Volunteers Search For Natalee Holloway

 

Hats off to the “Volunteers” who made the effort to search for the missing teen, Natalee Holloway.

From the AP:

ORANJESTAD, Aruba – About 700 volunteers joined police, soldiers and FBI agents on Monday, combing scrubland and beaches on Aruba’s southeastern tip in an unprecedented search for an Alabama teenager who vanished a week ago on a trip to the Dutch Caribbean island.

Aruba’s government let 4,000 civil servants off work early at 2 p.m. to hunt for Natalee Holloway, 18, of Mountain Brook, Ala. The expanded search began a day after police charged two men in her disappearance.

Kenneth Angela and three co-workers from Aruba’s lottery company were among the hundreds who boarded 10 buses in the community of Santa Cruz, about six miles from the capital, Oranjestad, to be taken to the search site.

“It’s the first time Aruba has done such a big search,” said Angela, a 31-year-old lottery supervisor. “We want to keep Aruba’s name good. That’s why we’re here, to help find Natalee.”

The initial idea for the search called for an islandwide effort, but later changed focus to the southeastern area of Seroe Colorado and part of San Nicolas, police commander Judy Hassell said. San Nicolas is where authorities arrested the two men who were charged in the case.

Hassell said Aruba’s 74 square miles, slightly larger than Washington, D.C., made a full search of the island impractical. “We’re going to do as much as we can,” he said.

One of several search parties scoured barren terrain spotted with sequoia cactus, prickly pear and sea grass in view of Valero oil refinery. A helicopter hovered overhead. Other groups searched abandoned houses, remote roads and bushes. Lizards skittered across their paths.

Some of the volunteers were tourists, including Bill and Sarah Wise, both 22, of Cleveland. “We couldn’t leave without trying to help a fellow American,” Bill Wise said.

Sarah Wise said the case touched her because she and Holloway are about the same age. “It could be me,” she said.

Hassell said she asked the Justice Ministry for permission to conduct another big search Tuesday but had not yet received permission.

The coast guard said Aruba’s shoreline already had been searched on foot, by boat and helicopter, but the new search was more thorough.

Holloway’s disappearance has shaken the sense of security many of Aruba’s 97,000 people took for granted. Only one murder and six rapes were recorded last year. So far this year, there have been two murders and three rapes on the island, where the average annual income is a comfortable $22,000.

I will just make one comment that struck me a little with the number of volunteers. Aruba, this is a search for a missing girl and if you want to make the comments that its a sake island and tourism should not be affected than you best show you care more than 18% turnout for a search. The mission is to find Natalee Holloway; however, the Aruban government let people off work to help aid in the search. 700 out of 4000 people is not all that acceptable in my eyes.

If anyone on Aruba has better numbers than what AP is reporting please tell me. But I would really like to know where the other 3300 + Arubans were seeing that some of the volunteers were tourists?

Update:
Graphic of teen’s disappearance in Aruba

Posted June 6, 2005 by
Natalee Holloway | 21 comments


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  • Comments

    21 Responses to “Volunteers Search For Natalee Holloway”

    1. Mona on June 6th, 2005 7:52 pm

      Just came back from searching the north shore of Aruba with some colleagues and friends… rented ATV’s so we could cross the rough terrain here in beautiful Aruba. I think it sounds kind of harsh if you say that not many people are putting in an effort to find Natalee. Every single one of us is concerned about her, and all agree that it is a weird case. But where do you start to look?
      Not all the people who took the time and effort to go look for her, were registered or even noticed in their search….
      Aruba is a very safe island and many people will agree with that…How many teens are missing in the States daily? Or in Europe? Where they only look for a couple of days and then give up?I would like to know where else they would officially call an afternoon off for workers to go look for a missing person…
      If there’s a kidnapping or a missing person in your town, do you go out, in the rain? Thunder? lightning? to go look for that person? or do you think: yes, it is a shame, I hope they find her….without even trying to help?
      We all want to find her, and a negative comment like yours definately is not motivating to even go and try again….But I won’t give up, and I know all of us will keep searching….no matter what people, who don’t even know what we’re going thru here, say…

    2. Red on June 6th, 2005 8:30 pm

      Mona,
      .
      Thank you your effort. I have done such things. I do make an effort to help other. I wish more people took the time to have your attitude in helping out. That type of selfless attitude in helping others that you don’t even know is the sign of true character. A population of 72K is like a small town/city in the US and yes people would go out and look for a missing person. Look what just happened in Duluth, GA with the run away bride. The Aruba government did not give workers the day off for the hell of it. The gave it off to make a statement.

