"Small town minds" aren't necessarily limited minds although I see where RM is coming from. Poster stm11 has already told his/her story in another thread on this forum. Going against frequently posted advice, the group decided to stash all their "valuables" in the trunk of their rental car while enjoying a day at Coki and returned to the vehicle to find the trunk broken into and everything gone. He/she is naturally upset but did something that is at the top of the "don't do" list for visitors, paid the price and then decided to hole themselves up in their hotel for the duration of their stay and vow never to return here.

If stm11 had done even some basic research, the answer to something as simple as "where to put your valuables while on a beach" would have been way high up there as it comes up all the time. First, when you're here on vacation there is no need to schlepp your "valuables" on beach trips. As a reminder, waterproof packs you can swim and snorkel with come in all shapes and sizes to fit a camera, a credit card, money and keys. What other "valuables" might there be which one needs to take to the beach? Leave the Hope diamond carefully stashed at home.

stm11 alleges that he/she was also considering moving here or purchasing a vacation home here prior to this incident - but I rather doubt that, with all due respect, otherwise he/she would have better knowledge of simple basics.

stm11, I really do hope you find the right place for either your retirement or vacation home. Good luck!

STT Resident wrote: Leave the Hope diamond carefully stashed at home!

oh, that's got to be the line of the day... :@)

I read your original post about you and your family putting all of your valuables in your trunk out in plain site where everyone around could see. Now, I don't do that when I go to the gym every day in the good old US and I live in a totally different environment.

You were a bit foolish and somewhat unworldly. Sorry but those actions, and your staying in your room for the rest of your vacation because YOU made a silly mistake, are just crazy.

On the News last night: Two shot early in the morning followed by a 15 year shot last night in the back and the chest. That was in my city of Cincinnati, a place that I feel safe in my neighborhood anytime and any part of the city during the day. Go to St. Thomas it's safer!

ReepingWay wrote:
I've gone to Coki every trip to the VI for years and years. While Magens will give you a calmer beach and less noise, Coki can be fun. There are plenty of hustlers and hucksters on the beach, hawking beads, drinks, whatever, and it is a bit of a noisy zoo atmosphere. But never have I not felt physically safe there. It is a place where I like to keep my eyes on my belongings which is not so much the case at Magens and not at all at Sapphire or Secret Harbor. Like all places, bad stuff can happen and this terrible gang shooting could have been anywhere.......I hope by now the police on this small island have identified and arrested the shooters. Stay out of dark alleys! But do enjoy the island.

One of the nice things about St Croix is that we have no "hustlers and hucksters" on our beaches. It's just not done here.

That said, we do have the occasional break-in of a tourist's car. Tourists carry the kind of things the bad guys want: cash and electronics. Any where you vacation, your rental car is a blinking sign. Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you should leave your common sense at home.

I've been all over the Caribbean, and on every island, you have to be careful where you go and when you go there. The same is true in Europe these days. Just remember: you are NOT in Kansas anymore.