Burglaries in Bocas Del Toro

I agree with Laura. Although I haven't been robbed yet I know it's just a matter of time. The fault seems to lie with the police. Even presented with video evidence of a 17 year old stealing property they say that nothing can be done except to catch him in the act and beat him!! Is this really the law? I seem to remember years ago that juveniles committing crimes would be sent to a juvenile detention center, something doesn't smell right here.

People interested in relocating to Panama NEED to know the real deal. The manner in which the law and legal system is handled, is out of touch with the imagine they are trying to portray.
Hope things turn around for the innocent victims.

Their do nothing attitude will kill the goose that laid the Golden Egg in their lap.
A big PR campaign can only cover the facts for so long.

in regard to the pleaful letter from sweet laura kay, i write safely from my new home 'somewhere' in panama after moving from bocastown - isla colon, a month ago. i lived there for over 4 years.

i am an american, single woman, overwhelmingly frustrated with the level of lawlessness, while i lived there, tho was not in fear for my life, until a couple months ago.

i was one of the few gringos who moved there simply because i loved everything about the island, its people, way of life, tranquility, cost of living, natural un-spoiled beauty, etc...

i accepted the risk of living without certain important priorities on a 'tranquil tropical island' such as - absolutely no hospital facilities, or police enforcement. i did not own a business, i did not work for other gringos - taking a potential job away from a local, nor did i hire slave labour at $1.25/hr. i did, however, learn to speak spanish, fluently, and contributed /volunteered 4 years of my life helping to improve things for the local community, children and animals.

i waited 3 years before i felt comfortable enough to buy a small lot, design and begin to build a small house, not as an investment, tho, simply because i adored bocas so much, i felt confident i would live there for the rest of my life. (and i'm only in my 40's!).

about a year ago, the perverbial shit hit the fan so suddenly it was mind-blowing. the recent corruption affected the costs of everything (just one example, land-fill - coleche, went from $30/load to $85/load overnight, and it's quarried just across the street from my lot). the re-claiming of property, bogus titles, etc... made me finally tuck my tail tightly between my legs, chalk up more than $75k (my life savings) as a loss, and put the lot, foundation, and all the building materials on the market.

that was over a year ago, and i'm only asking a bargain price of $35k for everything. you need not be psychic to realize there's not been one, single nibble of interest to even inquire about the sale, much less, an offer of a lower price. i do wonder why?

does this help explain why the recent corruption, crime, including murder, home invasion, crack dealing, armed gangs of bandits, are over-looked with out even a shrug from the government, and law-makers? a few people are getting very, very rich, very, very fast, and they'll be long gone before the laws are finally changed and implemented. i'm sure they're all laughing loudly up their sleeves...

one last thing, i made lots of friends while i was living in bocas for 4 years, and i hope everyday i don't hear about anymore of them getting hurt of killed. kim crofts, who was shot dead (by the way, i don't remember anyone being up-front enough to mention he was shot 5 times, as if once wasn't enough to stop him chasing the perp..) and his lovely wife, mary, were among my favorite friends on the island.

i am very afraid, and i'm definitely no wimp. i have intentionally withheld my where-abouts in panama' - tho if anyone wants to get in touch with me, i'll be happy to share some really great news! and to do anything more that i can, to be of help.

otherwise, lots of luck, bocas - for the future...

much peace & love to all, from me, lynnie - ann english

ps: note to those of you who are not living the golden rule, karma is taking note...

pps: and thanks laura, for you eloquent letter, i hope peter is all better, and mucho felizidades for your yoga studio.

"The police are completely apathetic, unsympathetic and take no action. It's almost like we are living in anarchy here."

Well, that is because police do not actually exist as virtuous defenders of right to life and property in any pocket of this planet, as much as you might wish it or will it so. I think one would be pleasantly surprised with the increases in safety and security were government not messing that up that sector of the market too, i.e. were there not an incompetent, morally disincentivized, corrupt mafia (government) in possession of a monopoly of force over a legally-disarmed public.

I have been living in panama city for over 4 years and recently spent 2 months living in and experiencing bocas del toro, isla colon. I am reading these articles about the crime and what expats or gringos are doing there and I am scratching my head. I am a realist thinking kind of a person and conservative in my ways of thinking but still like to have a good time. Enough about me, now let me comment on what I see are the constant issues that people keep repeating in this place and maybe some people will stop asking for trouble. I have never had a problem in the city of being robbed or burgularized and actually feel very safe here and I have no complaints about the police actually I like them most of the time. But if you put yourself in harms way dont blame them, because you made it so easy for some creep to commit the perfect crime.
Point one, Gringos go to bocas del toro with a mentality like mother teresa, they are going to fix everything, help everybody,befriend everybody,make everything better and take all the little kiddies out of poverty because they are in bocas now and they know what to do. Very sadly I have read this in many articles, well STOP THIS MENTALITY! You cannot do this, you are visiting a culture that already exhists and the people know what they know. If you start bringing all the very poor people into your house or give out money like confetti or act like you love everybody you are making yourself a target! You need to be private with your personal effects and not broadcast your life to an island of people who would like to take what you have, if you have a grass cutting guy, he will cut the grass, he does not have to have breakfast at your table in front of your grandmothers expensive silverware or help you clean your camera or whatever, keep him outside to cut the grass. Its only a free meal to him and an opportunity to see what you have.
In the mentality here of the average uneducated person they basically think about today, not tomorrow , they do not think like you do and you cant make them think any other way, even if you are such a beautiful person. I hope you get the picture.
If you do let somebody in your house this person needs to be highly selected and then be prepared that the worst is possible, you are just taking a calculated risk.
Same with these bars around town, at times I felt like I dropped into a scene in apocalypse now or something, I hate to mention the wild bill parties I have seen on the internet and you tube but why would people want to get involved with a guy who likes skull and bones and wears a bull horn hat on his head, maybe a drink or some food at the bar but getting too friendly can be your demise as there are creepy people that look for weaknesses and will take advantage of you, it is not a big happy family out there, most people are motivated by some reason, not just looking to be your best friend.
When I stayed in bocas everytime I went out I took my laptop with me in my car, however I would have made other arrangements if I didnt have my car.
If somebody came to my door I opened it partially to speak however under no circumstance would I let the unknown person in my house, make it clear you have a line of privacy that needs to be respected and establish it.
These guys that hang around the boat transports that say hello, do you have a cigarette, they are trying to feel you out, they have nothing to loose, tell them you do not have a cigarette or only 1 left. Your better off not even answering them but sometimes you can feel like your ignorant , but just remember the game they are playing. If you bring a television into your house cover the box with a sheet or something try not to make things obvious to them, it is none of their business. Also I read how a gringa doesent like the low wages here, well this is where you moved to and you need to accept it or you will be taken advantage of.
Well, if anybody reads this and practices it, they may have as much a crime free life as me. Bocas is a fun place, some great restaurants on the water, beautiful scenery, some fun real people and fun to explore, I am not putting it down, but again it is an island and some local people said to me , I cannot find work and I said where do you live and they said Bastimentos and I said well you live on an island there is nothing there. Look you need to accept things for what they are, like ive seen in other articles it is good to rent for at least 6 months before buying and also visit the city as I spoke to people who live there and never visited panama city, not a good idea, to get a perspetive go to the city for some time also so you have a good idea where you are living.
Bueno Suerte.