds like an escalation to me.......

I fear that Bonaire is the proverbial frog in a kettle of slowly boiling water. Unless more proactive steps are taken in enforcement, education and prevention - you're suddenly going to find yourself living or vacationing in gated compounds with shards of broken glass topping 10ft. concrete walls. Don't laugh, it's why I don't go to Mexican beaches any more.

Oops. The end of the second to the last paragraph should have read, ".........I've found break-ins at night are pretty COMMON."

Sorry about that.

Tami wrote:

"Now- before you bash Marta into the ground- you all have to realize that the Sorobon is a gated compound with a security guard. It is also very quiet and strangers are easily recognized (because they have clothes on!!). We have also been lulled into the security that one feels there- although we do use the safe in the room. (And the last time we packed everything up we hauled it in the bedroom with us rather than just leaving it out as a 'take me!' package). Strangers have to almost swim in from the beach (which is probably why the thief didn't take more.) Marta- which unit were you in? One of the ones on the end or in the middle?"

We were in one of the end units closest to the beach. And you're right about the sense of security we felt. Because the resort is clothing optional, strangers would be extremely obvious.....;-)

What a drag. I doesn't really bother me when someone says they won't recommend Bonaire. I just got back and its getting a little crowded for my taste anyway. I've been on Bonaire 7 times without incident so my current position is that the crime situation may be a bit overblown on line. If I was a victim, I might see it differently but I don't so I guess all I can say is sorry it happened and I never sleep anywhere on the road with the door unlocked. There's no way I could be comfortable with that no matter where I was traveling. Currently planning my next trip - PBD is really bad this time around.

Marta , sorry to hear about your losses. Glad no one was hurt

Marta
So sorry to hear of your travails. While I would concur with the consensus that an open door is in some sense an accident waiting to happen, I would opine that I am concerned that the efforts to improve and provide security by some resort owners may be lacking. These home invasions while folks sleep are frightening, ie, what if your husband had confronted the offenders?? One ca not say with certainty that they would flee. All in all, I personally will return to Bon in 2007 , hoping that the new police chief and, more importantly, the local courts will have an impact on these types of crimes. Arrests , in and by themselves will not have a major impact. Just my thoughts.

Oh my Marta;

You have broken rule number 1 on this discussion group - you have said something negative about Bonaire. Now the angry Bonaire supporters will find anything to discredit your story. But for most there is a sense of sadness.

It appears that the night before you leave Bonaire is the most dangerious. Most pack for the early flight and make it easy to quickly break in and take valuables. Does anyone else wonder how our departure schedule is passed to the criminals?

Marta.. So sorry to hear about this..For some reason, issues like this when they rarely occur appear to be (at least in my opinion) more probable the last night of someone's stay. Which leads me to suspect/conclude that someone had inside knowledge that you were leaving the next morning.. I for one don't believe in coincidence.
I will say however I always lock the doors & windows at home & on Bonaire or anywhere for that matter bfore retiring for the evening.

I don't think that it takes any inside knowledge (although I wouldn't discount that happening.) What is easier is to realize that most people are going to pack the night before and NOT have all that luggage in the bedroom to fall over- you have to sleep so the suitcase can't stay open on the bed all night waiting for your toiletries- and of course you are going to gather everything together so you don't forget anything in the wee small hours. Anyone who knows the flight schedules and the favorite days can figure out the best days to go 'shopping'. All it would take is some scouting around and looking in a few windows to know. And we do a good job of getting everything together in a handy-dandy takeaway package! And if you know anything about carry-ons you would know to grab the small bags that probably have more valuables in them.
We watched someone scouting at the Sorobon- sitting in the water on the jibe city side. We thought that he might be looking for gorgeous nude people (boy was HE in for a surprise!)- but he (and it was a he- and he looked pretty young) sat in that water for a few hours. Finally someone turned him in and the security guard chased him away- but its that incident that makes me think that the thief came in from the ocean side and that is why he didn't carry too much out.

Locks don't keep honest people honest.
Locks make the criminals move to someone else, sometimes. Honest people are honest because it is the RIGHT thing.

This is akin to home invasion, a crime regardless.
I don't know how people can express anything other than disgust at the crime. Action needs to be against the criminals. Just like nature, the predators prey upon the easy. If there was no easy prey, those would still be predators. The predator would get more aggressive.

Bottom line: Get rid of the predators.

Did anyone see Bowling for Columbine? There was a segment about locked doors.
I think the message was culture and community.

I am very sorry. Sorry this happened to you on your vacation and even more sorry that people blame the victim when they should be blaming the criminal. No matter how careful a person is if someone is out to get you, they will get you. This is their job. They spend all their time planning how to rob you. If we have to spend all our VACATION watching, guarding, worrying...why go? Yes I love Bonaire, yes I plan to go back and back and back but I HATE this and I hate blaming the person who is relaxing, having a good time, a drink or two, lulled into a sense of security, having a great vacation. It makes us all feel better when we can see what someone else might have done something wrong that contributed to their being a victim cause then we think that wouldn't happen to us. We are smarter, more careful. We ALL have a moment that we could be a victim and thieves spend all their time watching for that moment. That is their job.
Bonaire is taking the tourist and their dollars for granted.

