Breakins at Club O

July 3rd there were more than one chalets entered in the middle of the night and electronics taken. The screen doors were the only things between the perps and the victims. On another web sight it was reported that 7 were entered. I talked to a person that was a victim and I thought he said 4. The perps actually went in while the people were sleeping inside. No one was harmed. This actually happened again on the 10 of July also.

Any word of this in the local paper, or did Club O try to keep it on the QT and not notify the Police?

What does the subject line mean? Not breakins at Club O..

Usually when I see a confusing title, I read the post to figure out what the OP meant. "Speelcheck is my worst enema".
Darnit !! These phones have a mind of their own !

Proofreading is pretty easy. I frankly can't figure out what this title is supposed to mean. Obviously there were break-ins at Club O, so why does the title say "not"?

I'm taking it as meaning they were not break-ins as the robbers just walked in because the doors were not locked?

That makes sense, Kim; although I'd call it a break-in if someone entered my home without my consent. No big deal, but I do wish more people would use the preview feature that's here on TTOL. And don't even get me started on spelling and grammar, lol.

I thought the OP meant "NOW breakins at Club O". Maybe
MORWAVES could clear it up for us.

While I do find the title confusing or misleading, I think the OP was trying to clarify what was posted elsewhere. Not sure what that has to do with TTOL as it was not posted here in the same fashion it was elsewhere.

I vote "Now"

I had asked on another website about the "break ins" and received a few different answers from one break in to 7 break ins and even received an answer from one of the victims. Screen doors were left unlocked, people came in and stole electronics. One person said she was awakened about 4 in the morning to two people with a flashlight standing over her kitchen table. She yelled and they grabbed her small wireless speaker and took off. She put on the light and they ran toward the beach towards Papagayo. It is very unsettling to know that people are "wandering around" the chalets in the middle of the night and no one (security) notices it. We stay in Orient Beach Park which has security at one end and a locked gate at the other but that doesn't matter as people can make their way to the village via CO road and the behind the beach road. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I almost always use the preview feature here, but I use Firefox a good part of the time now, and it underlines misspelled words, like Word does, so that is helpful also. Hard to understand what the OP meant.

Regardless of the garbled title, that is pretty disturbing news. Club O has always felt really secure.

IMO, most places seem safe and reasonably secure. Until something goes wrong, that is.

We always feel very safe at the Towers and yet, I know there have been thefts there but to date, nothing inside the building that I'm aware of.

It's always hard to accept these things happening on our beloved island, but sadly they do and on both sides of the island, too.

Kim is correct. The sliders were left open for air circulation . There were only screen doors.Put the title that way for curiosity and as always,it worked lol. Too many serious people. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

With all due respect, a break-in, a robbery, a theft or any other crime should be taken seriously.

Thanks JD. I started to say the same, but as I guess I'm one of the "too many serious people" I decided to bite my tongue.

We still feel secure here at Club O. I wouldn't leave my doors open in the states either. Was trying to clarify between 7 and 4 thefts Rural. I was joking about the ones trying to figure out the title.

Actually, NO, that is still a breaking in. And I am one of the serious ones too. I do not find this funny at all.

It is a serious matter and would be even more serious if it involved you. I don't care if it is 7 thefts, 4 thefts or 1 theft, it is a crime and should not be taken lightly. I find it very distasteful when people choose to joke about crime, a murder, etc. and it happens way too often. I recently noticed elsewhere a couple of people joking on a post about the girl that was killed while jogging. Very distasteful!

This is also what happens when people read multiple boards, believe everything they read on the internet and and then try to consolidate it elsewhere. I prefer to deal in facts and just because it is posted on the internet does not make it fact.

Technically It is not a break in. But I understand what you all are saying. Some insurance companies will try to deny claims if there is no sign of forced entry.Just saying.

NO, if the screen was closed, it was a break in. I don't care what insurance companies do. Regardless, it is a crime and a serious matter.

A legal definition:

breaking and entering

n. 1) the criminal act of entering a residence or other enclosed property through the slightest amount of force (even pushing open a door), without authorization. If there is intent to commit a crime, this is burglary. If there is no such intent, the breaking and entering alone is probably at least illegal trespass, which is a misdemeanor crime. 2) the criminal charge for the above.

Carol, I know you see the newspaper here and was wondering myself if this was in it. We didn't hear anything from Club O, only the people staying here and the victims. I could see Club O not saying anything about this but not sure telling everyone so as to be more alert about what is going on.

