Well, thank you for that second post, stm11. Your insight is invaluable!;)

You are correct, I will never go back 🙂

I've been watching these types of conversations, here and other USVI message boards I read, since the Coki shooting. I totally sympathyze with anyone who has been touched by crime of any sort. In my opinion I think we're seeing such reactions to the latest incident not just because of the senseless death of an innocent child. Those of us that vacation frequently in the USVI/BVI/Caribbean have such an idealized image of the islands that crime and brutality in that setting seem shocking and totally out of place. The USVI are real places where communities of people live; unfortunately there are problems just like many communities. Perhaps the recent tragedy will be a catalyst for change.

misterduffy, I think you make great points.
Folks It is sad that people have been victims of crimes everywhere. But does that stop people from living their everyday lives. I live near Chicago and it is a dangerous place at times, even in good neighbor hoods. Does that stop me from enjoying the lakefront and the museums. Heck No! This is the world we live in. It is so unfortunate that these people went to paradise to have a great time and something terrible happened. I am certainely not dismissing that fact by any means. I am very sympathetic to your situation. I myself have been a victim of a violent crime. I do not let it paralyze my life though. Saying that the USVI is such a dangerous place is just idiotic. Does there need to be a change, probably so. Misterduffy hit the nail on the head. Crime is everywhere. If you do not want to travel to a region because of crime, that is your choice. However can you tell me a vacation destination that doesn't have this kind of crime? If you can than you have the status of a god and you should win the nobel peace prize. Simply this is paradise, and yes there is crime here. It is called Life.

you want crime and corruption at the local level, come live in Detroit, USVI is heaven compared to most places. I am truly sorry for those that have been victims. However, there is no crime compared to many places.

I always tell folks who visit us while we are in STJ, do not leave your brain or your common sense behind when you come here. As I post earlier somewhere maybe here, the only thing I have had stolen while visiting STJ since 1977 is a shoe, and it turned out to be a dog that did that.

When somehting happens in Paridise it is a big deal, in the states it is business as ussual.......

I suggest you vacation in Detroit sometime, STT will look pretty good after that.

RM wrote:
you want crime and corruption at the local level, come live in Detroit, USVI is heaven compared to most places. I am truly sorry for those that have been victims. However, there is no crime compared to many places.

I always tell folks who visit us while we are in STJ, do not leave your brain or your common sense behind when you come here. As I post earlier somewhere maybe here, the only thing I have had stolen while visiting STJ since 1977 is a shoe, and it turned out to be a dog that did that.

When somehting happens in Paridise it is a big deal, in the states it is business as ussual.......

I suggest you vacation in Detroit sometime, STT will look pretty good after that.

Doesn't that make you feel safe when violent crime in the Virgin Islands is compared to Detroit and Chicago. Crucians in Focus, a local blog tells us that the MURDER RATE in the USVI is now 8 TIMES the national average. Things are out of control and will only get worse unless major changes happen. Many different people and groups share the blame. The government and police head the list and can do the most right now to make changes. Bad parents are next. How can you raise healthy responsible children when their parents are children too? This is a nationwide problem, but worse here.

I'm not a social worker, so I suggest that the short term solution is to bring in the US Army. I would rather have them here than Afghanistan. We need to clean out the guns and jail the thugs. Then we can work on social solutions.

The locals who support the illegal constitution need to wake up and stop being so ignorant. That is just one more thing that encourages crime and violence here.

FIrst let me say that I was not comparing to Chicago. I was simply saying that crime is here in my backyard as well. I still go out and enjoy it though. Secondly, maybe it is 8 times the national average. However are they comparing apples to apples here? Look at the population of USVI vs the population of the US. Duh of course the USVI average will be higher because the population is so so much smaller. You have to get your statistics per capita, not a national average. I am not dismissing that there needs to be something done about the violence that is occuring. I am just saying this is a epidemic and it is not isolated to the USVI. You will have this type of violence everywhere you go. Like RM and I said if you think it is bad in STT, phew come to chicago or detroit. IT DOES NOT COMPARE! 45 murders occur in a month sometimes per week in places like that. So to be so negative and state that the USVI is out of control, is laughable. Welcome to stateside life! I feel safer in USVI than I do in Chicago on any given day. There are places I know not to be out in after dark or even in daylight in both cities. It is practicing caution and sensibility. There are still those crimes that happen outside those areas as well. Even in a safe place during broad daylight. As I said before it is a part of life. Sadly, but true. Please enjoy paradise, be smart, and don't live your life like a hermit crab.

