WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao recorded a decline in several types of property crime during 2025, including car thefts and residential burglaries, according to the 2025 State of Law Enforcement report.
The report states that car thefts decreased by 6 percent compared to 2024. Residential and business burglaries also fell sharply.
Figures included in the report show that residential burglaries dropped from 303 cases in 2024 to 157 in 2025. Business burglaries also declined from 138 to 87 cases during the same period.
Despite the decline, the Council cautioned against drawing overly simple conclusions from the numbers. According to the report, there is no single clear explanation for the reductions, which may also be influenced by factors such as prevention efforts, enforcement strategies, or changes in reporting behavior.
The Council also pointed to a shift in criminal patterns related to vehicle crime.
According to the report, criminals increasingly appear to be stripping stolen vehicles for parts rather than stealing entire cars for resale. In response, Curaçao authorities decided to merge investigations into car theft and theft of vehicle parts under a single specialized police team.
The Council described the decision as a logical step that could improve the integrated approach to vehicle-related crime, but emphasized that long-term monitoring will be needed to determine whether the new strategy delivers sustainable results.