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Crime Statistics and Actions
As we've reported in the Bonaire E-News in recent months, crime reduction and prevention is an on-going concern on Bonaire. At
the beginning of January, a group of concerned residents who happen to represent much of the dive industry on Bonaire sponsored a small town meeting with Bonaire's Chief of Police, Gerold Daantje. At this meeting a
number of concerns about criminal activity and police inaction were raised. Chief Daantje disclosed that he had prepared a plan to reorganize the way Bonaire police operate into something known as "Community
Policing" to take the needs of residents and tourists into account and was working with the Netherlands Antillean Minister of Justice, Dr. Rutsel Martha, to institute this plan, since the reorganization
required assistance and approval from the Minister and the Central Government. These issues were later revisited in the monthly meeting of the BONHATA Crime Committee.
Earlier this week, Minister Rutsel came to Bonaire to review the activities of the Bonaire police as well as a number of affiliated organizations which handle activities ranging from drug rehabilitation to community
outreach and crime prevention.
At a press conference here during his trip, the Minister announced that he was going ahead with the reorganization of the Netherlands Antillean police force to community policing. In terms of what that means to
Bonaire, it includes setting up additional police substations in key areas on Bonaire where crime is currently high or where an increased local police presence is desired. Among those local areas are Antriol, Playa,
and Rincon. Also part of the plan is to get police out of the office and back on the streets, and one way this will be accomplished is to have "beat cops" - police officers assigned to a certain barrio
which will then become their home turf. This will help bring residents and the police closer together as there will be a set of identifiable faves associated with a particular neighborhood, and it will also provide
for greater accountability.
The Minister closed with saying how impressed he was with the way the local citizenry and business community were cooperating and working with the police to try and come up with policing solutions that would help
reduce crime on Bonaire, and in particular singled out the efforts of Komakia - a local non-profit organization funded by the government to help with community/police communication and education. The Minister also
added that he believes crime is under control on Bonaire, but that we all need to be concerned about tourist-oriented crime, and he felt the new changes would address that concern.
Chief Daantje then took over, and officially unveiled the crime statistics for 1998. Of note was that the overall number of reported crimes dropped in 1998 by 21% over the previous year to 963 incidents. There were
also 110 arrests made in 1998 for non-drug related crimes, and 55 arrests for drug related crime. It was a banner year for drug seizures, including over 46 kilos of marijuana, and about 9.5 kilos of cocaine. Among
the non-drug-related arrests, almost half were theft related (54 arrests), with petty theft ranked highest among those (36 arrests). Other crimes ranging from bigamy (1 arrest) to possession of firearms (3 arrests)
peppered the offense list.
The statistics also offered these valuable insights: The most common scene for a crime incident was a private dwelling (non-tourist) with 239 reports, followed by automobiles (156 reports),
hotels/restaurants/apartments (99 reports), yard of a private dwelling (45 reports), and stores (32 reports). The rest were a hodgepodge of government buildings (1 report), office (26 reports), schools (7 reports),
airplane (4 reports), and church (1 report), among others. Areas most prone to crime incidents were Playa (230 reports), Antriol (99 reports), Nikiboko (63 reports), Tourist Road (55 reports), and Hato (this is
where most of the resorts are - 52 reports). Other areas hit were Belnem (28 reports) and Rincon (37 reports). Most of the rest of the island had at least a few reports of crime (out of the 900+ reports in 1998),
but on a much smaller scale than the seven communities listed above. Amusingly, crime incidents on Klein Bonaire were down from 1 report in 1997 to zero in 1998.
So, where does that leave us? Crime reports are down, but there have been some comments that reports may not be an accurate reflection of the magnitude of the crime problem. That may well be, but we'll also point out
that apathy exists everywhere and apathy related to reporting crimes didn't start in 1998. A 21% drop in reported crimes also therefore implies that crime overall on Bonaire is dropping too. However, we can't rest
idle. Minister Martha, as part of his efforts to help reorganize police structure and procedures on Bonaire still has to get approval from the parliament of the Central Government.