We were there during that time and did hear about the break ins from one of the victims. It seems the beach access to club o is not that secure at night I sent club o an email and asked them what security measures they are going to put in place. If you walk in the area where the beach bars were reconstructed they have it lit up at night very bright so people walking around would be noticed. I think club o should do the same or put s security station along the beach at night. Even if the stationed someone at the perch We actually did not feel as safe walking the streets of Hrand Case this year with too many groups hanging around

I have not seen mention of it in the Daily Herald, although the DH often does not cover French side stories very thoroughly. I generally do not read the French side newspapers, as I do not read French and google translate is often quite garbled.

I agree it is a good idea to let people know here that this happened. As to whether Club O would inform their clients or not, I wouldn't know.

For clarification, it was 7 chalets broken into one night and 4 more places broken into a few nights later.

The French police were notified, responded, but IMHO were not very helpful.

Not directing this to the specifics of the situation at Club O but more or less as a generality, I don't think any of the beachfront locations, be they resorts, guest houses or private residences, are particularly secure at night. And even the presence of nighttime security staff is not much of a guarantee, unless of course, there are several armed guards in place, and I don't think we want that. At least I know I don't. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

To my knowledge no Security Guards at Club O have weapons. Don't know that I would want to confront anyone that would be suspected of crimes. They are already breaking the law and could have a weapon themselves. I have seen Security at different times of the night walk past the chalets.

Bill and Francine you know the wife and I and was wondering how many you heard about on the first night. You were back home when it happened the second time.(I think)

Surveillance cameras would obviously be a way to help, but then we know that no one would want them outside of their chalet or suite for obvious reasons. More security officers would certainly help, at least at night, but that creates an additional expense to Club O which would then be passed on to the guests. I am certain most guests wouldn't object to paying a higher rate in exchange for more security officers, but it gets to the point of being too much $$ and not enough security.

After my incident in June, I thought my only safe refuge was Club O I guess I was wrong!! We always lock the doors anywhere when we are home or away. Has Club O made any offical statements?

Hello, Walt,

I was thinking of you and your experience and yet your continued confidence in the Club O environment as I read the earliest posts in this thread.

Like you, we always lock up securely wherever we are, even here in our 'safe' little corner of CT and in our quiet little corner of SXM.

I hope you are well and finding it easier to put the bad island experience behind you but I'm sure none of these incidents help.

I too was wondering how you are doing, Walt. I hope that you are physically recovered, at least.

Thanks for the concern, pretty much back to "normal". Still have some short term memory lapses but getting there. MD says it may take several months due to my age (64)(did think that was too old <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />) to stop these lapses. We are making plans to go back 2 thugs are NOT going to change the way we feel about SXM. I can tell you we will make some changes in our actions.

Best wishes. I hope you will fully heal soon.

We were there June 27 to July 9 and on the morning of the 4th was told about it from one of the victims

Thanks, Walt, for your update, and here's hoping for a complete recovery. We, too, have always felt safe at Club Orient. There is a temptation to enjoy the night by leaving the slider open, but it doesn't trump the need for security. There is a bright light shining on the beach at the Perch Bar, and security does make frequent rounds during the night, usually by golf cart, with the headlight turned off. I'm glad that Club O reported this to police, and hopefully the perpetrators are caught.

I vote "not"....The OP actually stated that the break-ins happened while people were sleeping. They walked in. They did not break in. The doors were open on the chalets. Therefore, "not breakins" makes complete sense.

While I think club o cares as much as any place, I would not leave doors and windows unlocked. Our first stay there, the studio slider did not lock and they couldn't fix and I had them bring me a good stick.

It is very brazen to go into occupied spaces for theft and very scary.

I would hope clubs o has some extra vigilance/surveillance/patrol of the property from all entry points in light of this. We plan to be there in 180 days.

It could be a fine line between theft and assault or worse.

Here is a bit of helpful information that I use everytime I travel and it works well with the exception of a door opening to the outside. This will also work on sliding screen door.You can get these on Amazon or Ebay but here is a link for a door alarm wedge that is very simple to use. https://www.amazon.com/1byone-Stopper-Se...oor+alarm+wedge

To guests and friends of Club Orient:

We have unfortunately been the target of a person or persons, who entered unlocked rooms at Club Orient and took primarily electronic items and cash that were left on counters and nightstands. Thankfully, no guests were confronted, although one guest did chase the perpetrator(s) away from his porch, before an attempt to enter was made and he tripped and fell in the process.

