WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao experienced a sharp increase in property-related crime in 2024, according to the latest annual report from the Council for Law Enforcement. The number of car thefts, home burglaries, and business break-ins all rose significantly compared to the previous year, prompting the Council to urge a more effective response. 

Car thefts jumped by more than 30 percent, with 218 reported cases in 2024, up from 166 in 2023. Home burglaries rose by nearly 38 percent, from 95 to 131 reported incidents. Business break-ins increased by 20 percent, from 115 to 138 cases. 

Warnings Ignored 

The Council noted that these increases occurred despite previous recommendations aimed at addressing this type of crime. A 2020 report on auto theft included ten specific recommendations, but the implementation and follow-up have been deemed insufficient. 

The report also highlights ongoing concerns over traffic safety. Although traffic incidents increased, the number of fines issued dropped by nearly 25 percent. Meanwhile, the number of stolen firearms seized by authorities rose by more than 50 percent compared to 2023. 

Positive Developments 

Amid the troubling trends, there were some encouraging signs. The number of armed robberies (atrako’s) decreased by nearly 26 percent in 2024. Additionally, the number of homicide victims dropped to seven, marking the lowest figure since 2021. 

Despite these positive outcomes, the Council emphasizes the continued need for a robust, coordinated approach to tackling crime. The report calls for improved information sharing, faster implementation of recommendations, and an increase in personnel across the justice and law enforcement chain. 

The findings place renewed pressure on Curaçao’s authorities to address both the growing rates of property crime and the operational gaps that allow these issues to persist.