Not a big problem. I would say that I found the few times that I was approached was near the lumberyard area. Not to suggest that you should avoid that area because of that. Stay where there are people. Treat the homeless with respect. I had a Patricia ( I think that is her name) approach me one afternoon wanting to talk to me about one thing or another, I bid her a good afternoon and walked into a crowd. She found someone else. I hear that Lindy passed away this year. He may have been the man you saw near Woody's. He pretty much kept to himself but for a few times I saw him agitated.
Be courteous, keep walking, if you feel worried walk into a shop or crowd.
Of course there will be others approach you and ask for your help. Last trip I was asked if I wanted to purchase a raffle ticket or make a donation for Julia Sprauve (sp?) school. A volunteer taking advantage of a town full of visitors to help out the school. I wonder who won the raffle. A big screen tv I think.

So maybe if I'm approached just say no thank you and smile and keep walking? Maybe towards a group a people? Other than lumber what is at the lumberyard area? Will I need to go there for anything? Thanks kinda freaking out being on my own.

It never hurts to be cautious when traveling, but you'll be fine, please don't worry yourself over this. I have been to STJ 8 times and during the RARE occasions I've been approached I have just respectfully declined ( "no thanks, good evening" ) and moved along. It's never been aggressive and I've certainly never felt personally threatened or followed afterwards. The lumberyard is a business complex with a few shops & restaurants (the new Chinese joint opened there.) I would not regard this as a hotbed for homeless folks by any means. Please also know that I have traveled quite a bit and have found STJ to be a VERY safe place and I count the months & days until I can return again. Hope this helps in some small way...

It has helped, thank you, I was just unsure what to expect and want to know ahead of time what I might in cure so I can better prepare myself.

"The last time we went we drove by Woody's bar and a tall thin African American man was peeing right out in all front for the world to see and no one even seemed to care or staring at him. I thought wow in the states you would get arrested."

I have seen plenty of men in the states doing the same, in large cities and rural towns, usually when they're intoxicated. I have never seen anyone anywhere arrested for public urination, though I once saw someone at a tailgate party being cited.

Yeah, we have people in the states doing that as well. The tall thin man I was talking of was real drunk and was holding himself up with a tree next to a bush. Just something I thought I would mention that I saw 5 years ago and noticed that no one around him were real concerned and just kept talking around him. Not something you see everyday. Or for me at least....I must live under a rock.

The man you are talking about was most likely Lindy. He passed away. I never saw him violent or angry...but usually pretty drunk and laughing a lot. He would rarely speak to tourists, just rub his fingers together to imply he wanted something (cigarette, beer, food, money) and you could just shake your head no or give him something, without incident.
There are a few people around town that will ask for something and the only person that can be trouble is Patrina. You will know if she is "off" that day...it will be very obvious. I haven't seen her around at all and rumor has it that she is either in a mental institute or jail. She is usually in Coral Bay...but has been gone for awhile. The other people I just say, "Not today" and that is enough. They are people, and should be treated with respect, but you don't have to give them anything if you don't want to.
I would not worry about this though. I too am timid with people I don't know. I've never felt threatened by any of the homeless of St. John.
Have a great time!!! I think STJ is a great place to enjoy solo!

Last time that I was shopping at Marina Market I had a man follow me to my car to help me load my groceries, he appeared homeless and somewhat unkept. I let him load my groceries and gave him a couple of dollars. He was very appreciative and kind, I never felt threatened.

Molly

Where do the homeless go at night to sleep and is there a shelter on St. John? I'm so surprised that there are homeless on the island and all with the prices as they are. I been in Cruz Bay at night and have never really seen anyone who looked homeless only during the day so I figured they have a shelter to go to. I guess it just goes to show you that no matter the economy there will always be others worse of than us.

Because it doesn't get cold here, many just sleep rough outside. Or they build a shelter in the weeds/shelter/forest.

What was wrong with Patrica?( I think someone said that might be her name) Was she just loud? Or what would she do? Just curious.

You can see many of the homeless snoozing the morning away on a bench in town or on a tree or kayak on Cruz Bay beach. You will also see the homeless doing little odd jobs, sweeping and taking out garbage from some of the bars in the morning. Almost all of the "regular" homeless are harmless and actually quite nice. There is one man who has Tourettes Syndrome. He is not threatening, but he does say some unsavory things that are kind of out of his control. You most likely won't even see him, but if you do, and he has a bad day and says something offensive, don't take it personal.

LOL, he wont be anymore offensive to hear compared to my 18 years old son and his friends. After listening to them nothing surprises me. But thanks for the heads up...

There are Homeless in Beverly Hills too
amazed me, but where would you rather be homeless...Beverly Hills, LA or STJ?