The January crime town meeting ended with the feeling that participants wanted to help Chief Daantje and Bonaire, and it was decided that perhaps the best way to do so would be via a petition. Such a petition would
help raise local awareness that a reorganization of police structure and procedures can really make a difference, and that individuals on Bonaire can contribute to that change by signing the petition and showing
their support for a reduction in crime.
Well, now is the time for that petition - we need to show support for Minister Martha's and Chief Daantje's efforts to switch Bonaire over to community policing to help further reduce crime on Bonaire - with such
community support Minister Martha will have an easier time of helping move this reorganization through the Central Government's parliament.
The petition will be a key topic of discussion at another crime town meeting, scheduled for 7pm on Friday, February 5th, at Harbour Village in Sala Bonaire, and it is expected that the petition will be finalized
early next week, in multiple languages (Papiamentu, Dutch, and English), and circulated shortly thereafter. There will also be an Internet version of the petition (via a Web site to be disclosed next week) for the
many people outside Bonaire who love Bonaire and want to see a further reduction in petty theft and other crimes on our beautiful island.
Doing the Wave
It was exactly a year ago this week when a series of major swells and waves caused significant damage to many piers and oceanfront restaurants
on Bonaire's normally tranquil west side. And Wednesday, February 3, 1999, at 5:00am, the freak waves returned - and stayed most of the day. However, the waves this time around weren't quite as strong, and thanks to
the rebuilding of most of the piers and walls damaged by last year's waves, they withstood the onslaught that did occur. That's not to say that there weren't some casualties - The Green Parrot (at Sand Dollar) had
to close table dining for the day (take out was available) because their customers and furnishings were getting rather wet, but things are back to normal now, with 11 tables available for seating the day after the
waves. Several dive operations had very minor damage, but the Oceanfront Restaurant probably bore the worst of it, as a wall designed to prevent water from spraying into the restaurant crumbled, and water inundated
the kitchen and dining area. As of Thursday the 4th of February, the restaurant is still closed.
Hopefully these sudden rogue wave systems won't become an annual tradition, but residences and business should take note that nature happens, frequently in unexpected ways.
Airplanes to Bonaire
In our ever continuing saga of how to get to Bonaire by airplane, it appears confirmed now that Dutch visitors to Bonaire will
still be able to get direct flights from Amsterdam. Prevously, KLM had indicated they were pulling out of Bonaire entirely at the end of March, and that Martin Air flights would replace the KLM flights. As it turns
out, this has now changed again somewhat. Starting Tuesday, April 6th, Martin Air will fly its plane to Bonaire from Amsterdam, via Curacao. This will be a charter flight, so all seats will only be bookable via tour
operators in Holland (and possibly in other European countries), and, contrary to previous reports, Martin Air will only be flying to Bonaire once a week, on Tuesdays. However, it turns out that KLM has renewed an
agreement to continue flying to Bonaire on Thursdays, as it presently does, and such flights will continue uninterrupted. At this point, however, travel agents still can't see the KLM flight in their systems after
March 27th, but we've been told that this will be resolved shortly.
All in all, it looks like Bonaire is going back up to two flights a week from Amsterdam, which is a good things. Combine that with the existing weekly Sobelair charter for the Plaza Resort, and the rumored second
weekly flight of Sobelair to be starting this spring, and things are looking up, at least for Northern European tourists wishing to visit Bonaire.
For U.S. travelers please be advised that we just got in a message from ALM which promotes a new special $299 fare they are offering for Thursday flights from Atlanta to any of the ABCs (including Bonaire). The fare
is good for a 7 night stay (Thursday to Thursday). Taxes are an addition $45. If you go to your travel agent to take advantage of this rate (which runs until November 25, 1999), tell them that the fare basis code is
SE7NR.
