susangg
Head Administrator
Registered: 11-2005
Posts: 102
Karma: 3 (+3/-0)
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
WARNING: criminals stealing solar panels from homes in Bocas
Today my husband was told by two people that a ring of thieves is roaming the islands stealing solar panels from homes. In one case, the thieves came by boat and pulled guns when confronted by either homeowners or their caretaker. I wonder if these weren't the same thieves who stole our solar light from the navigation buoy in front of our property a few months ago...???
I am not sure what the answer is (other than armed homeowners). The police in town try their best, but going after these kinds of criminals requires a better equipped law enforcement entity (including maritime police) than exists out here. And reportedly, these thefts are not occurring anywhere near town.
One way we can keep this kind of organized criminal activity down is by not buying "stuff" unless it comes from a store or reputable dealer, or someone you personally know who is moving away and selling their stuff. It is particularly important for the building contractors to refuse offers of "deals" on expensive construction equipment and supplies. As customers, we should insist on written receipts for everything and on being consulted on the source of all items above a certain dollar amount. If the intended "market" for stolen property isn't to be found here, the thieves will lose interest.
And having a caretaker living onsite if you are an absentee homwowner and keeping a light on at night is certainly a good preventive measure, though apparently in at least one case, it didn't matter; the thieves were apparently willing to escalate the crime from burglary to armed robbery.
|
4/4/2006, 5:53 pm
|
Link to this post
Send Email to susangg
Send PM to susangg
|