What is going on ?? I have never been to STJ...I have heard it was very safe...We have decided to come to STJ because Harbour Island,Bahamas has gotten too scary at night (locals walking down the street smoking pot,etc)

Last month we stayed at Orchid's twin villa right next door. That area is soooooo remote. We felt completely safe there, but obviously took security precautions people should take whether they're home or traveling. We figured someone would have to go thru an awful lot of trouble to try and pull anything off there (it's on a dead-end road with really, no "escape route"). For anyone else familiar with that area, don't you think it seems less like a crime of opportunity and more like maybe these folks were targeted? But who knows. Guess it's just a sad reminder that we all need to be aware no matter where we are.

What aggravates me is that I cannot defend myself. If I'm travelling in an unfamiliar area at home, I'm a good Boy Scout and the Scout motto is "Be Prepared". Unfortunately, the airlines frown on law-abiding citizens such as myself carrying the means to "be prepared" with them onto an airplane. Note to people who are accosted while in your car. You're driving a 1 ton battering ram. Someone gets in front of you with a gun or knife...hammer the gas and run 'em over! And if enough crooks are run over while robbing people, perhaps the word will get out!

StJohnTraveler:

I couldn't have said it better myself. As a resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands, I am aware of the fact that where ever there is a free economy, there will be a segment of the population that insists on taking from what they see as the "haves". The "haves" can be visitors, but more often than not, they are family and neighbors as well.

Ah, modern times! No matter where you go in the world, it will always be an issue.

Honestly, they will lose in the long run since people will start going elsewhere and by the way i am not afraid to run someone over if they have a gun or a knofe trust me.

I am ready to go elsewhere. Hate crimes, protests at restaurants, fires, a murder and now these robberies. The situation just gets worse and there are no arrests. In reference to the Daily News article the police were not even at the substation in Coral Bay.
All of this hits the national news and good by tourism. So very sorry.

I would run him down in a heartbeat. Do the locals think that Geiger's murderer/s is/are connected to these armed robberies? The viciousness of the crimes is very disturbing. Why no arrests? The green SUV shouldn't be too hard to track down on a tiny Island. What about the Island Blues armed robbery. Surely somebody saw what they were driving. Is it another case of the "Charlestown Code of Silence"?

I am so sad to hear more "dangerous" news about my favorite island. I am going there for 10 days over Thanksgiving, and hope things haven't gone crazy since the last time I was there. (August) It seems that most of the problems lately have been away from Cruz Bay. Is that correct? Yes, I know that the fires, protests, were in Cruz Bay, but the recent things: robberies, murders are on the other side of the island. Am I right? I stay at Gallows Point or Lavender Hill and have NEVER had any problems with anything or anyone. I am sad that this is happening, but I think with the alcohol consumption on vacation, you tend to let your gaurd down. Also, this may sound crazy as well, but with the beauty of the island, it just doesn't seem possible to have these things happen in a clean, beautiful place like STJ. That sounded like a fairy tale...sorry. I will also be there for two weeks over Christmas. Anxious to see what is happening..........

I feel the same way cricket. We stay at those 2 places also and have not had a problem. Three Cruz Bay businesses were broken into last week, one retail store called Nest something, the Banana Deck and Stone Terrace. Maybe you will get some insight on what the hell is going on when you are there. Please post and tell us what you hear.

you'll be there over Thanksgiving? Several other people from this message board will be there as well. Me, Megan, Sumerwaters, katy..and who knows who else?

This is just the saddest news - I agree, yeah, would run 'em over, but sure wouldn't want to be in that situation, and, yes, everyone is right, visitors will stop coming - that's one reason we started coming to STJ because we felt safer than we did on STX... and never felt comfortable on STT...but now... Well, we are going to be on STJ December 3rd - we were there in June and noticed no problems whatsoever... these people need to realize there are a lot of other islands ...it only takes another ferry ride to go to the BVI's... I agree with Cricket - it's so amazingly beautiful you can't imagine that something so ugly could happen there. <')))<

Sadly, my feelings mirror "You are right, lose in the short run". The V.I. is a place I spent the better part of my youth and early 20's and I've been going back every year since I moved away some 20+ years ago. Last year alone I visited St. John 4 times.

I can't describe my feelings except to say that the veneer has finally worn through and exposed a side of St. John that has me not only very disappointed, but disenchanted as well. The magic is gone. The pride I felt for the V.I. was sucked out of me starting with the agitators from St. Croix who would do very well to get their own house in order before exacerbating racial tensions in St. John under the pretense of harmony. They acted as if the facts were known in the Frett case and based their actions on hearsay and rumors.

I think maybe my next destination will be the Abacos.

Richard N. Kurpiers

WE WILL BE ON STJ THE TGIVING WEEK ALSO, AND I AM CURIOUS IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY INCIDENTS IN THE PARK CAMPGROUND AREAS. ALSO, ARE THERE ANY AREAS WHERE WE SHOULDN'T GO DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS?

These in today's online VI Daily News:

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=10530674

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=10530675

so sad to hear this...after all the trouble this past year and with US back in april at secret harbour(see past posts about 'muggings')
i thought by now things had calmed down
we will be there in december now i have to be nervous again
i am hoping lighning will stay away from us this time

how has st thomas been lately?

>- June 5 - A woman reported she was sexually assaulted as she >walked along Lind Point Trail. She told police a man >grabbed .her .from behind and forced her to perform a sex act on >him.

>- July 6 - A Coral Bay businesswoman reported she was beaten, >bound and robbed in her home. She told police two men slipped >into her home, beat her, wrapped her head in tape and bound her >hands and feet. She said that although they threatened to rape >and kill her, her assailants left after taking money from the >home.

I assume Mario Moorehead and his band of "We The People For Justice" were not made aware of these assaults? Or do they seek justice only for some, and turn a blind eye to everyone else?

I ask you Mr. Moorehead and those that follow his lead, where's the outrage for these two people who, like Mrs. Frett claims, were bound, beaten, and sexually assaulted? Where and what time is your next sit-in to take place so that I might join with you in seeking not only justice for the select few you've chosen to represent, but for everyone who is a victim of violent crime.

Richard N. Kurpiers