Carnival Calendar
Just a reminder that Carnival is here. This weekend features the children's parades in Rincon and Kralendijk. The schedule is as
follows:
- 5 February - Election of Carnival Queen & Children's Jump-Up
- 6 February - Children's Parade - Rincon
- 7 February - Children's Parade - Kralendijk
- 13 February - Grand Carnival Parade - Rincon
- 14 February - Grand Carnival Parade - Kralendijk
- 16 February - Farewell Parade (Kralendijk)
Bonaire E-News On-Line
Those of you looking on the Internet for the latest issues of the Bonaire E-News may have been puzzled why we haven't posted the
latest editions on the Web since mid-January. Well, the puzzle is solved! Starting this week, the Bonaire E-News has a new home! (This is also one of the reasons this issue of the E-News is a day late - sorry about
that!)
Simultaneously with the mailing of this issue of the Bonaire E-News, you can find the current and all past editions of the Bonaire E-News at (obviously):
http://www.BonaireENews.com
This also means a few addresses have changed:
Getting added to the E-News mailing list: mailto:add@BonaireENews.com
Getting removed from the mailing list: mailto:remove@BonaireENews.com
Sending in news items and press releases: mailto:news@BonaireENews.com
Sending letters to the editors: mailto:editors@BonaireENews.com
Sending classifieds to the E-News: mailto:classifieds@BonaireENews.com
Anything else: mailto:anythingelseyouwanttowriteabout@BonaireENews.com
Best of all, the Bonaire E-News is still free, and now more accessible than ever! And, of course, all the other information you need about Bonaire can still be found at InfoBonaire ( http://www.InfoBonaire.com )
Bonaire Twin Cinema News & Features - February 4 - 10, 1999
Bonaire Twin Cinema is located in the heart of Kralendijk next to the Exito Bakery and
behind the Cultimara Supermarket. Starting Thursday, February 4, Bonaire Twin Cinema will be offering the following film features (NaFl. 10.- for all normal features):
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What Dreams May Come
- Matinees Sat. & Sun. at 4:00pm
- Nightly at 8:30pm
- Late Shows Fri. & Sat. at 10:45pm
Robin Williams (Chris) and Cuba Gooding Jr. star in this tale of what might await one in the afterlife as Chris searches for his wife in heaven and hell. (Rated PG-13, Drama, 106 minutes). For details see http://dir.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Movies_and_Film/Titles/Drama/What_Drea ms_May_Come/
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Ronin
- Matinees Sat. & Sun. at 4:15pm
- Nightly at 8:45pm
- Late Shows Fri. & Sat. at 11:15pm
Robert DeNiro leads an international team of covert operatives in the attempted theft of a mysterious briefcase. It soon become clear that other groups are after the same thing, and that double crosses, betrayals,
and money dominate the roles everyone plays. (Rated R, Action Thriller, CinemaScope, 121 min.) For more details, see: http://movies.yahoo.com/movies/guide/ronin.html
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Babe: Pig In The City - Last Week
- Matinee Sat. & Sun. at 2:00pm
- Nightly at 6:30pm
Babe, everyone's favorite talking pig, returns to the big screen in this sequel where Farmer Hoggett is injured, and Babe needs to travel to the big city to find help. (Rated PG, Comedy, 97 minutes) For more details,
see: http://dir.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Movies_and_Film/Titles/Children/Babe__Pig _in_the_City/
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Prince of Egypt - Last Week
- Matinees Sat. & Sun. at 2:15pm
- Nightly at 6:45pm
This animated feature length movie brings the life of Moses to the big screen. (Rated PG, Animation, 93 minutes) For details see: http://headlines.yahoo.com/Full_Coverage/Movies/The_Prince_of_Egypt/
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The Bonaire Twin Cinema also offers a Dinner and a Movie special in conjunction with and DeTuin Eetcafe. Nafl. 35.- gets you dinner, beer or soda, popcorn, and a ticket to a movie.
The Bonaire Twin Cinema Box Office opens nightly at 6:00pm, and no reservations are required. Tickets are only available at the box office. Questions about the movies? Call Bonaire Twin Cinema at 2400 (Noon to
closing everyday), FAX: 8010, or send an e-mail to mailto:TwinCinema@InfoBonaire.com (please include your phone or FAX number).
Web Site of the Week
Each week, we'll list the addresses of new Bonaire Web sites that we come across.