      I have held back on many a comment because I want to see what happens with everything. I hope for the best and pray for a positive outcome.

      However, from a PR standpoint on the Aruba side and trust me there has not been a press clipping or reference at a conference that has not mentioned that Aruba is a safe island. If you wish to win the PR battle and I am sure Aruba does you better win the battle of perception.

      I appreciate the fact that you went out and looked for Natalee. You are are genuine nice and respectful person. Thank you for your help in this matter. However, don’t tell me you did not think that more should have attended.

    3. deepthroat2 on June 7th, 2005 9:07 am

      oh how naive…
      Initial reports had her kidnapped and shipped to Venezuala…hmmm. Try this – do a search for satellite photos of aruba or venezula or columbia. Pretty high res images huh?
      On mapquest, I can find my house and tell which vehicles are parked in the driveway – much much higher definition.
      Gee – what’s the chances of a military satellite being over aruba/venezuala/columbia on the night in question between 2am and 5am? Since they are in polar orbits, they traverse the entire globe every 90 minutes – chances pretty good? yup.
      Question – why is the FBI and the Aruban authorities so darned convinced that Natalee is still on Aruba?
      Suggestion – USA has infrared satellite images that show a boat headed to Venz/Columbia between the hours of 2am and 5am on the night in question.
      Thought – if they have the info, why not show it? Next thought – because it could jeopardize ongoing DEA/CIA operations in Columbia/Venezuala.
      Resulting thought – CIA/FBI deleted boat from image and showed image to parents(?)/local authorities/local ground FBI agents so they would focus all of their attention on Aruba and stay away from Venezuala and Columbia.

    4. Joanna on June 11th, 2005 2:46 pm

      Until we hear more from statements by the last 3 to be arrested, I think we should hold off on “what happened”. I am however perplexed as to the previous posters notations. Yes, indeed, I am sure the USA has some kind of satelite that could pinpoint activities. Whether they have activities from that particular night?….I don’t know.
      Refrring to another mysterious vanishing act….AMY? Even after a Petty Officer informed her parents that he met her in a place of ill-repute and she asked for help….the US authorities did not send anyone to investigate. Why is this? Even as someone with no access to that can of info…I would think that is would be very easy for the US to send people in under cover to find her, or at least see if she is still there.
      This brings me to one conclusion, “it will be done for some, but for all”
      As to the Aruban lady who says that we assume people did not turn out for the search. Your island depended on ALL to do that, and that is why you were given the day off work. It was not given off to clean the house or sleep in or go and visit with friends. IT WAS TO SEARCH. And it is obvious that they did not! So….please do not reprimand posters who did search for saying what is true.
      The islands have always had young men whop preyed on visiting single women. It has always been like that and most probably always will be like that. Parents are stupid to allow their single daughters to visit the islands. I am not saying that all fault lies with the young men. The women should also remember their upbringing, whih alas goes astray once in the islands.

    5. Penny on June 13th, 2005 12:59 pm

      I am a potential tourist. I am one of those people you are trying to protect by trying to make us think that nothing violent happened to this girl named Natalie. In doing this you obviously do not understand Americans. We are suspicious by nature. We have experienced being manipulated. We know your country is manipulating us to try to make us think your country is safe.

      The funny thing is we would think your country is safer if you could quickly prove what happened to the missing girl and would deal with the offenders harshly and properly. That is what makes Americans feel safe in a country, not pretending nothing happened. If you want tourism to flourish in your country you will find out what happened. You will not cover it up. You will prosecute the crime. You will then reap the benefits.

      If you don’t handle it this way you will reap the consequences. Americans will feel you are soft on crime. They will be afraid to come because they know if anything happens you won’t do anything about it. They will know they are not safe in your country.

      These boys know what happened. These boys did something to this girl. All Americans feel strongly about that. Now its your time to do something. Prove to us crime is not allowed there. Prove to us we are safe when we come because criminals are dealt with.

