1 weekend, 2 murders

Beatrice: I googled "St Maarten Crime" and found a wealth of information including this: http://www.jmbcommunications.com/safety.html
The biggest problem with St Maarten IMHO is that it is the gateway for illegal activity into the USVI- human traffic, drugs and guns. Until the pipeline is shutdown, there will continue to be problems there and here. BTW, frequent St Maarten/Martin visitors carry all their stuff with them when they get here because they are so accustomed not leaving anything in their cars there!!

Yes, I am planning to move to St. Croix in the near future. Where I live now 90% of the crimes committed involving armed robbery of a business or person are for the sole reason that these criminals need money to support their addiction which is more times than not either crack cocaine or crystal meth. God forbid meth makes it's way to the USVI. It is truly the most destructive and addictive drug known to man today. As for where I got my info. on the crack subject it is from STX locals who I know very well. It just seems to me that a lot of murders that take place are armed robbery's that go bad. These criminals need the money for one reason or another. If it isn't to support an addiction than maybe they just need it to survive. High cost of living and low pay make for a very tough way of life for many people. I can't be way off base on this one whatever your personal opinions may be on crime in the USVI.

Beatrice

Beatrice - your STX friends are probably unaware of the difference between crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine and confuse the two. And, yes, meth is here on the islands and has been for a while.

Don't misunderstand me - I am anti-drug on the high scale.

If you are indeed planning on moving to St Croix in the near future, I would rather see you look for the positives rather than the negatives because the latter abounds everywhere.

Do you really think you'd be happy moving to the Virgin Islands and, in fact, what's prompted you to contemplate moving here?

It seems that you've already taken a negative stance about this proposed move and I find that a bit worrisome. Cheers.

STTResident-Though my threads may come off as having a negative persona, which by the way drug addiction and drug related crimes aren't the most positive topics on this board, my general attitude about the USVI and life for that matter is a positive one. I have made more than one pre-move visit to St. Croix and actually have found nothing negative about the island. As far as worrisome goes, yes I am a bit worried. The worry only set in when I was told certain facts about crack and why so many murders take place in an area with a rather small population. People on this board always try to compare territory #'s with mainland #'s. It's comparing apples and oranges. Take any city in the US with the same population as the USVI, 110,740 (2003 household survey) and I would highly doubt there were 42 murders last year. I believe the territory had that many in 05. My home city where I live now has a pop. of 108,00 with 4 murders last year. Wouldn't you be just a little bit worriesome? If not well GOD bless you STTResident. You are one fearless person. I was told on my last pre-move visit by a guy who had lived on STX for over 25 years that if I dont sell drugs and aren't between the ages of 17 and 27 I should not have any problems. I'm 37 and don't sell drugs so the odds I hope are in my favor. Take care and GOD bless.

Beatrice

This is the kind of problem that we have because of the St Maarten "pipeline." A very sad story: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=12735399

Was curious to see how people of a non-west indian background would react to my comment. No surprises.

lola,

Of the folks who responded to your post, how do you know who is and who isn't of "non-west indian background?"

It seems the majority of the people on this board are. I never see anyone discuss the actual culture of the caribbean people or show any interest in it.

The site is quite good at informing someone of what to expect regarding making a move to VI. The information provided is crucial. I just haven't read anything on here that captures the culture I witnessed when visiting native friends there or what the natives in the states have told me. It is just my personal observation. But I guess like the mainland there are distinct cultures living side by side but never mingling.

Lola, if you want to ask about culture, why not ask? Don't think there is anything cultural about murders and drugs if you ask me. I am sure and know for fact when a moving question is asked concerning culture it is answered.

RL

Dear lola, I concur with dntw8up and Ronnie and, even before I read their responses, your assumptions rather irked me. Even before reaching your generalizations based on what you've seen here first-hand and vicariously through your "native" friends on the mainland. But, then again, maybe you have to have been here a while to "get" what this community is all about and, then again, you could be here for many years and never get it.

Maybe what you and many others don't really comprehend is that these islands are a real melting pot. They have been so since originally settled under different flags, and remain so to this day.

The "culture" of the Virgin Islands is a medley, the people are a medley. As a 21 year resident, now 60 years old, I STILL don't like it when a young child looking for a ride yells after me, "WHITE M-SC*** BITCH!" when I don't stop. I don't appreciate young cashiers who suck their teeth at me or ignore my daily greeting to them when going through the line.

