You can have a gang with just a handful of people. Gangs have always existed pretty much everywhere, though they used to fight hand to hand (or via dance in the musical) a la West Side Story's Jets and Sharks. So yes, the VI has gangs. We're not talking LA/Chicago/NY Bloods and Crips, but we've got thugs who band together for criminal pursuits just as you do in your hometown (even if you don't know it.)

I'm still having a hard time believing St. J would have that kind of activity other then the occasional theft here and there. Can someone give me a example of something happening there from the past. I have always seen some homeless but never anything else. This just shocks me but not on St. T.

Why do you want examples?

We have always had 'gangs' here. Growing up in STT the gang from Savan tumbled with the gang from Polyberg. No reason why a group of kids from STJ can't become the SJM(St John Massive). Wouldn't doubt there is one from Coral Bay that would give the one from Cruz Bay a hard time! Who knows? At least in the old days it was some fist fights coupled with a little rock throwing, but what they are doing today is totally different. I guess it's the signs of the times with access to so many TV shows, movies, computer games, and even the Internet, things have changed.

Well said, Ron and dntw8up. Lack of education and lack of parental control are also negative contributory factors. The VIPD has recently taken steps to go into the schools and address parents about the signs of "gang" affiliations and the majority of parents attending those sessions were apparently floored when they realized that certain colors and codes and notes weren't as benign as they supposed but were indeed symbols of gang affiliation.

Gang affiliation can be very benign and simply indicate a status of "belonging" with a group but, at its worst, is the cause of some of the major violence here once it gets into drug affiliation and illegal guns.

That said and, trust me, it's a major concern of locals, the incidence of crime against visitors is very rare.

Remember when we were kids and all we thought about was playing outside until the we either got called home or the street lights came on? God, I miss those days.

My father died when I was young and I had 2 older brothers. I had a Mother who never worked a day in her life, or drove a car, or payed the bills. That's what my Father did. My Mother is a strong women and I appreciate what she did for us.

These kids need something else, whether in the Islands or in center city Philly. They are bored. They need mentors. They need something.

Sorry, I'm rambling.

If you know my story, you know me. I too played outside, until the street lights came on. My Mom and Dad didn't worry about me as far as I know. I was always within ear shot away and respected their rules.

We always had dinner together, and then head out to the ball park or football field where I would play or practice. They were THERE for me. Just like the sports programs were THERE for me.

The Virgin islands are a mess in this regard. Baseball is over after only one game:
http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17635741

Football is over before it started:
http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17635763

Organized sports are fading fast on the islands. Kids need positive attention. Kids need structured athletic programs to provide a safe environment where they can learn to play as a team and rely on each other. Every youth, no matter what the continent, needs to feel wanted and accepted. Sports used to be an avenue that would fulfill that want and desire. There was no need to seek it anywhere else... they were too tired from playing SPORTS.

Contact Governor John de Jongh Jr. http://www.governordejongh.com/
Tell him I sent you.

Sincerely,
Dean Doeling

Not picking a fight with you Connie but I bet your Mom would not agree she never worked a day of her life. Raising kids is hard work. My Mom kept me away from the "wrong" types and believe me, that was work. Last night at the Savan Boys Club, there was a law enforcement officer speaking on the influence and recruitment of the Blood and Crips in the USVI.

Oh, come on Norman, you know I didn't mean it "that" way. But my Mother did not hold a job, at all, until my Father died. She's a good Mom.

I KNOW

alot of VI youth are just some crap. my family is from there and my mom grew up in old polyberg and i always heard stoires of her growing up in the good old days where they NEVER had to worry about this. The fact is the retarded VI youth r being exposed to american thug culture and pretty much emulating it thinking they r cool, cute and just trying to hard to be americans....yes i dnt care if anyone gets offended with my comments because i am defininatley fed up and it is the truth....we r virgin islnaders...not freaking americans...ban BET or something....but on a serious note....the island is just so small and the kids really really need something to do and get involved with...the schools should oblige them in that...

curious - and we also have a lot of children raising children, ill-equipped parents raising children, one-family homes, absentee parents, etc., all of which are contributory negative factors.

Curious,
While I agree that kids anywhere need direction and activities to keep their hands from growing idle and that the pervasive culture learned from TV and other media will not lead in a positive direction. Although my view if VI youth is limited to my visits, I would not call the youth of the VI retarded. Anything but that.

yea u guys are right....it is just soooo incredibly frustrating seeing the young males going around committing such senseless crimes and killings. i just hate it soo much and it just feels like there is nothing be done

curious and others, have you considered mentoring, helping to solve problems? In all honesty I've done my part but I'm getting quite old, still have to work to keep a roof over my head and just staying above borderline gets harder as the years go by and as the "oomph" deteriorates. There really is a lot you can do where children are concerned. Best to get out there and see what just a little bit of effort can enhance YOUR life as well as those children - and their need is really much more important than yours.

Just a little bit of effort on your part can make a whole lot of difference in a local child's life. Some kids just don't have direction. You can help. Cheers!

STT, you are right, there is something we can all do to help. I know a few extraordinary people on St. John who do so much, make such a difference for a lot of young people on our little island. But the fact is, we need more than a few extraordinary people. We need them, we need more like them, and we just need everybody to care. Even if you can do something just very small, it makes a difference, it makes you part of the solution.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dean Doeling on his recent visit to St. John. I have to tell you, this man has helped light a fire under our butts. What he is trying to do to better a place that is thousands of miles from his home, well...I just don't know how to tell you how much it touches my soul. He has inspired me, and many others to think hard about what we can do to help our kids come together, play together, work together, and lay the foundations for theirs (and ours) future. Because of his vision, he has a lot of people on St. John coming together, working together, that may have never done so otherwise. I applaud him for all of his efforts, and for all of his compassion. If any of you want to help, please go to his website. I know that problems like gangs and crime are so big that it becomes overwhelming thinking about what you can do as individual to make a difference. Dean has made it easy for all of us to get involved. Now it's up to us to take that step!

Reminds me of that saying "It takes a village to raise a child". That is so true! Especially in these times.

Hey everyone,

Your comments and concerns are all valid ones. It's interesting to note that it does not take much to make a big difference! We are looking for volunteers for EVERYTHING.

Because of this board, and others like it, many individuals are coming forward to ask how they can help. One man in Beaverton, Oregon (where I live) has offered to take a huge amount of new Nike balls down to St. John, free of charge, when he and his family fly down in June. I delivered them to him yesterday, and he and his wife are really lovely people.

We are also helping the St. John Parks and Rec. department with their basketball clinic June 23 and 24. We need all kinds of volunteers, even if you don't play basketball. We are also looking for donations of water, snacks, prizes, and anything else that you think the youth can use during the camp. I have just sent over 20 new Nike basketballs and assorted "Nike awards" down today. They will get there in in plenty of time for the camp.

We are also just starting to organize a "Come Play" field day for youth of all ages. It will be held in October, over Columbus day weekend. If you will be in St. John then, and are willing to help, please contact me. We are looking for people to donate one day of their time. It will be a wonderful event that all the youth and community can enjoy.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Dean Doeling
www.usingsportforsocialchange.com