Constance,

You've hit the nail on the head. After all, the whole point of taking a vacation in the first place is to relax. Why should I spend my time and money in a place that won't let me do that? Taking precautions is one thing; having to be constantly on guard is another.

This whole thing breaks my heart. I'm not out to trash Bonaire or it's people. I really, really fell in love with the place while I was there and would have gone back in a heartbeat before the break-in. But now, I'm not so sure. I think I'd be too nervous. In a year or two will the situation be worse? Will the burglars start using weapons?

Marta,

I'm so sorry to hear that your wonderful vacation was scarred by this "space" invasion :-( You must have been horrified when you realized that a total stranger had been in the next room while you slept...not to mention that he/she stole your wallet, keys AND car!!! I hesitated to put in my two cents, as I too am a new BT'r, but I must say that I'm a bit shaken by your post. My husband and I are taking our first trip to Bonaire for 10 days in August, and your unfortunate experience makes me wonder if we made the right decision. My husband is also a windsurfer, but we decided to stay at Belmar. I originally would have liked to stay at one of the villas/bungalows for a bit more privacy, but I was concerned that those types of accommodations would invite more crime than staying at a hotel or an apartment complex that is not as secluded. Looks like I was right! (I know that Sorobon is a resort, but it appears to be rather remote.)

I can understand why the long-time Bonaire vactioners/owners would be upset, and would automatically jump to Bon's defense (sort of like a parent who must defend his child no matter what) but there is obviously a problem here that is not going away. Yes, you should have locked your doors... yada, yada, yada...but would that have stopped this person from raising a window, or breaking a lock to get in? There is a certain degree of crime in all vacation destinations in the Caribbean, and it's up to the resort/hotel/apartment/restaurant owners to provide a higher level of security to protect their guests.

I hope this experience doesn't stay with you for too long, or stop you from traveling. I wish you many happy vacations :-)

Sorry for your loss. It leaves a bad taste and bad memories.

Having been a travel agent selling the Caribbean since 87 I can say each island I sell has petty crime. I had 3 clients have break ins and all left their doors or windows open.

Travel Safe.

Ann

Is it a "break in" if the door or window is unlocked? An invasion maybe?

I'm sorry to hear of your sad encounter with the sadder side of Bonaire tourism, Marta.

In many US cities it is considered, by law, a constructive break-in by entering into a premise with intent to commit a crime therein. Does not have to be a physical breaking in.
Just curious-are there crimes such as these in the non tourist areas, residential, commercial, etc?

Well put Ann. It goes without saying that this is not Marta's fault - its the criminals fault. It is out of line, however, in my opinion, to label those of us who are simply trying the say that prevention is part of the equation now matter where you travel as "Angry Bonaire Supporters" and "Victim Bashers." It suggests that we have no sympathy for Marta. Nothing could be further from the truth in my judgement. I am a Bonaire Supporter who will always view the island as a "Divers Paradise."

Marta, SO Sorry about the loss, and the sense of invasion can only be worse.

I am a new poster, so please forgive if I am out of line, but:

... practical precaution arguments aside ... I think the bigger issue here might be that of the "feeling" of the vacation experience being ruined.

By that, I mean such a big part of taking a vacation (especially to such an amazing destination as Bonaire) is more about the living of a vacation dream than the logistics of simply going somewhere new (different). Yes petty crime is a problem all over the Carib (we've been around quite a bit), but wouldn't it be great if it was a little LESS of a problem on an island we all care so much about? (My fiancée and I love it so much we are getting married there next Thursday ... talk about wanting to live a dream)

So I applaud the recent change in Police Chief I have read so much about on BT ... and hope he continues the reforms regarding prosecution he seems to be making, but let's remember to take it easy on the victims of any crime, regardless of the circumstances! Because deep down, I know we all wish crime didn't exist on our adopted island home and I personally can't blame anyone for wanting to suspend "reality" even for a moment for the chance to live a dream.

Marta - Best wishes to you, and I hope you find the impact of the experience fades over time. Also, I sincerely hope you aren't dissuaded from Carib travel too much to have another go (even if you never give Bon another try). Best regards -Jason

Locked or unlocked doors, a break in is a break in. No one has the right to come in and steal your things. But that's a perfect world, and Marta, I'm sure hindsight is 20/20 with regards to locking the doors at night. Still, I'm very sorry this had to happen to you. It's really not fair, nor your "fault".
I do agree with Vicki that there are individuals on this site that feel they must always protect Bonaire. Personally, I love Bonaire, but I do think that other people's stories are good. They re-inforce the need to use precautions no matter where you go or where you live. I just do not feel that the moderators first comments should be "show me the report". Marta was not bashing anyone, just relaying her experience. Instead of hiding the problem, let people know so they are aware. We can't make Bonaire out to be the Perfect Paradise either. Nonesuch exists.