    6. Kristin on June 13th, 2005 4:34 pm

      my thoughts and prayers are with Natalee and her family. It seems obvious now that one, or all, of the 3 young men being held were responsible in the dissapearance of Natalee. The inconsistencies of their story point to the fact that either Van Der Sloot, the 2 brothers, or all 3 hurt her. Being that they are all young men, I would think all 3 are involved. Aruban officials better get answers, fast. Or american toursim will stop to this island. There are many other islands we can visit. My husband and I have a wedding to attend in December in Aruba and quite honestly right now do not want to give any money to the island. UNLESS, the crime is dealt with as it should be. The three boys need to be prosecuted.

    7. Kristin on June 13th, 2005 4:39 pm

      BOYCOTT ARUBA!

    8. renee on June 16th, 2005 8:59 am

      has anyone searced the boys car that she left with the night that she disappeared?
      They have searched vendersloot house but what about the other two–the brothers. i don’t see anywhere in the news where thae have searched their personal property.

    9. Johnnie Rainwater on June 16th, 2005 1:11 pm

      I certainly will not be going to Aruba any time soon and will certainly let my friends
      know they shouldn’t go either – Aruba is not as safe as the islanders think it is. The
      three boys should be questioned thoroughly and if they are guilty of harming Natalee,
      they should be dealt with and punished to the full extent of their law. Van Der Sloot
      was supossedly the last one to see her and he knows what happened for sure. He probably sold her to the White Slave Traders and no telling where she is by now if that
      is what happened. Then again, if her body was dumped in the ocean, the sea will tell
      because it gives up what’s not suppose to be in their. I agree with Kristin: BOYCOTT ARUBA!
      JR

    10. Kim on June 20th, 2005 10:43 pm

      How stupid it is to Boycott Aruba. Should we boycott Florida because of the missing or killed girls (children from their own home) there? Or how about Utah? Or Maryand? Or Texas? Or California? ETC….. That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I pray for Natalee and her family. My personal opinion is that she is not on that island anymore. Unfortunately we are dealing with a government that is not used to dealing with the horrific things we deal with in the US every day.

    11. BOBBI J on June 21st, 2005 12:00 am

      I AGREE WITH THE FACT THAT THINGS LIKE THIS DO HAPPEN EVERYWHERE! EVEN ARUBA SO WHY BOYCOTT, LIKE IT WONT HAPPEN ANYWHERE ELSE!! I DO HOWEVER THINK THAT THEIR SEARCH SHOULD BE MORE WIDESPREAD, BUT ITS HARD WHEN U DONT KNOW THE FACTS OR WHERE TO START! THOSE 3 BOYS KNOW SOMETHING, ITS ALL JUST A MATTER OF TIME AND THEIR GUILT WILL GET TO THEM ! LETS HOPE SOONER THAN LATER! MY HEART GOES OUT TO NATALEE’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS! IT’S SO UNFORTUNATE THAT THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN. MY MAJOR QUESTION IS WHERE THE HELL WERE ALL OF HER FELLOW CLASSMATES THAT WERE WITH HER WHEN SHE LEFT WITH THESE GUYS????

    12. TL C on June 22nd, 2005 4:55 pm

      Valero Petroleum Refinery- the property changed ownership recently from El Paso Energy to Valero. There may be some “new” workers, or suspects on the island that they should do background checks on. Also, the oil industry execs do some pretty wild partying with all that newfounfd cash ($60.00/barrel oil) , maybe theyhad put the word out to the locals that they would pay top dollar for a blonde?

    13. Rimalu on June 27th, 2005 9:44 am

      I would expect Aruba to be a 1,000 times safer than the US, where people blow each other’s brains out for a parking space on a daily basis. And let’s not victimize the US. The real victim is Natalee, and it’s just a coincidence that she comes from the US. I know this becomes more and more unlikely with each day passing by, but let’s keep on hoping she’s going to be fine somehow. And let’s wait with judging and boycotting until the facts are on the table, shall we?

    14. Elizabeth on July 28th, 2005 11:14 am

      My heart goes out to the family of Natalee and all families that have lost love ones to violent crimes. The truth of the matter is that no matter where we go or how hard we try to protect our children and families, ourselves as well, there is always someone out there committing crimes.
      Yes, Aruba needs to be hardline on the people that committed this crime, but Natalees’ body hasn’t been found yet and there is no proof yet that these boys committed the crime. As in this country, you are innocent until proven guilty, so it should be in Aruba and, like Scott Peterson, if this boy was not being held in a prison, he may have led the police to her body and this case could be going to trial instead of searches still being conducted.