And if local "culture" incorporates driving around in a vehicle with huge speakers which drown out everything around and get every other car in the vicinity bouncing from the bass, I'm left cold.

If "culture" is going to a local beach, cranking up the music and then leaving dirty diapers, plastic and paper plates, cans and bottles strewn all over, I'm left cold.

"Culture" here is alive and well through the efforts of a bunch of people who work very hard to keep the old traditions going - but their efforts too often go unnoticed by the mass which is most sad.

The norm is too often just a general lack of respect for one's fellow man and the environment in general which seems to be lacking in many areas of America and, I'm sure, in many parts of the world in general.

What does it really take to say, "please" and "thank you" and show basic politesse to everyone? What's the big deal in cleaning up after yourself?

Cheers!

lola,

Perhaps there are fewer discussions about island culture on this board because those who post on this board are primarily concerned with the logistics of relocating here -- hence the name "USVI Relocation Message Board." On the other hand, perhaps if your definition of culture were more broadly construed you'd find plenty of threads on this board that address island culture. As Ronnie said, it's odd that you've started a thread on murder and then used the thread to lament the lack of discussion about culture. The leap you make -- from island culture is not commonly discussed on this board to most board partcipants are not West Indian -- is illogical; why would West Indians discuss their culture, on this board, in a thread about murder?

Lola, are you Beatrice under a new name? In your first post on this thread you said, "Was curious to see how people of a non-west indian background would react to my comment. No surprises." and yet "Lola" had not posted before. Hmmmm...

And who do you consider "non-west indian?" Just a thought but a very serious question.

STT Resident... that was Iola's 2nd post to the thread. Her first appears on page 1 of the commentary.

Ah, yes of course I see that now! Thank you. Nonetheless my thoughts, questions and comments remain as written. Thanks again.

planning on moving to stx. we own a shotgun,sks,& a rifle. are we going to have trouble getting them on the island

Yes, gun permits are near impossible to get here.

Do a search in back pages. I believe someone posted that uyou can bring certain guns in by shipping them to the gun club, and getting permits.

Ive looked all over the net and can not find any info on st.croix gun club. any suggestions ?

Don't know whether or not this will help but "SWAT COMBAT" on STT (340-777-4843) has an ad in the Yellow Pages for "protective devices" such as pistols, BB guns, pellet guns, stun guns, etc. noting that they service both STT and STX. Maybe they could give you some assistance.

on STX there is the D&J Shooting Gallery 340.713.9058 - they are located on the main highway, just a little past Sunny Isle as you head west to F'sted.

There's also the St Croix Marksmanship Association 773.8555 - I believe they are located out East on the South Shore right adjacent to the Boys Club. If its the same one I think it is, I believe they are only open on Sundays. My friend Lisa is a member!

Good luck with the guns, might be good to have 'em!

D&J Shooting Gallery is a licensed gun dealer. You can have your guns shipped to them by another federally licensed gun dealer.

Until you have a VI permit you must store your guns with them and fire your pistols on their range.

The staff at D&J is very helpful and will give you the applications necessary to get a gun permit in the VI and advice on how to complete the application.

Getting a license to carry is difficult unless you transport cash or valuables for business purposes.

Jim

I just got my gun permit for home protection purposes this week after turning in the application back in early December. The process is a bit of a pain and involves getting 3 personal references from residents, which can be difficult for newcomers. The application has to be notarized. In addition, you need to bring your birth certificate and Social Security Card with you when you apply. After you have completed all the items on the checklist they give you with the application, they will then tell you that you need a notarized affidavit to the Commissioner of Police stating why you want the gun permit so you can make another trip to the notary and police station. The initial fees are about $50.00, which you have to pay in cash.

You will also have to take a gun safety class. I took mine with the St. Croix Gun Club (?), which offer them once a month on a Sunday as a public service. It takes about 2 hours and cost $25.00. They have a website but do not respond to e-mail or phone calls, so you will need to stop by on a Sunday morning to make the arrangements. Their range is next to the Boy Scout Camp by Great Pond. I also checked with D&J, which has an indoor shooting facility, and their price was $200.00.

My permit allows me to have my gun shipped down from the States through a gun dealer. Once I get the gun I have to take it to the police station to complete the process. I will also have to renew the permit in May (although I applied for it in December) which I think will cost $100.00. Unfortunately, you also need to have a proof of purchase for the gun to register it and I probably threw my receipt away 15 years ago, so I am not sure how it will work out in the end.

Do SCUBA diving Spearfishing guns need permits or are they ok?