Found this on an Aruba news site - notice the word AGAIN <BR> <BR>07/28/2000 <BR> <BR>Americans assaulted in their hotel room. <BR>by Eddy -- [email protected] <BR> <BR> <BR>A BLOW FOR ARUBA'S TOURISM INDUSTRY. <BR> <BR>Palm Beach, <BR> <BR>July 28th 2000, <BR> <BR>It has been common news in the papers on the island in the last few weeks. A couple was again assaulted at a high rise hotel on the <BR>island. The American couple was enjoying the nice breeze at their porch of their room when they were assaulted with a knife by 4 <BR>males. According to the police it is not clear as to what the criminals took away from the guests of the hotel. <BR> <BR>

I would not let this report stop me from returning to Aruba. Having visited 2ce in the past year, stayed in the Hyatt both times and loved it. Aruba is far safer than many other islands and that's a big part of what makes it so great!

The perpetrators were illegal aliens from South America. They were caught and deported. <BR> <BR>Like in Cayman, crime is very rare in Aruba because employment (of Arubians) is about 100%. The govt supports its people and poverty is minimal. <BR> <BR>Very recent crackdowns on illegal aliens will make isolated incidents even less common. <BR> <BR>Ask 100 visitors if Aruba is safe, and you'll get 100 "yes" answers. <BR> <BR>

Yet another: <BR> <BR>07/28/2000 <BR> <BR>Crime rises dramatically in the hotel area. <BR>by Eddy -- [email protected] <BR> <BR> <BR>THEIR IS NO CRIME IN PARADISE, CRIME IS GETTING OUT OF HAND IN ARUBA. <BR> <BR>Oranjestad, <BR> <BR>July 28th 2000, <BR> <BR>Locals are worried sick about the situation that is slowly damaging Aruba's image as a very safe island. It seems as if every day something is robbed in the hotel area. A visitor received a punch in his face when two burglars were discovered in their room. And just yesterday two Americans were assaulted with a knife in their room. Police believe that their is a gang responsible for these incidents. <BR>Just in the beginning of the year a similar wave of crime occurred at the hotel area and the crime dropped significantly when two gangs were caught by the police. Now it is <BR>increasing dramatically again. <BR> <BR>It is unacceptable that 7,000 local workers would have to fear for their jobs tomorrow if the crime situation really gets out of control in Aruba. Visitors would not want to come <BR>to a crime infested island. The government of Aruba has do something now before it is to late. As long as Aruba is promoting itself as one of the safest islands in the Caribbean <BR>we can not allow these damaging incidents to occur. <BR> <BR>

Was this in the Arubian Newspaper? <BR>Someone needs to learn how to spell...their vs there???? <BR> <BR>What has the crime increased 100% from <BR>1 to 2 thefts a year?? <BR> <BR>We never felt safer when we were in Aruba! <BR>

I don't know about Aruba now after reading all these stories. <BR> <BR>I start reading how safe the island is and then I find out it's because the island is really split in two. The resort side and where the people live. <BR> <BR>Why is it this way to start? Is it not safe elsewhere on the island away from the resorts? And now crime moves into the resort area. I don't care if they were local or immagrants; crime is crime. Aruba is off my list!!!

I read somewhere that the hoteliers have rallied together to try to control this situation. The first people they are looking at: their own security people. Guess you can get good help any more.

Hi there friend, <BR> <BR>This is Eddy from Eddy's Aruba News, their has indeed been a few crime incidents against visitors recently on the island. However the resorts have united in dealing with the problem. Aruba is not crime infested. It is yet one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, that is the reason why it is a shock for locals to hear these incidents as well as for visitors. <BR> <BR>Nevertheless we are fighting the problem so that it won't get out of hand in the resort area. Though crime is every place on the earth, you must use common sense and to not leave your valuables unattended at the beach huts ect. When you park your car do not leave valuables visible in the car this is tempting for thieves. Make sure that your car doors are locked at all times. <BR> <BR>Police on the island do believe that their is group responsible for these attacks so their keeping a close watch, <BR>though again the situation has normalized and their has been no attacks reported in the last week.. <BR> <BR>

