Tragic event Carvoeiro square

[EMM]

I am not hiding my head in the sand but I will not jump to any conclusion until I see some reliable statistics not just hearsay ( apart from those who are victims ).

There are a few thousand properties in the CVO area, , is the % of breakins any greater here than in any other resorts ?
Is it higher than in past years ?

I do not claim to know, Does any one ??????

The only official figures I am aware of are those which said that reported crime was less in the summer of 2010 than 2009.

[pato]

I am not hiding my head in the sand but I will not jump to any conclusion until I see some reliable statistics not just hearsay ( apart from those who are victims ).

There are a few thousand properties in the CVO area, , is the % of breakins any greater here than in any other resorts ?
Is it higher than in past years ?

I do not claim to know, Does any one ??????

The only official figures I am aware of are those which said that reported crime was less in the summer of 2010 than 2009.

My god! how bad was 2009 then?

[Matryx]

Whatever the stats, it is patently obvious that we have a pretty significant problem. I do agree that modern security systems help, but ultimately, the GNR have to respond. These crimainals are well known, but seem to be able to act with complete impunity. Perhaps the tragic events that recently took place might enocurage the correct levels of detection and conviction, who knows, but things cannot stay as they are?

[shanagarry]

I think there is a degree of confusion here - we are putting petty criminals (opportunist burglars) in the same category as a person who has taken somebody's life (killer). I believe it to be manslaughter. There may be a thin dividing line between a burglar being cornered and taking 'appropriate' action to get away and an opportunist thief - but there is a danger here that the impression being created suggests the streets are crawling with murderers and burglars.

The manslaughter of that unfortunate person last week should not be construed as anything other than a product of the times we live in (road rage) and Cvo is just catching up (I'm not condoning it). Our little piece of paradise attracts the good and the bad - it's what happens when everybody wants a piece of our idyl - look at Albufeira (you might find it hard to believe but many years ago it was a nice place).

The burglaries are symptomatic of difficult times (that doesn't make them right) but they can be addressed - if people take concerted action to counter it.

So cut out this 'doom and gloom' description of our village - it's counter productive

[pickwick]

Hi

First of all let us remember the family of the victim and pause for a moment to think of their loss.

I spent the last six months in Glasgow and violent crime there has become a real issue with stabbings and shootings a regular occurance. The tradgedy of the death of a young man here last week could have happened anywhere in the Western (civilised??) society we live in. This event and the petty burgularies are two completely different issues and should not be considered as related even if the guilty parties are possibly engaged in both crimes. Manslaughter/murder is in a different league to house breaking.

The whole issue of crime though is worthy of debate. There have been several posts here highlighting the breaking in to of cars at Canerios Beach (Restaurant Rei das Praias) and today I took friends there for lunch (which was excellent and is one of ther best restaurants around) but on departure we saw a hire car (Auto Jardim) with the rear window smashed and clearly this happened in situ as the glass was on the ground. The restaurant has as its moto "invest in quality and guarantee the future" but if the car park is not safe then all they have done to make it one of the best beach restaurants in the Algarve will be in vain and trade will suffer. This car park is not alone - the same situation exists at all the beaches and is much worse in the summer with hooligans making a living out of causing misery for tourists and residents alike.

I have in the past avoided going there at night in my own car because it has this reputation. I will not ever leave my car there again until there is security provided and will tell Luis so personally. A security guard would cost less than €1000 a month and that is significantly less than €1 per cover. If the restaurant will not provide security then there is a business there for a professional to provide security and charge for parking. No doubt the red tape associated with doing so would be daunting but the problem will not go away unless action is taken by someone and we need to start demanding action on security and I would be interested to hear views from others about what can be done before the whole area gets a reputation as a no go area??

Pickwick

[Michael Crane]

I agree about (hire)car crime. This Christmas I felt a lot better parking on Roy's driveway with the (soon to be) electric gates tightly closed. We drove all over the Algarve and found many spots where we fancied leaving the car and going off exploring but didn't do so because we didn't know what would happen to the car. Even though there is absolutely nothing ever left inside it, there will always be some numpty who'll break in regardless.

Mind you, I did feel very secure at 'home'. Every downstairs window was barred, and each patio door had external blinds and internal shutters. The only way to break in would to angle grind your way in and then force open the door and then the shutters. I reckon that the racket caused would wake even Sharen.

I have only stayed in two areas: ADM and Boavista, and they are very different areas. ADM is predominately owner-rental whereas Boavista is predominately owner-occupied. Boavista could quite easily support some sort of Neighbourhood Watch, whereas ADM could not. I do agree that on ADM the fear of crime is much greater and we were always super-vigilant when it came to security. We never felt entirely safe and such feelings do affect the holiday spirit. What made it worse for us was that the garden and driveway was often used as a shortcut by people who couldn't be bothered to walk around the corner on the footpath. It was always stressful hearing footsteps on the gravel driveway and muted voices - day or night.

As a non-resident, rental holiday-maker I do sympathise with the likes of pato who are obliged to relate to his clients all the problems associated with security, it can be very off-putting and there must be a tendency for owners to mention them only in passing and not in detail.

