Police and politicians need to sit down and solve the out of control burglary and theft on Rarotonga, says a local businessman who is fed up with being a victim of burglaries.

Raro Mart was one of two businesses in Avarua targeted by burglars at the weekend, and for owner Don Carlaw, it’s not the first time he has had to deal with this problem.

It’s a problem he describes as ‘rampant’ on the island and ‘detrimental’ for the tourism-dependant nation.

“The police and politicians need to sit down and work out how to solve this problem.

“Do the police have enough existing power to punish these guys? Are there too many loopholes in the law?” asks Carlaw.

He believes not enough is being done to deter those likely to commit such crimes.

“There just aren’t enough deterrents. And even if these guys do get caught, they get off lightly.”

As a victim of burglary, Carlaw knows only too well that many of the burglary cases on the island go unsolved.

One of those unsolved cases is a burglary on his other business, Rarocars where a safe containing $24000 in cash and cheques was stolen in September. Also taken were a number of high value equipment and other items.

Three months on, police are still investigating this crime.

“In many cases there isn’t enough evidence to put people away,” says Carlaw.

“There just isn’t enough punishment to meet the crime.”

Carlaw is calling for stronger deterrents such as commit one burglary and serve a year in prison, commit another and serve two years.

“These guys that commit these crimes need to know they have a choice: they can commit a crime and go to prison or they can stay out of trouble and stay out of prison.”

Carlaw says that for victims like himself, there are no choices.

When burglars strike, the onus falls on business owners to install security systems to protect their premises – often at considerable cost.

“Why should we all have to install cameras?”

He has a security team patrolling his various businesses and did have a burglar alarm installed at Raro Mart, however it kept triggering false alarms and unfortunately he turned it off the night the store was burgled.

Carlaw says he believes police need more support, especially from politicians and the government.

“It may mean a law change,” says Carlaw.

“Politicians change the law at the drop of a hat – they’ve done it in the past.”

While exasperated at regularly being burgled, Carlaw says the problem, which has plagued the island for decades, has increased over the last three years.

“How many tourists have been cheesed off about being robbed in Rarotonga?

“All it will take is for these people to go back home and kick up a big stink in the media and then our tourism industry will be deeply in the poo!”

Carlaw points out that the tourism sector is the only industry keeping the Cook Islands going while other sectors have to rely on domestic consumption.

He says as depopulation increases it’s the tourist dollars that keep businesses alive. And if those dollars keep getting stolen, fewer tourists will visit the island.

“This is not a new problem,” says Carlaw.

“It has been going on for years and needs to be dealt with now.

“Politicians are talking about mining nodules and making millions in 10 years’ time, but rampant burglary on the island is a problem now, and one which they seem to be sweeping under the carpet.”

Carlaw believes politicians need to meet with police and ask exactly what they need to help deal with the problem.

“Politicians need to ask police if they need more resources or more police officers or what support they need.”

Local businesswoman June Baudinet is also at her wits’ end after her Raina Trading mini supermarket near Raro Mart was also burgled early on Sunday morning.

In Maori, Baudinet also agreed with the sentiments made by Carlaw about the need for politicians to meet with local police to solve the burglary problem.

“Te maringi nei toku roimata – te mamae nei toku pukuatu i teia tu vii’vii,” she says.

“Me teia te tu – kua tipu ia toku kaki, kua tipu ia toku vaevae – te tae nei te toto, te ora nei rae.”

She asks what Prime Minister Henry Puna thinks of this situation.

“E te parai miniti – eaa tikae toou manako no runga i teia au mea rikarika e tu nei ki roto i te ngutuare e ki runga i te au ngai kimi puapinga e te au turotu?

“Ki iakoe e te parai miniti, ki te Aronga Mana e to kotou mata keinanga, e mama ma e papa ma – kia taokotai tatou kia tama i teia repo i runga i to tatou enua.”

Baudinet is unsure what items were stolen from her shop but she says the most sickening thing is the damage not just to her property, but emotionally.

The community can support the work of local police officers by providing information and tips via the confidential 0800 222 00 line between 7am and 4pm or call police headquarters directly on 22499.