Bad PR for St. Croix

Thanks for giving some good insight! I have heard nothing but bad things about the islands. I was beginning to think that the move would be a terrible thing to do. I also believe that with enough activists/ go getters anything can be turned around! Not that I plan on changing the world, but a little effort from ever one can go a long way! If it doesn't work out for us we will take our losses with a unique experience and move on!

Simple:

If you've heard nothing but bad things about the islands, you haven't been reading all the posts on this board. We, too, are planning to move to St. Croix, in spite of the negatives. Flounder is so right...knowledge is power. The point of this thread is not to chase good people away, it is to recognize that there is a crime problem, and hopefully, as a group, DO something to change it.

My husband has just sent an email to the new governor (with copies to newspapers) asking him to make good on his campaign promise to reduce crime. The time for complaining, or ignoring the bad stuff, or being scared away has passed for us. We want to do something concrete. This may be just a first small step, but at least it is in a positive direction.

How do all the good guys make/force the changes when the powers that be seem not interested in the changes.

I have read with sadness the news about and the responses to the recent crimes in St. Croix. My husband and I are planning on moving to the Island within the next couple of years. Yes, I am sad and troubled by these crimes, but i still believe that St. Croix is a good place to make a life. We have done our research and compared crime statistics in places that compare in size to St. Croix, we chose Ft. Myers, FL, because we live close to it, and are familiar with the area. What we found is that the crime rate in St. Croix is for the most part lower than in FT. Myers with the exception of burglaries, which are higher.
This is still not an even comparison, all of the factors are not equal,but it would certainly be more accurate than comparing it to an area like Philly. Some other factors that need to be considered include funds spent on security, employment rate, educational background.
If the goal is to determine how safe you would feel in St. Croix as compared to stateside, you should try to compare apples to apples, which may be difficult. Remember the safety perception varies widely in the U.S. mainland also, depending on where yo u are. I personally feel much safer in Omaha, NE, or the Quad-Cities (Bettendorf, IA/Davenport,IA, etc.) than I do in Chicago, IL or Kansas City, MO. , It all depends on where you are, how well you know the area, and a host of other factors.
Is St. Croix perfect - no; is there room for improvement - yes; do you simply write it off because of the problems it has - not in our case. It means that care must be taken in daily life, that we need to become involved whenever possible. Just my thoughts.
tecara

Please someone tell me about Bogies being robbed twice. How far apart were these robberies? Did they happen at night or daytime hours? Were there a lot of people at the bar and how much monies were taken? I can't believe that Joe would not have security at his restaurant since he cares so much about his patrons. This is very sad news and I just would like some answers.
Thank you, Jazzy

Jazzy,

Residents, please correct me if I'm wrong...I don't live on STX, but from what I've read in the Daily News, Bogie's was robbed once, on a Tuesday evening...a little over a week before, Sprat Net was robbed on a Sunday evening and the Full Moon Bar on Monday evening. I think at Sprat Net, there were around 8 people; Full Moon Bar, a couple customers plus staff; and Bogie's, approximately 18 people.

Every time some one brings up the crime on the islands, I have to chuckle. Not at the crime. But it sounds just like the small town I live in. The crime and coruption of the government is about as bad as it is there. If most people would pay attention to what really goes on in their town or city they would see lots of crime and coruption.

Just my 2 cents.

Elwyn

I've seen a few dreamers post that they have compared crime stats here to other places in the US. Yes our stats may be lower but in NO WAY IS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM EQUAL TO WHAT IS STATESIDE. You will not find justice. You will be lucky if the police ever decide to show up to your home after a crime has been committed. That is is the difference. You'll be lucky if anyone answers 911!!!! You'll be lucky if the ambulances are have emts to drive them or are in working order. The police will do nothing. That is the difference.

And if you are one of the very lucky and they catch the person who committed the crime. Who's going to be on the jury?? Everyone on this island is related to someone one else or has know each others family forever. There is no justice.

in regrads to newcomers making a change. You are going to hate me even more for this but its not going to happen. Change HAS to come for the majority of the population which is not interested in what you are selling. They do not want to here what any statesider has to say especially a new one. Keep your ideas to yourself for a while when you get here at least or you will be ostrized. No one anywhere wants outsiders telling them how to fix there city or should i say country. Because this is a totally different culture then what you are used to and you are not going to be welcomed with open arms. A few maybe, mostly other transplants.

How many times have different groups just tried to get trashcans in downtown Christiansted. To keep our city pretty and hopefully not discourage tourist. And how many times has it failed? Our govt wont even help to keep our citys clean. Which brings in money for them!!

So many people have tried before you. Yes i know this will egg you on only more. So in this case how about betting. I could use some extra cash. You will make no difference here.

The new Govenor has promised to try and clean up the police department and be tougher on chrime. I know that the FBI has a new person down there to investigate public corruption. So maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel, that's not a train.

so the robbery and shooting at secrets 2 days ago is NOT a sign of things starting up again? ...yea I believe the governor will change things......................NOT!

What??!!!
It's not just robberies, it's shootings too? Oh my. Didn't anyone call 911? Maybe the light at the end of the tunnel is the stars you see after being pistol whipped. The FBI and the Gov have a LOT of heavy lifting to do to make any change... we'll see what happens.

Let's give the poor guy a chance. DeJongh won't even take office until the first of the year, Jan 2nd I think.