I think the only way forward for the ADMs of the Algarve is private security. Foot patrols are a deterrent (coupled with a good security alarm and fittings) and would likely go a long way to reducing crime.

[bruce]

Whilst I do not believe the tragedy in the square is related to crime on property/cars (although the perpetrators could well be part of the criminals operating in the area) reading about all the measures owners are taking to prevent break-ins etc. is quite worrying. It certainly seems that crime is very high for so much concern to be shown to the extent of contemplating using security patrols.
I would not live in an area in the UK where I felt my home/car was at such a high risk - it is certainly giving me food for thought!
No disrespect to any owners who take these measures to provide security for guests but it is a little unnerving when you are provided with a security dos and don'ts list in the villa, you are immediately on 'burglar alert'

[fmm]

It may not be as bad as everyone is making out. I know for sure that I am not saying anything positive for fear of encouraging some bad luck!!!!

[Jaylay]

We were offered a property 16 years ago on ADM but had heard about the numerous security problems there so never bought it even though the price was fantastic. In those days we were surprised to see how many houses in that area had security alarms, to us that was a warning sign of possible trouble.Today is no different to then, just the people telling the stories.

The problem there will not change while there are so few residents, Tourists will always be the first targets for robberies, they carry cash, small electrical /electronic items etc and are relaxed in their attitute regarding security. Dump the cases in, open the windows,sit around the pool drinking, laughing loudly and having fun, they are on holiday ( not the same planet as at home, ) The same attitude applies when it comes to walking in the road and driving without seats belts, kids in the front car seats( sometimes even driving sitting on dads lap) and even standing up waving through the sunroof.

[pato]

I think there is a degree of confusion here - we are putting petty criminals (opportunist burglars) in the same category as a person who has taken somebody's life (killer). I believe it to be manslaughter. There may be a thin dividing line between a burglar being cornered and taking 'appropriate' action to get away and an opportunist thief - but there is a danger here that the impression being created suggests the streets are crawling with murderers and burglars.

The manslaughter of that unfortunate person last week should not be construed as anything other than a product of the times we live in (road rage) and Cvo is just catching up (I'm not condoning it). Our little piece of paradise attracts the good and the bad - it's what happens when everybody wants a piece of our idyl - look at Albufeira (you might find it hard to believe but many years ago it was a nice place).

The burglaries are symptomatic of difficult times (that doesn't make them right) but they can be addressed - if people take concerted action to counter it.

So cut out this 'doom and gloom' description of our village - it's counter productive

Burgulary is an invasion of privacy, I've been "done" at home on three or four occasions, one intrusion in particular changed my life style for about four years, my late wife was so traumatised she would not stay on her own
in the house, it affected her sleep and my freedom. I've read of cases where the criminal has been apprehended and the judge has stated "well he only took a television" Her took more than that, believe you me, it's a serious matter.

[shanagarry]

Pato

I apologise if my comment appeared to trivialise burglary - it was not intended to. I was making the comparison between a killing and a burglary - suggesting that there is no comparison.

We too have been burgled here many years ago - and I admit - it scared me to think that somebody had the temerity to illegally enter our property and steal our property. However, we could have prevented it happening had we closed all the shutters. How many other burglaries could have been prevented if the victims had taken all the precautions available to them? Hindsight is a wonderful attribute!

Following that event, Like you, changed my half-hearted approach to security and am paranoid about closing doors, shutters and setting alarms. The parallel topic on this forum dealing with the many burglaries in AdM, VdM and Monte Servo is addressing the burglary issue - so let's not duplicate that important topic.

I further support your comment regarding the light-handed way the authorities deal with the offenders they manage to apprehend - be it here or in the UK. Given that this topic is referring to the unfortunate taking of a young life in The Square - based on a very modern phenomena - road rage - I'm not sure how the prevention of such events can be policed - does anybody

[Matryx]

I don't believe that anyone who has posted on this subject has tried to compare burglary with the tragic loss of life. However, crime has parallels, as there are always victims. We have all drifted into the subject of burglary on this thread because there is an obvious level of concern surrounding crime in the village. I don't think anybody has tried to deflect attention, or consideration, away from terrible incident which sadly resulted in a loss of life, but I do think it is understandable that we have again opened up the subject of local crime.

[pato]

Two interesting points in our fight for improved security, (1) The security on Rocha Brava could be worth investigations for cost. (2) Copy all the posts regarding security on this General Topic and on The Owners forum and forward them to the authorities. Just two simple tasks for starters, least we'll get the ball rolling.

[dennisg]

Two interesting points in our fight for improved security, (1) The security on Rocha Brava could be worth investigations for cost. (2) Copy all the posts regarding security on this General Topic and on The Owners forum and forward them to the authorities. Just two simple tasks for starters, least we'll get the ball rolling.

Total security costs for Rocha Brava in last published accounts (2009) were 79,000 euros. There have been occasional break-ins but as far as I know they are quite rare.