OK. this is the deal, as I see it. Other folks may have different opinions.
1) Crime is not "worse".
2) Rarely are tourist victims of violent crime. Large number of hotel guests & daily cruisers visit with out incident.
3) the VI's homicide rate is about 100x higher than the USA as a whole.
4) You should be aware of your surroundings. If something "feels wrong" then get out of the situation, pronto.
5) Know where you're going and how to get there.
6) Stay away from statically high crime areas.
7) Frequent night spots with secure parking (i.e. private lot, security guard, lots of people)
8) Do not flash cash. Don't wear expensive jewelry. Don't carry expensive electronics.
9) Most of the crime against tourists is "profit oriented".
11) don't bring anything of value to beach or leave it in your car.
12) Lock-up your rental room.
10) Ask your hotel / host about areas and behaviors to avoid. Demand straight answers.
13) the VI is a destination best enjoyed with a minimum of encumbrances.
14) Chose your accmodations wisely. Most (I can't think of one that doesn't) condo / hotel resorts have on site security.

My primary suggestion would be to only visit Coral World area during the day as that area feels unsafe to me. Blu4u gave good advice. We have never been a victim of crime when visiting St. Thomas. Just use common sense.

I would agree with Abbie. I am not trying to scare anyone, but we were visiting a relative in 2009 and witnessed an incident with a few locals at one of the food stands at the beach at Coki Beach. One of the men shot in the chest. We decided to leave the beach. We found we prefered the Saphire or Megans area. Crime can happen anywhere, just be aware of your surroundings.

Abbie wrote:
My primary suggestion would be to only visit Coral World area during the day as that area feels unsafe to me. Blu4u gave good advice. We have never been a victim of crime when visiting St. Thomas. Just use common sense.

To clarify and expand: Coral World is very safe. The parking lot is secure and guarded. Inside the facility is VERY safe and clean and very very well maintained. The area suronding coral word (like cokki beach) is not patrolled or maintained. Cokki Beach is not excatcly "family friendly" (if you catch my drift). The village of Smith bay is not the nicest area on the island. Go to coral world for a few hours, then enjoy the beach at sapphire, lindquist (aka smith bay park) or megans.

Sounds as though you haven't been to Coki much, particularly since it underwent a major clean-up. It IS regularly patrolled and it IS well maintained and it has ALWAYS been a "family friendly" beach. A couple of isolated criminal incidents there doesn't make it generally unsafe no more than a couple of isolated muggings on Main Street in broad daylight make that an area to avoid.

After the tragic incident in 2010, the government fast tracked the Cokki Beach bathroom renovations. The new restrooms are handicap accessible--which is great. Saddly, the government's promises to rid the beach area of "barkers" (aggressive/intoxicated panhandlers) and illegal drug dealing remains unfulfilled. Some people can overlook this sketchy activity. I, personally, don't like the vibe at Cokki and prefer to frequent STT Tomas' many other lovely and safe beaches. Different strokes for different folks.

We've been to Coki many times and although it's livelier beach than most other beaches, we still like it for that reason. Lots of people watching. Great snorkeling also. Just try to bring your own beach chairs and learn to say no thank you.

blu4u wrote: I, personally, don't like the vibe at Cokki and prefer to frequent STT Tomas' many other lovely and safe beaches. Different strokes for different folks.

You don't like Coki's "vibe" which is your preference but, following your logic about crime and beaches, you've lived here long enough to know that not one of the three beaches you cite as your alternative "lovely and safe beaches" (Sapphire, Smith Bay Park/Lindqvist and Magens) has been immune from crime and not in the way distant past either. I'll paraphrase my previous statement and repeat that, "A couple of isolated criminal incidents ... doesn't make (any beach) generally unsafe no more than a couple of isolated muggings on Main Street in broad daylight make that an area to avoid."

I don't do drugs. Maybe that's the difference. Quite a few folks believe that "ganja" is part of the culture here. There is also a set of folks who live a "rum-centric" life style. I don't sit in judgement on people's choices. However I don't like be in close proximity to illegal activities. I enjoy a rum drink every now and then. But I find loud, overly intoxicated people annyoinig. The Megan's Bay authority does a very nice job of mainitaing a "family feel" at the two beaches they manage. (Magen's and Lindquist) I go the beach to relax and enjoy the natural setting, not to get wasted. To each his own...

Ruby, you'll probably find STT and STj much the same as last year. Enjoy your trip!!

Agree completely with blu4u. My wife and I have been to the VI 4 times in the last three years, and have really enjoyed spending time on most all of the beaches including those on St. John. The whole "vibe" in and around Smith Bay and Coki, particularly the "attendents" in the Coki parking area made us so uncomfortable as to decide NOT to stop and get out. That's NOT why we travel to the islands. We are not overly sensitive either, as we feel perfectly comfortable traveling all over the islands and living more like the locals, but we didn't feel comfortable around Coki. To each his own I guess, but we would much rather find a quiet spot and settle in.

I had guests staying at my vacation rental and they fled Coki without even getting out of the car due to being accosted by a swarm of guys while parking. They didn't like the "vibe" there, either. Can't say that I blame them. It's a shame that the VI Gov. spent so much money (our tax dollars at work) to fix up and improve Coki without keeping the criminal element at bay and having an officer stationed there, full time.
I just don't get it why they (police) don't get it, when everyone knows there is constant and blatent drug dealing there.

We've been to Coki a few times. It definitely has more "local flavor" than the other beaches weve been to on the Island. First time there we had no problems and loved the beach. The second time I was there I got into it with a local who was angry I bought beer from someone else(after he told me he would be my "waiter") He told me if I was to buy anything on the beach it would be through him only and that I owed him money for his lost sale. After I told him I wasn't paying him any money for his "lost sale" he calmed down and told me we must of had a miscommunication and that everything was ok now that I understood how it worked...lol. It bothered me that I was harassed like that on the beach but we didn't leave and had a great day there anyway. The last time there we went to Coral World first. You have access to Coral World all day including their bathrooms and changing rooms. After Coral World we left the car in their parking lot for the day and walked over to Coki. We rented chairs and umbrellas from one of the locals who was a real nice guy. We brought a cooler with us this time with drinks and snacks. Had another great day there. I can understand why some people would feel uncomfortable at Coki and not want to visit. We enjoy Coki and probably will go again this March when we visit.

Do you mean since August 2012? Because at that time we were at Coki and the entire time a bunch of locals sat behind us smoking pot. Continuously. It was very uncomfortable.

One thing that I would like to point out is that classifying the dope smokers and barkers as "locals" is bit mis-leading. These un-ruly guys definitely do not represent the local STT population. It's kinda sad that visitors get this impression. The majority of STT "locals" I know are hard working, community oriented folks who are ashamed of the activities going on at coki. Most locals avoid cokki and prefer the "park" beaches (Magens or Lindquist) or their neighborhood beach.

Fortunately STT has no shortage of spectacular beaches!!!!

Ps. if you'r

I refuse to send my guests to Coki. I don't think they should be subjected to the balntant bullshit that goes on there, I am sorry as it's is a very beautiful beach. Those folks do not represent the Virgin Islands. It's a shame.