Safety /aruba/other Vacation Spots

[Andrea J.]

Safety in Aruba and/or any vacation destination.

Safety is certainly a priority.

I want to reiterate to everyone……….PLEASE, wherever you are staying
LOCK UP YOUR STUFF.
LEAVE NO VALUABLES IN VEHICLES.

Many folks take great pleasure in “slamming destinations” just to b e difficult.
Many of us reiterate some real or perceived unsafe conditions in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Jersey Shore, Vegas, Cape Cod, Disney World and other vacation destinations.
Crime happens EVERYWHERE.
We all must be on our defensive EVERYWHERE.
Unfortunately this world is full of unsavory individuals that prey on tourists.
Do you know that you could be sitting at the beach on Cape Cod and your next door neighbor could be robbing your house because he knows you are at the beach?
You could be in Bonaire/Aruba/Curacao/St. Maarten/Grand Cayman snorkeling and another individual is rummaging thru your belongings in your resort room.
You could be at Mass in St Peter’s Square and your hotel room is being ransacked 3 blocks away?

In our society today crime is everywhere.

Some of the resorts have great security set ups.
Some do not.
If you rent a room at one of the apartments, what is to have prevented the prior tenants from copying keys and then invading your space and stealing and violating you?

My dear friends were violated in Aruba a few days ago.
All of their possessions were taken.
Ipod, laptops, walkman cd players, cell phones, passports, cash EVERYTHING taken except their luggage.

It happens when we least expect it.
Apparently it happened when they least expected it.

These fine folks are long time Aruba lovers.
In fact, the woman is the moderator of one of the very good and popular bulletin boards.
She and her hubby are very loyal Aruba goers.

This visit they were staying at an apartment up in the Malmok area.
From what I understand it was an apartment break/invasion.
I do not know if their stuff was locked in a safe…….maybe some of it was, maybe not.

My heart aches for them and their troubles.

What the heck has this world come to anyway?

Stay Safe! Carry little cash. Buy travel insurance. Use Credit Cards safely.

Don’t flash casino winnings around. Use the lock box/safety box in resort rooms and take the key………….do not hide the key.

And now the commentary is over……………

I look forward to comments, replies, rebuttals.
Again, remember who the owner of this site is….Aruba Tourism Authority. Remember, we are guests of the ArubaTourism Authority

andrea

[phillyboater]

Very well put Andrea. You are right crime is everywhere, but we are very fortunate that Aruba so far has escaped the violent crime that plagues many of our cities. I am sure that there are many reasons for that and the Aruban Authorities can and I believe will take steps to keep Aruba as safe as it is.

That said all of your ideas for safety are good ones. May I add. Keep doors and windows locked at all times. Double check them. When out and about be aware of your surroundings. At night walk in well lit areas that are not deserted. Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle, but if you must at least keep them out of sight. If you have a laptop or PDA try to use it inside and out of sight. When out of the room place it out of sight, maybe locked in a suitcase if it won't fit in the safe. Record serial numbers and take pictures of the items. Make copies of all valuable papers, passports, tickets, credit cards and have copies in several places.

This is no different than actions you probably take when you are at home. We just all think nothing bad could happen in our Paradise. And, if we take reasonable precautions it will not happen to us. Aruba is still one of the safest places on the Earth.

[Arubalisa]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1153.html#safety
SAFETY AND SECURITY: There are no known extremist groups, areas of instability or organized crime on Aruba, although drug trafficking rings do operate on the island. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the

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 that 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 female 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.

[rob o]

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

I look forward to comments, replies, rebuttals.


andrea

I still feel safer in Aruba than any place I've been in the Carribean. You just have to play it smart. Sometimes, even that isn't good enough.

Apartments or homes are easier targets than hotel rooms.

[Andrea J.]

rob and others
i feel safer in aruba than i do in my own hometown.

just this afternoon, i had to be escorted to my car as there were some scary looking guys across from where i was parked.

playing it smart does not mean being paranoid and uncomfortable...it just means to be smart or smarter than the creeps out there.

the few postings that i have read online about home breaks have not been at the resorts. all at individual residences or at apartments.

andrea

Originally Posted by rob o

I still feel safer in Aruba than any place I've been in the Carribean. You just have to play it smart. Sometimes, even that isn't good enough.

Apartments or homes are easier targets than hotel rooms.

[cindyo]

I too feel safer in aruba, with all the nuts here in RI( those of you know what I am writing about.....LOL). What a shame for the people you know that had the invasion. ANyone would feel violated. Hope this didn't present any problems for them getting home. Wonder if home owners covers that stuff.
I have to share this with everyone....my 15 yr old daughter came down for breakfast b4 school, and said," you two( meaning rob and I) are sick, your obsession with aruba.com is crazy. I am going to take a picture of you both at the counter with your coffee and post it".....my thoughts...enuf from the peanut gallery....

[rob o]

Originally Posted by cindyo

..my 15 yr old daughter came down for breakfast b4 school, and said," you two( meaning rob and I) are sick, your obsession with aruba.com is crazy. I am going to take a picture of you both at the counter with your coffee and post it"......

Hi cindyo....didn't see you were there.....good morning!

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by cindyo

I too feel safer in aruba, with all the nuts here in RI( those of you know what I am writing about.....LOL).

Ummm...something to do with drivers and plows and snow and mailboxes?

Originally Posted by cindyo

I have to share this with everyone....my 15 yr old daughter came down for breakfast b4 school, and said," you two (meaning rob and I) are sick, your obsession with aruba.com is crazy. I am going to take a picture of you both at the counter with your coffee and post it".....my thoughts...enuf from the peanut gallery....

I hope you told her that there are much much worse things in this world to be obsessed about.

Besides, "One Happy Island" makes everyone happy.

[qlaval]

Originally Posted by rob o

Hi cindyo....didn't see you were there.....good morning!

...

[lizzardo]

having lived here for 3 years plus full time - I have never heard of so much crime happening. I am very concerned because I have my 81 year old parents living with me. What happens if they are there when a break in occurs?

There seems to be nothing happening by anyone in Aruba govt about this except to hush it up. The local news always shows car accidents but nothing about american tourists break-ins. Maybe they don't think it applies to the natives. With the overbuilding and high prices of the units - something needs to be done.

From what I hear from other posts - it sounds like the police have their hands tied from investigating the crimes.

Perhaps a "vacationers dept" should be opened at the police dept to help people who aren't familar with the system to deal with how to at least get the proper reports for insurance and also to do a "special investigation unit" for these crimes.

In the states - we have neighborhood watches but with all the different languages involved might be difficult but something like that could be done as well.

I understand that most of the "apartments" have security. What are they doing?

Can you PM me about which apartments were broken into just so I know not to recommend them when asked. I won't mention why.

Thanks
Lizzardo