Our Web site (or in this case, a "sub-site") of the week is:
The Sea Turtle Club of Bonaire:
http://www.bonairenet.com/turtle/turtle.htm
If you have a new Bonaire-related Web site and want to make sure people know about it, send a message to mailto:news@infobonaire.com with the details.
Quick Takes
- Underwater Clean-up. It's that time of month again - Underwater Clean-up Time! And boy is it necessary. Witnesses at oceanfront
restaurants report that careless and thoughtless Jump-Up participants threw hundreds of beer cans into the ocean last Friday night. We'd like to remind all of those living on Bonaire and visiting Bonaire that the
ocean is NOT a giant trash can. Please dispose of your trash in the designated Selibon containers found everywhere around the island. As an example of what trash can be found along Playa, this coming Sunday,
February 7th (please note the date change!) the UW Clean-Up volunteers will tackle the area around the Club Nautico marina. All volunteers are asked to RSVP to either Eric Groenhart (phone 2929 or mailto:dive@greensubmarine.com ) or Jake Richter (phone 6773 or mailto:jake@nettechnv.com ), and then meet at Green Submarine, Kaya Playa Lechi 24 at 10am on Sunday. Free tanks will be provided for divers, and it is expected that extra help from non-divers will be needed to haul out and catalog the trash collected this coming Sunday. All boaters reading this are also advised to please navigate the waters around the Club Nautico pier with care as there will be divers in the water. Following the clean-up dive, all participants are invited to stay for a potluck BBQ at Green Submarine. The monthly Underwater Clean-Up is co-sponsored by Green Submarine, NetTech N.V., and Selibon.
- AGRA. Bonaire this week is playing host to leading reef scientists from around North America and the Caribbean as part of a week-long intense workshop dealing with a new research tool and technique known as
AGRA. AGRA stands for Atlantic and Gulf Reef Assessment, and it gives marine resource managers a standardized, easy-to-use set of tools for measuring the condition and health of the reef. During the workshop,
participants will help build a large database which reflects the current condition of Bonaire's reefs. After the work shop, the reefs will continue to be monitored by the Bonaire Marine Park's local volunteers, who
will be trained to use AGRA during a special one-day workshop this weekend. The workshops are being led by Dr. Phil Kramer and Dr. Tricia Kramer of the prestigious Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
at the University of Miami. The AGRA workshop has been sponsored by the Bonaire Marine Park, and supported by Capt. Don's Habitat, Selibon, CURO, Maduro & Curiel's Bank, Fundashon Cas Bonairiano, the Tourism
Corporation of Bonaire, BONHATA, the Green Parrot Restaurant, and the Sandwich Factory.
- BONHATA. On Friday, February 26th, at 6pm in the conference room at Captain Don's Habitat, the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association (BONHATA) will hold it's regular annual General Assembly. All BONHATA
members are encouraged to attend, as are those organizations and individuals who derive income from tourism. BONHATA will briefly review its progress in the last year as it pertains to airlift, crime, and government
interaction, and then will hold an open forum so that BONHATA members can help set the agenda for the coming year. A new vice president will also be slated for nomination and election at the meeting to fill the
position left by Mikel Ann Hall as she pursues other opportunities. Free drinks and snacks will be provided. For more information, contact the BONHATA office at 5134 or mailto:info@bonhata.org .
- Blue Moon. Last week we announced that Restaurant Klein Bonaire had a new owner and a new name. Well, apparently in honor of last Sunday's rare celestial event, the new restaurant is called the Blue Moon. It
opens Thursday, February 4th for drinks and barhaps (bar food), and the full kitchen and dining opens on March 1st when the restaurant's new chef gets settled in. The Blue Moon is located just below the customs pier
on the one way road from downtown along the water front.
