I think the "without a thought as to your personal safety" is really overestimating the concept!! - it is always worth being aware of your surroundings - STJ is very safe for snorkeling, visiting remote beaches, hiking forest trails etc. - walking around Cruz Bay days and evenings is still a pleasant environment -- as it gets later at night you should be more cautious walking by yourself or if you have been indulging in cocktails. This is only common sense -- not an indictment of the safety of STJ in any way - things everywhere have changed in 8 years and maybe more so on STJ with some rapid development in the last decade.
STJ is a very welcoming and safe community but do give a thought to your personal outlook about swimming, hiking, driving and being out and about. A normal sense of awareness and common sense should work just fine.

To me, safety is a matter of always giving a thought to my personal safety - - being aware of risks and then making personal choices - control what I can then be at peace with the precautions I choose not to take. We don't want to put ourselves in a bubble and most of us can't afford to have a bodyguard so I think the key is to try to avoid being a target anywhere while still trying to enjoy ourselves. When you come right down to it, crime is really about people, not about places. People creating opportunities and being easy marks and then other people taking advantage. I think we tend to generalize about a place being safe and with that there is an underlying assumption that there are no criminals in that particular place. There are bad people in good places and there are good people who can become bad people in an instant and, guess what, they can travel around, too. The person who grabs my camera from my beach bag while I am out in the water enjoying snorkeling could very well be another tourist. At my local grocery store, the person who grabs my wallet out of my handbag left unattended in a shopping cart while I go off just an aisle away to grab milk could be my neighbor from two streets over. Sorry to be preachy and it sounds like the OP is aware to not create opportunities but crime blamed on one island or another is a hot button with me.

What I intended by "no thought for personal safety" was that I was not fearful. That's why I added the comment about comon sense. I really just wanted to know if the island is still generally safe. I have been to many islands in the Carribean and with the possible exception of Virgin Gorda I have never felt safer than on St John.

Margyz, I really liked your perception on safety! You are right, it's about people, not places! Great way of wording it.

Suzannesimpon,
I am sure you will have a wonderful trip, tho you will be surprised at the many changes since you last trip! Enjoy yourself and have a wonderful time!