"Secondly, maybe it is 8 times the national average. However are they comparing apples to apples here? Look at the population of USVI vs the population of the US. Duh of course the USVI average will be higher because the population is so so much smaller. "

Speaks volumes.

toes in the sand wrote:
"Secondly, maybe it is 8 times the national average. However are they comparing apples to apples here? Look at the population of USVI vs the population of the US. Duh of course the USVI average will be higher because the population is so so much smaller. "

Speaks volumes.

Another way to look at the numbers would be to say that you are 8 times more likely to murdered while you are in the USVI than you would be at home.

Remember there are only about 100000 people living here and so far about 50 have been murdered this year. I am not trying to scare away tourists, I am just trying to get the attention of the police and politicians. I think the problem can be managed in the islands with much more success than some stateside locations. That is why I am taking the time to comment..

The trolls will be fed on a regular basis...:P

I think that the wording of "national average" should also be looked in to. Are they adding the entire population of the US and dividing by the number of murders, at least that's how I read it. Now if you would deduct all of the rural areas and only stick with per capita populations that resemble the VI's you would have a much different statistic that wouldn't come off as so alarming.

Good luck with the math people....the data and statistics are likely flawed and you are comparing apples to roses.

If anyone is saying there is no problem I disagree.

If anyone is saying it is too dangerous to go visit again, I disagree.

It seems that things have gotten worse the past year but I know I do not have adequate information to confirm the theory of "getting worse".

Back in April I read about a person getting cut down in the street with an AK47...sounded like something bad to me...

Now some other recent street shootings...things don't seem to be getting better do they?

My guess is that it is time for a change.

Call me a troll if you like....I consider myself a concerned traveler who pays attention to current events.

I'm not planning to vacation in Detroit either.

Peace

sherban: I was referring to the OP troll. You, sherban, are a sweetie!:D

Sherban, you are right. But let me know if you want to come to detroit! Lol! I still Love STT and STJ and the people there. Hopefuly the violence will curtail with change. But it is apples to roses! Well spoken!

We enjoyed our week long visit in April...no problems what so ever...

I might choose another destination in the short term...especially if my family was coming...it it were me alone, NP I'll be ok.

I enjoyed STT and had no issues...

I encourage all of you who are concerned about crime in the USVI not to come here, we will somehow make due without you and your negative ways.

Please go somewhere else to vacation where you will be safe and warm.

stm11 wrote: I remember watching a crime solving reality show several years ago when Dr. Henry Lee was called to investigate because murder in the USVI was non-existent, and the police did not have any experience investigating murders.

I well remember the show you mention, it was only a few years ago and you've recalled it totally incorrectly. This was a case involving the murder indictment of a young student. Dr. Lee was brought in to consult by the defense team and offer his forensic perspective which the local police force did not have experience in to the degree that he has. There was never any remote mention that, "murder in the USVI was non-existent, and the police did not have any experience investigating murders." Making a point is one thing but embellishing and totally distorting a story to make it is quite reprehensible.

I'm sorry your car was broken into at Coki Beach but had you researched some basic do-nots before you came here you would have read in countless places and way high on the list that leaving valuables in your rental vehicle while enjoying a day at the beach is not a good idea on any of the islands. That this incident (which could so easily have been avoided if you had used common sense) should deter you from visiting our beautiful islands in the future is a shame.

I too am always amused when they drop the bomb and are never heard of again.

Common Sense goes a long way. Sure there is crime in the islands, people live there. In all of our trips to the islands we have NEVER had a problem with criminal behavior but then again we don't leave our brain at home. On a lighter note: This Weekend At Coral World.