<BR> <BR>Aruba is not divided into 2 sections (resort section and people section where it is unsafe). You will be surprise to know how safe it is to walk in the capital of Oranjestad at night and at many other towns in around the island. <BR> <BR> <BR>Their has been no murder this year on the island..the crime issue in Aruba is not as bad as you think it is...You must remember that when a visitor is being attacked it makes big news on the island as this is an attack against our main industry which is tourism. Therefor have the hotels united last week together with the police force in order to secure the safe environment at this area. The resort area is not the only safest location on the island, that is way incorrect.. Many visitors can tell you that they have walked at 1:00am on the beach with out being attacked or they have been at other towns in Aruba until late at night with nobody bothering them. <BR> <BR>The reason why Eddy's Aruba News has posted the articles is not to create a panic feeling about Aruba, but to wake you up that crime is everywhere and we need to use common sense as you do back home. Aruba is still a safe destination and does not need the image of an unsafe destination taking into account that these were the first two mayor incidents of the year. It is shocking, it is the truth but crime is everywhere and Aruba is still safer.

I know Eddy personally. He is Arubian <BR>going to university in Holland. He is <BR>home in Aruba on holidays and is very <BR>knowledgeable about his country. <BR>Another source would be Jamilie's News, <BR>(www.aruba-bb.com). She is also Arubian <BR>and lives there currently. You can find <BR>her news at the top of the Aruba BB <BR>homepage. I believe that the thieves <BR>mentioned in this thread have already <BR>been arrested-- they were illegal <BR>immigrants. That information should be <BR>available in Jamilie's News. <BR>In my opinion, Aruba is still considered <BR>one of the safest islands in the <BR>Caribbean. Aruba takes very seriously <BR>their tourism industry and their police <BR>have very effective in keeping their <BR>country safe--- and if problems arise, <BR>they seem to be very quick in resolving <BR>them. I would not hesitate to return <BR>to Aruba. In fact, we are returning for <BR>our third visit in May 2001. Further- <BR>more, Aruba is not divided in two. The <BR>only Caribbean island that is one <BR>island, divided into two countries is <BR>Dutch St. Maartin and French St. Martin. <BR>I would suggest that you go to two <BR>websites about Aruba, both containing <BR>BBs, trip reports and many other <BR>Aruba-related information are: Visit <BR>Aruba (www.visitaruba.com) and Aruba <BR>Bulletin Board (www.aruba-bb.com). <BR>Further, there is no current U.S. State <BR>Department warning for tourists <BR>regarding Aruba. <BR>JanGail

a

Is anywhere safe?

No, nowhere is 100% safe. But Aruba is safer than most places!!

Not those pesky South Americans?

So, [email protected], I guess you have grown tired of St. Martins & moved on to Aruba? Thank-you so much for being our safety patrol!!! My God - why don't you get a life!!! Are you so naive/stupid/inane/insipid that you think any place is crime free? THE SKY IS FALLING!! THE SKY IS FALLING!! Tell me, were you around during the Salem Witchcraft Trials??? You obviously thrive on hysteria & paranoia and have nothing whatsoever to do with your free time. Why don't you just go lock yourself up in a nice box somewhere? THERE IS NO PLACE ON THIS EARTH YOU CAN TRAVEL AND NOT RUN INTO CRIME!!!!!!!!! The remotest areas of Ireland, the Caymans, the BVIS - it is everywhere. All we can do is search for places where it is limited, and Aruba is one of those places. i don't know what I find more disgusting - the morons like Karen, or the mindless idiotic sheep like Bubba who read something on a travel board by someone who doesn't even have the guts to put down their real name & believes it!!! Hey, Bubba - I've got a great deal on oceanfront property in Idaho! I read about it on a web site, so it must be true!

Get used to it. Tired of dealing with the same people from St Martin. Looking for fresh meat to bother.