Lisa z if you go back and check why they ask for a police report you would understand why the moderators do this. So stay off the moderators back for doing this thankless job that they do. RANT OFF

I'm sorry that they had things stolen but hey lock your doors. Don't give somebody a chance to rip you off. You don't give them the opportunity to do this, and it normally won't happen. Sorry if i offend you thats not the case in point here.

Granted, the unlocked door probably was a contributing factor to this incident and was appropriately referenced in many replies. I would like to point out that there have been a number of incidences where the doors and windows were locked and crimes of this nature were perpetrated. The fact that predators of this sort troll the resort areas is disturbing. I would offer that not only should we the visitor be more vigilant, but I strongly believe that the particular resort has a large obligation to provide adequate deterrent security. Having a "security guard" may mean many things. The one thing that has irritated me in reading past postings has been the posters referring to the indifferent responses and reactions of some of the resort staff. I am not bashing Bonaire or the tourist industry, but am hopeful that the addressing of these issues is a multifaceted approach to what is seen as a threat to the industry as a whole. I do consider such break-ins while the people are sleeping more than just petty crime. Enough said, no doubt.

in an effort to make sure that everyone knows the posting policies about crime I am again going to post the following : PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY..

In an effort to clearly state the BonaireTalk policy on what can and cannot be posted as a BonaireTalk message, please see below:

You May Not Post:
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-Special Note In Regard to Posts on Crime Issues: Postings in regard to crime on Bonaire are taken seriously by the Moderators of Bonaire Talk. If you post about crime on Bonaire, be prepared to back up your information with a police report. The moderators will remove posts that are vague, involving 'hearsay', and that cannot be backed up with facts in regard to the crime.




You May Post:
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That said, we will not edit, remove, or otherwise change posts made by people who later decide, for whatever reason that they did not want to post what they ended up writing. So, think twice before confirming that you want your message preview content posted. BonaireTalk messages are publicly archived indefinitely, so please make sure that you don't post something you may regret tomorrow or years from now.

Not sure that I like the term "back up" as used in the crime reports. In its context it can be construed as doubting the poster and hence the appearance of being oversensitive to the reputation of Bonaire. Just my opinion. Moderators do a great job and are afforded little recognition for the hours and effort they volunteer.

In my opinion it is due diligence by the moderators to require documented evidence of crime event on Bonaire that has been posted on Bonaire Talk. Trolls post stuff on line all the time that could possibly do unfair harm to a person, business etc.

Patrick,
I am not bashing the moderators. I know they do a great job. Relax. I just think it's good to know what happens to people so that we can learn from it. Whether good or bad.

Marta, I for one am not about to bash your reporting your break-in at Sorobon. Many may not want to hear about these types of crimes on Bonaire but I personally think this is information that should be shared.
As a visitor to Sorobon (next trip this October) it does concern me to hear about this problem since I know there is a night security guard on premise. Knowing there was a guard during the night always gave me a degree of comfort that this sort of thing wouldn't happen at Sorobon. It does seem strange that this would happen the night before you were to leave. I find that rather disconcerting. It makes you wonder if they knew you were leaving.
Just curious....what unit did you stay in?

By the way, where could you hide a stolen car on such a small island and when they catch you, don't they prosecute you? And throw you in jail, cut off your fingers and toes or some other punishment fits the crime....where ya gonna run to where ya gonna hide, underwater....? Why can't they deport someone who is convicted of a crime like this? I don't understand why there isn't enough police presence on such a small strip of land to discourage this type activity?

Diana,

I was staying in one of the units closest to the beach.

Dear Moderators:

Just curious:

Did you get enough proof of the evidence to let this threat exist, or why is still no positive reaction of your side?

Harrie

P.S. I'm not disappeared, or stolen, or something, just busy.

H

Yes Harrie we did.. and please the word is thread not threat....

Freddie,

Sorry, for the threat, I'm better in Dutch.

And please, my name is Harrie, not Harry.

Good you got the proof, it seems to work out.

Good work!

Harrie

fixed it Harrie , that is one good thing about being a moderator! sorry for the misspelling..

The fact that a dwelling was entered after dark is enough for major prosecution in many states.
Locked, or unlocked, it is a serious felony to enter by stealth an occupied dwelling.

As a personal comment, most locks on doors and windows in many homes are totally insufficient to stop even a moderately talented burglar.

For that reason, I think people are either unrealistic or naive for blasting the above poster for not locking the door. Unless the doors are equipped with sophisticated deadbolts, they would not be much of a barrier either way, locked or unlocked.

As for the windows, those are often more easily opened than doors.

Anybody ever watch a locksmith open a locked car?
Takes less time than you like to think about.

I must admit that the robber was audacious!