- BonaireLive Outage. Many BonaireLive users found themselves not able to download their e-mail messages this past Monday, with the service interruption continuing well into Tuesday. This was the result of
BonaireLive's service partner in Toronto (where the e-mail server is located) moving the server on which BonaireLive's e-mail is stored to a new, even faster system. Apparently the transition didn't go as smoothly
as intended, but as of this morning (Thursday) everything is back to normal. The biggest snag in this situation is that the Toronto partner did not notify BonaireLive of the transition, and therefore BonaireLive was
unable to inform its customers ahead of time that there might be an outage. We've been informed that BonaireLive is in the process of trying to come up with redundancy solutions that will avoid a repeat of this
problem in the future. BonaireLive can be contacted at 5180 or mailto:tjin@bonairelive.com .
- UW Photo Newsletter. As underwater photographers ourselves, we're always looking for ways to improve our knowledge of the subject. For the last half year we've been receiving the monthly Blue Water
Newsletter, written and published by Peter Chestnut of Blue Water Photo, a photo processing company in Texas specializing in developing and printing underwater photographs and slides. His newsletter, which is
actually written very objectively, is full of interesting tips and tricks regarding film types, film handling, dealing with black & white photography underwater, and much more. It's been a real learning
experience for us. Those interested in subscribing can get three free issues before committing to a $24/year annual subscription. To sign up, contact Peter at mailto:bluwater@mindspring.com .
- PADI Update. All PADI professionals (divemaster and higher certifications) should plan on going to the annual PADI Update being offered by PADI Regional Manager Mike Hill on Thursday, February 11th, at
6:00pm at Capt Don's Habitat. The update session is expected to last 2-3 hours, and will feature news about a variety of changes PADI has implemented in several existing and new programs. No need to pre-register,
but arrive early to get a seat - last year's update was standing room only.
- U.S. Consul Visit. Americans on Bonaire take note. The U.S. Consul General for the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba will be on Bonaire on February 23rd for American Citizen Services. The Consul will be
available at Trans World Radio from 10:15am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-4:00pm on a first come, first serve basis, and will offer the following services: U.S. passport renewals or first time issuance, report of a birth
abroad to a U.S. citizen, immigrant visa application for the spouse, parent or child of a U.S. citizen, and notarial and authentication services.
Classifieds
Lots of things for sale, and some things being sought (please note that we do not warrant the accuracy or validity of the
products/services/etc. being presented here):
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For Sale:
AUTOMOBILES
1987 Toyota Starlet for NAFl. 3000
1993 toyota starlet for NAFl. 7000
both in good condition
Call Marlon at 7292
MOTORCYCLE & BICYCLE & PHONE/FAX/ANSWERING MACHINE
Suzuki 550 motorbike for NAfl 3500.
Raleigh off and on road bicycle for NAfl. 400
Telephone/fax/answer machine for NAfl. 400
Call 2050 for details.
BOOKS: Sea Change, personally autographed by author Dr. Sylvia Earle, NAFl. 25,- or US$14. Profits go to benefit the Bonaire Marine Park. Call Jake at 6773, mailto: jake@nettechnv.com .
RANGE ROVER STATION WAGON
Classic '76 4x4 - only one of its kind on Bonaire
Mint condition with parts and qualified maintenance available locally.
Only NAFl. 12,000. Call 7223 or e-mail mailto: intertech@bonairelive.com
TOYOTA TERCEL
"Classic" car. Cream puff condition, 65,000 miles. Asking Nafl. 5000. Call 2447
COMPUTER HARDWARE
Used 2GB External SCSI Hard Disk - 3 years old - Nafl. 500 or best offer
Used (5 months) 32MB DIMM - Nafl. 75
Call 6773 or mailto: jake@nettech.an
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Want to Buy:
TELEPHONE ANSWERING MACHINE
- Should be in good condition and be easy to use
Contact mailto: classifieds@nettech.an
STUFF FOR APARTMENT
- Second Hand (small) refrigerator with freezer section
* Furniture for a small living room
* Bed (mattress size 1.90m x 1.40m)
* A carpenter :-) who can make me a bed and a desk/cubboard
Contact tel./fax 5095 or e-mail mailto: titus71@hotmail.com
USED NOTEBOOK COMPUTER:
Looking to spend not more than Nafl. 1500. Send details to mailto: classifieds@BonaireENews.com .
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