Worried about crime

December 1, 2003

Dear Sir,

Last week my wife and I returned home from our 29th trip to Bermuda. Usually this time of year I am sending you my annual Bermuda report Card on my humble visitor's opinion of your country.

Other than the increased pollution from bikes and trucks and the increased cost for everything, Bermuda, its people and its beauty had not changed since last year ... until the night before we left for home.

At 4 a.m., someone with a flashlight tried to break in through the window of the bedroom where my wife and I were sleeping. Since the window was no more than 16 inches from my wife's head, we were awakened abruptly by the sound of the screen being pried open.

I yelled very loud at the intruder and he (I assume it was a man) vanished. I then called 911 and in a few minutes I heard noises outside my room. As I went out to investigate a man with a flashlight was standing right in front of me. Twelve years of karate training snapped me into my fighting mode and I had quick thoughts of attacking the man. He quickly identified himself as an undercover policeman, and his female partner appeared very quickly. They were very nice and professional. A few minutes later a police car came. They told me that there was a break-in close by and that's why they came so quickly. Everything was in order and I went back inside.

It's hard to believe that anyone would try to rob a house that is lit up like a prison with numerous motion detectors. I guess that some people are not afraid of any consequences due to their actions. My wife and I stayed up until our cab came for us at 5.30 a.m. What an awful way to spend our last hours of vacation.

Only a day earlier, we had made arrangements to stay in the same apartment next year. Now I am having second thoughts. Since I read The Royal Gazette every day online from my home in New York, I am aware of the increased amount of crime in Bermuda. The tourist getting stabbed on Front Street; the old woman mugged at the ATM; Burrows-Lightbourn Liquor Store being robbed by men with a machete (I frequent that store on my vacations); the 13 break-ins in Paget the week before our vacation.

Why should we come back? Is there going to be less crime next year? Will there be less drug addicts looking for drug money? Will there be more police on duty? Will we come back? I doubt it. And when my friends and associates ask me how was my vacation (they all know how much I brag about Bermuda), what should I tell them? How can I recommend Bermuda to a friend?

RON LACEY

Massapequa, New York