We have stayed at Roebuck Bay Caravan park in W.A and have been robbed which is a regular avent in this park according to Police. They stated that nearly every second robbery call is about this park. We had been told by other caravaners to make sure we locked up our valuables, and put everthing away at night, this we did BUT what they didn't say was that these little SHI-S will rob you even if your in the van asleep, they had unlocked the door and picked up jewelery and cash left in a bag IN THE VAN while we were asleep. The management have been told in the past that they need to upgade their security and supply better lighting, fences etc by the police but they have chosen not to and you can't tell me it's because they can't afford it. So just avoid this park so you don't have to go through what we are at the moment.
Sad news .. sorry to hear about your misfortune. Don't let the low life spoil the rest of your trip.
Our precautions ..
A night latch fitted to the door (see pic) .. cost around $12 at bunnings. It is latched every time we leave the van & at night. Also use it when traveling as an extra precaution against the door coming open.
I put a bar across the door too. Fits into the door handle & is held in place by the door curtain.
SWMBO insists that all windows are closed & locked whenever we leave the van & at night. We open the roof hatches & put on a couple of fans. One blows directly onto the bed. In extreme heat we use the Air Con. & sometimes cool the van down before going to bed.
I have several secret places for hiding all electrical items like cameras, computers as well as phones, handbags & wallets. The latter three are in spots that are easy for us to access (which means that we use them every time we enter the van) but unlikely to be found by a casual thief. I think it very unlikely that even a detailed search would find the hides for the more valuable stuff.
Of course we have stainless steel ropes for locking our Engel, tables & chairs etc. as well as a chain for my kayaks & bike.
A bit of a pity that we need to go to all this trouble, but that's the society that we have created & have to live in.
Edit .. I also have a large waddy & powerful (blinding) 8 cell Magi-lite torch beside the bed.
-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 15th of June 2015 06:04:42 PM
When we went to Broome last year, we stayed at the Broome Gateway CP - a bit different than most caravan parks. The entrance is down a driveway, past what looks like old abandoned orchards, they have no power there, their own things are powered on solar energy, they have plenty of water, and the amenities block consists of individual units with toilet, shower, basin and plenty of room inside.
You can use your own solar, or generators between 8am and 8pm. Cheapest in the area we found. They welcome dogs, even have a leash free area. Good clothes washing facility.
Because it is off the road, there aren't people "walking through" - to get into the park, you go past the office. Safe feeling about the place, very friendly managers and staff.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Firstly .. Trip Advisor ... here is a link to the site you mentioned ... http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g255102-d1229826-Reviews-or10-Roebuck_Bay_Caravan_Park-Broome_Western_Australia.html#REVIEWS
There is also Badgers Caravan Park reviews which is a good place ... http://acpr.myparklist.com/
We use a security chain on the inside of the door at night and then hang a clip on fishing bell on the chain to wake us if any one tries to open the door. Landy
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Just may be the issue is that Broome Caravan parks do not allow dogs. I would bet that if there were a few dogs around in vans the low lifers that rob you in that CP they would not go any where near the place. Even the smallest dog is likely to smell, hear and bark if the low lifers try to sneak about that place at night.
I know our dog would go off big time if anyone sneaked around our van in the night. They wouldn't get near the door handle.
Perhaps the Broome parks should rethink their pets policy.
I wonder how many vans get robbed at night at the overflow parks in Broome where vans must have a dog to be able to stay.
We will be in Broome in a few weeks time our only option is to stay is Gateway CP about 50 kms out of Broome or one of the overflow parks, for us that's OK the CP's there are not that good anyway!
the police have asked the Park to put in fences and extra security measures but like they said in frustration they can't make them. Maybe what needs to happen is the courts get a bit tougher on them and not just give them a slap on the wrist.
Just may be the issue is that Broome Caravan parks do not allow dogs. I would bet that if there were a few dogs around in vans the low lifers that rob you in that CP they would not go any where near the place. Even the smallest dog is likely to smell, hear and bark if the low lifers try to sneak about that place at night. I know our dog would go off big time if anyone sneaked around our van in the night. They wouldn't get near the door handle. Perhaps the Broome parks should rethink their pets policy. I wonder how many vans get robbed at night at the overflow parks in Broome where vans must have a dog to be able to stay. We will be in Broome in a few weeks time our only option is to stay is Gateway CP about 50 kms out of Broome or one of the overflow parks, for us that's OK the CP's there are not that good anyway!
The Gateway CP is only about 20k out of town - very quiet and dogs are most welcome.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
hi all The last time we stayed in a c/p was in 1970 and a great park it was, nouriel caravan park albury . We lived in a 22 f caravan for 12 months wih 2 small children. My husband help build the commission housing, now called public housing We were backed onto the river,3 meters away, the only problem was i had to have eyes in the back of my head, it was a constant worry Anyway we had barque, eskys, kid toys, etc left out in the open, other people had bikes and camping equipment laying around . hardly ever locked our car WE NEVER HAD A PAD LOCK How society has changed
-- Edited by liz795 on Tuesday 16th of June 2015 01:21:26 PM
The same sh! t was going on when we were there a few weeks back. One person had climbed in through a window while the owners were having happy hour with friends a sitting under their awning. The owner entered the van to find the peice of sh! t sitting on the bed going through the draws a escaped back out the same window. There is a section of this park allocated for back packers a is believed a lot of the problem is them as well.
We survived ok leaving nothing to chance. Lock all windows as they reach in through the screens.
JC.
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I agree the Gateway is more like 20 kms from Broome. But whether a park is about 50 kms or 20kms out of Broome is misses my point.
The point I was trying to make; perhaps allowing dogs to stay in CP's greatly reduces the possibility of theft and particularly van break- ins at night. I believe it does.
Having been to Broome a few times before An knowing the trouble with a section of the community I am very happy to be able to stay in a dog friendly CP such as Gateway Broome or the overflow sites because I believe they are safer than the General CP's especially in Broome which do not allow dogs. That dogs are a good deterrent to break-ins and a great burglar alarm.
I was told by a local a month or two ago that roebuck bay caravan park is owned by the mayor of broome.
Not only a conflict of interest but possibly also explains the head in the sand attitude
