Has there been a rise in illegal activity on Aruba?

[cschwab24]

Hey Everyone,

I'm an undergraduate student at the University of New Hampshire. I'm currently taking an honors course called "New Pirates of the Caribbean." Throughout the semester we have been studying how tourism (among other things) effects the islands. I choose Aruba as my island to write a capstone paper on.

Has there been any rise in illegal activity at night around the clubs/casinos?

[cschwab24]

Hey Everyone,

First post here in the forums. I'm an undergraduate student at the University of New Hampshire. I'm currently taking an honors course called "New Pirates of the Caribbean." Throughout the semester we have been studying how tourism (among other things) effects the islands. I choose Aruba as my island to write a capstone paper on.

Has anyone living on Aruba noticed any major increase in drug problems or violence? I know many other Caribbean islands have. Thank you in advance, this will help me write my paper.

[Arubalisa]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...153.html#crime

"CRIME: The crime threat in Aruba is generally considered low although travelers should always take normal precautions when in unfamiliar surroundings. There have been incidents of theft from hotel rooms and armed robberies have been known to occur. Valuables left unattended on beaches, in cars and in hotel lobbies are easy targets for theft. Car theft, especially of rental vehicles for joy riding and stripping, can occur. Vehicle leases or rentals may not be fully covered by local insurance when a vehicle is stolen or damaged. Be sure you are sufficiently insured when renting vehicles and jet skis.

Parents of young travelers should be aware that the legal drinking age of 18 is not always rigorously enforced in Aruba, so extra parental supervision may be appropriate. Young travelers in particular are urged to take the same precautions they would when going out in the United States, e.g. to travel in pairs or in groups if they choose frequenting Aruba’s nightclubs and bars, and if they opt to consume alcohol, to do so responsibly. Anyone who is a victim of a crime should make a report to Aruban police as well as report it immediately to the nearest U.S. consular office. Do not rely on hotel/restaurant/tour company management to make the report for you.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. "

https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/aa.html
"Illicit drugs:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine"

[Arubalisa]

I would make use of the wonderful search function on this forum and do searches for "crime" as well as "safety".

[Eagle Beach Boy]

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/aa.html
"Illicit drugs:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine"

Did not know that!

[Arubalisa]

"transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine"
You know, but I wonder in what context it was written. I could read that as meaning that due to the high percentage of population consuming cocaine in U.S. and Europe, Aruba has become a transit point, as well as have money laundering (who ever knew that was a word!) activity.

Aruba has been a transit point for narcotics for years due its proximity to South America. An accident of geography.

[Pegmeister]

When I was in Aruba over Thanksgiving, I happened to ask about the age requirment on alcohol assumption. I was told that 16 was the age for beer and wine and 18 for hard liquor. This really surprised me.

[Andrea J.]

the LEGAL drinking age is 18.
enforcement is not consistent.

[LaCabanaGirl]

I dont think anyone who has answered your question lives on the island, I know I don't but we all have been going to the island long enough to give you some answers. I can say without discriminating myself that yes there are illegal activities going on there and I go every year and have been for the past 15 yrs. Yes I can say that I have noticed an increase in drugs and violence. This has no effect on me whatsoever. I have alway felt safe on the island and always will as each year I go there I meet more locals which for some reason make me feel safe.

[Andrea J.]

quite possibly this is the wrong route to take re: your quest for the information that you want.
my suggestion is to contact the offices of aruban "minister of justice" and the aruba chief of police.
those 2 offices should be able to get you the facts/figures that you need.

Ministry of Justice, c/o Department of Immigration and Naturalization (DINA). Voldellaan 6-D Tel. (297) 582-8500 / (297) 585-8592, Fax (297) 585-8593

http://www.kparuba.com/ (police)

this thread is now closed.

Originally Posted by cschwab24

Hey Everyone,

First post here in the forums. I'm an undergraduate student at the University of New Hampshire. I'm currently taking an honors course called "New Pirates of the Caribbean." Throughout the semester we have been studying how tourism (among other things) effects the islands. I choose Aruba as my island to write a capstone paper on.

Has anyone living on Aruba noticed any major increase in drug problems or violence? I know many other Caribbean islands have. Thank you in advance, this will help me write my paper.