    15. Amy Dear on July 29th, 2005 4:11 pm

      I’m usually right about these things and this time it appears I would be right again.
      I said in a previous post, they needed to start digging because those boys aren’t stupid enough to just toss her body in the water and hope she stays under. Aruba is a little island with lot’s of hiding places. I saw on the news last night a witness came forth and said they would find keys and blankets/towels in the garbage dump?
      They found them and apparantly that’s where her body is at. In a frikkin garbage dump like some piece of trash. Boys like that though treat walking breathing girls like garbage anyway. Remember that old saying “fukc em and chuck em” ?? I guess this time they weren’t hypothetically speaking…
      I’m just so angry with this case, how it was handled, and the cheeky indian boys who’s mother is covering their butts. I’m just so mad I could bite myself.

    16. Laraine Miles on August 5th, 2005 1:39 pm

      Until Natalee’s body is found, I will continue to believe that she is alive and that she
      was turned over to someone who took her away from Aruba (or who may have her as a prisoner, in his house or apartment). But even if she is not found alive, there is still the question of why she disappeared which cannot be explained as a simple date rape or gang rape. The answer lies in Joran’s “Frankenstein” haircut (bangs are separated into parts, like the monster, in movies). Joran pictures himself as a hero – an illusion enhanced by his extraordinary height and the fact that he lived most or all of his life on a remote island which is near South America. He sees himself as a sort of folk hero who champions the Indians’ cause and wants to lead them into the modern age of prosperity by sparking off a controversy centered around “loose” American females. l

    17. Dan on August 5th, 2005 10:56 pm

      For those of you disagreeing with the boycott using the example of why we wouldn’t boycott Florida if we had a similar situation there I say this: No police authority has evre botched an investigation continuously the way we have seen on that island. Furthermore we have seen a direct and unforgivable snub on the part of father Van Der Sloot and the officials stood by him as one of the good ole boys thinking that this will probably blow over. Guess what ……..it will not go away until we say it will go away andd you better prove yourself now or God help you little island. Its back to a third world economy. Whoops.

    18. Mariusz on August 7th, 2005 1:43 am

      The Aruban citizens protesting that their country is being portrayed in a bad light are pathetic loosers. They are willing to take the attention away from a horrible crime and appoint themselves as the true victims. Instead they should take responsibility for what happened in their back yard and do everything possible to bring justice for the real victim, Natalee. Only when the Arubans make an effort to do something nobler than keeping their pockets stuffed with American money, will they deserve our friendship and patronage.

    19. Jan Pollock on August 10th, 2005 1:42 pm

      The last I heard anything about digging in the garbage dump for Natalee, was when the permit to do so ran out on Friday. Why was it not renewed? The dogs had found a hit in one of the digs. Just another Arubian BS decision, in order to NOT FIND ANYTHING ABOUT NATALEE. I am so sick of them, I could throw up.

      Now we hear about a young man vanishing in 1999 and the “wonderful” police would not even go to the hotel and take a report of the “incident”. And, of course, they did not bother to call the next of kin, which any decent human being would do. No, the family had to call the hotel to inquire about his “still being there” and was told….”the police didn’t call you? He has been missing…etc.” NO POLICE; NO REPORT; NO INTEREST. JUST AN ‘OL AMERICAN, RIGHT? Except for Jossie and his family, whatever happens to them, they deserve. That family is concerned and stand-up people.

      Jan Pollo9ck
      Houston, Texas USA

    20. Amy Lawler on August 19th, 2005 12:28 am

      I BELIEVE THAT THESE MEN WERE SMART EVEN AFTER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE! I ALSO BELIEVE THAT NATALEE IS THERE WAITING ON HER MOTHER TO FIND HER. THIS WHOLE ORDEAL SADDENS MY HEART. 18 YEARS OLD OR NOT I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT MY DAUGHTER WOULD NOT BE GOING TO ARUBA WITH JUST FRIENDS!

    21. Marguerite on August 22nd, 2005 1:11 pm

      Never in my life thusfar have I witnessed such a corrupt situation. The obvious coverup of the terrible loss of a young girl destined to contribute so much to our society. The loving, loyal family searching for their loved one with minimal if any help from Aruba. The three fellows know where she is and need to have their feet to the fire. A terrible unchristian act , and if punishment is not forthcoming you’ll be hearing of more of this behavior from them in the future. Reverance for life is not of interest to the three criminals. Now is the hour!!!!

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