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The recent killings in St. Thomas and the incident in Aruba are evidence that you are not completely safe as a tourist - EVER!!!
For some reason, that fact comes as a big surprise to a lot of people and IT SHOULD NOT. It's common knowledge that a certain criminal element preys upon tourists. The other day I interviewed a woman from San Juan, PR for a job. She said, "the local criminals find their victims at the airport because it's easy to spot the locals from the tourists." And don't think this problem happens only in the Caribbean, my local airport, SeaTac, has always been a good place to run into a pick pocket. Even worse, my own sister in law was raped in a bathroom in a Texas airport on a layover from Atlanta to Seattle.
So why do so many tourists fall victim to crime on vacation? I think it's because we're out of our element.
I'll use myself for an example. Since I've lived in the Seattle/Tacoma area all my life, I know how to stay out of trouble. I know which neighborhoods are safe, which are little more risky, and I know which neighborhoods that it would be better if I stayed out of them. The same goes for bars. There are some bars in my town that are perfectly safe - nobody will hassle you there. On the other hand, there are bars in my area that just seem to attract trouble. Because I like to stay out of trouble, I've developed a lifestyle that keeps me safe.
Now transplant me to St. Thomas. I haven't the slightest idea of the good and bad neighborhoods. The same with bars. I don't know what bars are safe in St. Thomas, but I do know that if it's like here, there are bars that it would be best for me to stay away.
So when you travel - BE ON GUARD. EXPECT criminals to be watching you. Be cautious! Don't go on vacation and forget your good common sense. Don't flash lots of money around!!! Get a map, and know where you're going, so that you won't end up driving into a neighborhood that is known for trouble. Don't trust everybody that you meet. You wouldn't at home, so why should you when you're on vacation.
Now for a couple of pet peeves. Just because you're on vacation in the Caribbean doesn't mean that you have to score some bud!!!! Buying weed in the Caribbean is illegal and risky. It puts you in contact with a certain lawless element, an element that it would be safer for you, if you stayed away from.
My other pet peeve is, be careful what you post on this board. I see people post personal information and itenerary information on here all the time. Just remember this is the internet! You never know who is lurking on this message board and what they might do with the information that you put on here.
And finally, don't stop traveling. Travel is a great priviledge. Just travel as safely as possible.
Great post, John! Well said.
Excellent advice John! I think it would be great if some local St. Thomasians would share some travel tips for us.
Great advice John.
Wes and others, what sorts of safety related travel tips or precautionary information are you looking for? Be specific. Let’s see if you can help us help you have a better, safer time in our islands. I'll have the information we come up with added to the site.
--Islander
Hi Islander,
I think it would be helpful for new visitors to know what areas of CA they should probably avoid after a certian time of day. What bars might be rougher than others. (I know you can't do this but other locals can) I'm pretty familiar with CA, but when I see posts that suggest the two recent victims were in an area that no visitor should be late at night, it might be helpful to know where these areas are.
That is an excellent post worth remembering when traveling anywhere
The only reason I'll ever venture into CA after dark is to eat at Cuzzins - and then only if I can park on the street right in front.
Perhaps Cuzzins should implement a valet parking option to keep visitors safe and beef up their evening business. I usually find parking right in front - and have never felt unsafe. There are always lots of patrons going in and out.
Other than Cuzzins, I see no need to be in CA after dark. I know lots of visitors frequent the Greenhouse. I have never been - so I can't comment on it's value to a tourist.