We have made no attempt to sweep this under the rug or minimize it and in fact, have done quite the opposite, springing into action to ensure our guests’ safety and peace of mind, which is always top priority.

The Gendarmes were called upon learning of the incidents, came to the resort and interviewed everyone involved, who agreed to speak with them. Our night security staff has been doubled and special night patrols have been implemented. A security specialist has also been retained to manage the increased security protocol, which will remain in force for the foreseeable future.

We have always had visible and non-visible physical security that patrol the property 24/7, as well as multiple cameras at every entrance to the resort, including the beach. Those cameras are always monitored by our security staff. We have turned all of the tapes from the appropriate cameras over to the police for their review.

We have also begun reminding guests checking in to take the same general precautions they would take anywhere while traveling or at home, including locking their doors and not leaving valuables in plain sight but, placing them in the in room safes.

No one has been more shocked and concerned than us by these events. We are proud of the numerous years we have hosted thousands of visitors, without incident. We are doing all we can to ensure the continued safety and peace of mind for all of our guests, including precautions and changes, which we will not disclose publically for security reasons.

Club Orient has always been a safe and friendly place to visit and feel strongly that this remains a safe environment for our guests to visit.

One last thing about these alarms that I forgot to mention. You should by two due to the fact that most places have front and back doors https://www.amazon.com/1byone-Stopper-Se...oor+alarm+wedge

Read the definition of "breaking and entering" that I posted earlier. We are not voting on what is and is not crime here.

Yes, we have made an official statement in this forum. We regret the incidents and as always, Club Orient guest safety and peace of mind remains our top priority!

Thanks for taking the time to respond Mr. Payne. We have always felt safe at Club O.

Seems like all this could have been avoided by locking the sliders and putting down the stick. With A/C and fan there is no need to be sleeping with slider open. If that's your preference, I guess you assume the risk. And thank you, Steve, for responding. People are awfully judgmental on this board sometimes

Thanks for taking the time to respond here.

I've been informed by someone who stays in the Waterfront Chalets during their visits, that not many of the Chalets have air conditioning in the living room and kitchen areas, only in the bedrooms. She also mentioned some people leave the doors open for the breeze to go through to help cool the unit. We'll be staying in a Waterfront Chalet our next trip. I hope our unit has air conditioning in the living room and kitchen!

Edited to add:

Maybe if the living rooms/kitchens had air conditioning installed, this may eliminate the need to leave the doors open.

The chalets were not the only units broken into...

It used to be that ALL of the chalets only had a/c in the bedrooms. Perhaps that has changed, but I don't know that it has. During the day, leave the doors and windows open, yes. But at night, lock the doors and close the door to the bedroom and have the a/c on in the bedroom.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

It all stinks. Nothing better than keeping the windows and screen doors open at the beach and enjoying the salt air and temps while sleeping. Unfortunately that cannot be enjoyed unless you own the "Compound" and ensure security. Another one in the good old days column.

Thank you Stephen Payne for your great post! My wife and I have been staying at your resort since 2007. We love it there, always feel safe. We always lock up our valuables and our doors just like we would at home. We will be back in October and use the same care that we always do. We love you guys!

Same thing happened to wife and I at Club O 2010. Perp came in room and rifled through my walking shorts pocket's while shorts were on pull out couch in room. Wife woke up and startled person who took off running. Not sure who it was, but found strange woman's bathing suit bottoms under my shorts in the am. Luckily we had everything locked up in room safe. No resolve. Lesson learnt, don't let your guard down, but still enjoy vacation. Did learn that the new glass sliding doors have a position that can be securely locked while leaving slider open about six inches providing fresh air and sense of security.

Maybe I'm the simple one here but I would NEVER think of just leaving a door to my rental unlocked while I slept...anywhere....especially if I was in a room with the A/C going and couldn't hear what what going on behind the closed BR door....
...and a "locked" or secured screen door is pointless

Thank you for your statement and the increased security

Thanks Steve for explaining everything.

We always lock the doors and cannot imagine leaving the door unlocked while sleeping.

It sounds like Steve is on top of things...We have always felt very safe at club orient...since 2000.....I can go in April...use common sense....and have a great vacation.

I'll admit - I would always leave the screen doors unlocked at The Towers, but I was on the 8th floor!!!!!!! Never would I at ground level, anywhere!!! Thought about it at Lake Placid last year on the second floor then decided not a good idea!!