Beware of Thieves

Hey Chock.....Believe me, I know they are trying their best.....But believe it or not, thats a true story!!! It just always reminds me of the story from Ausie about the cookies. You just have to love that stuff!!! And you can't possibly make that kind of stuff up!!

The cookies line is a classic if I have ever heard one. I wonder how many of them would visit if I left out coffee and donuts ? Just kidding,I hope to befriend a few from the St Croix PD. One can always hope.

I have been hearing lots of stories about peoples things being stolen from Rainbow Beach at Rhythms.
One couple parked in the lot across the street from Rhythms, they saw some shady looking guys in the lot and made sure they took everything in the jeep with them, after 5 minutes they realized they had left a small bag with some personal items in the back of the jeep, he went to go out to get it and it was gone. They unzipped the back of the jeep and took the bag. Another couple was sitting at the beach and just took there eyes off one of there bags for a minute and the bag was gone. It had a camera, Iphone and ID in it. They called the cops, apparently this has been going for awhile.
Something needs to be done about these Thieves. We now have tourist on island and the cruise ships are back and we don't want this to ruin everything for the businesses.
So everyone be careful with your belongings, don't leave anything in the car and always keep your stuff with you.
I hope they catch these guys soon.

Maybe some of the Businesses which have a vested interest in your safety should be made aware that we are talking about THEM and their places of business on an internet message board.

Private Security guards, cameras, ...why not?

Niel that will only hurt the criminals. Locks only keep honest people out. Good idea though. I don't yet know where we will be located but as a business owner on island I would like it very much if people were to tell me of the problems around the area. Be responsible for your own personal property "LEAVING IT UNSECURED". If you are broken into on my property, I will most definitely want to know.

Duggans (or maybe it was the reef) just put up at least 2 new cameras (those are the only ones I noticed)

One question. Who on this board or someone you may know who does not follow this board,has made one effort for change in the subject of crime. I don't mean did you file a complaint and then just let it slide or did you stand together and say this was not acceptable. There is strength in numbers. It was brought to my attention that I do not live there and there for do not know what I am talking about. I can except that excuse for now, as I find it hard to say, what are we going to do ? I am not going to do anything within the next 6 months,except live as I always have. Don't waste your efforts for positive change on me,not yet anyway.

So what to do ? I say you have done nothing but put your heads in the sand ! Organize,stand up,and take action, continual action in the pursuit of a better life if you want it. Me by myself,I won't be able to fix much, if anything. As an organized group of concerned citizens,eventually it will change.

If I give you an honest effort,will you give me the same ? Would you come to a meeting about bettering your community ? The PD needs your help,not just your complaints.

I don't live there as of yet but the time is soon upon me. I do know me and that person will not just roll over and give up. What about the good folk in the VI ?

Chock

You'd have to be here and see it. Nuff said.

Don't worry, Uncle Sam has your back and will dole out as he see's fit. All I am saying is ORGANIZE . All were doing here is griping on a singular basis and no one want's to waste their time when a susposed minority are the ones griping. CHANGE IS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE SLOW TO COME. I'M going to quit wasting my time on the subject until I do arrive permanently because It seems to be very clickish on island,if you can't listen to what I am saying., you're really not going to like what Uncle Sam has to offer when he steps in or turns his back. Even my old heartless self, does not want to help someone who does not have the desire to help themselves.

Some people want change and they are willing to except the status quo,while others go the distance. Just going against the grain with my usual fashion, with honor,loyality and integrity. Words,just mere words,to most people these days.

One question. Who ... has made one effort for change in the subject of crime.

Hundreds of people have made an effort in the past year, via Crime Stoppers USVI.

I and a couple of dozen other people have made an effort, by volunteering thousands of hours to organize Crime Stoppers USVI. They pay no salaries.

USVI residents have made an effort, by sending in 508 anonymous tips in 2009 about criminal activity to Crime Stoppers USVI. That was more than twice the expected number of tips for the first year of operation, and those tips led to 75 arrests including 13 fugitives, 40 illegal weapons recovered, and $47,061 in cash rewards approved.

The media have made an effort, by publicizing the weekly print and audio releases from Crime Stoppers USVI, requesting tips about specific crimes on each island. The volunteers also appear on talk radio and TV to publicize the program.

The VIPD and other law enforcement agencies have made an effort, by committing with Crime Stoppers USVI to investigate each tip.

Hundreds of members, donors and sponsors have made an effort, by supporting Crime Stoppers USVI financially.

Crime Stoppers USVI launched in January 2009. Through the program, people can send anonymous tip about criminal activity. If the information leads to an arrest, recovery of stolen property, illegal drugs or guns, they can earn a reward of up to $2500 paid in cash. A conviction is not required. Although $47,061 in cash rewards were approved last year, only $18,887 were claimed, because people are more interested in getting their information to law enforcement than they are about getting money. Crime Stoppers lets you submit your information anonymously, without fear of retribution. The program is working and getting results.

If you're living in the USVI, you hopefully are familiar with the program by now (before reading this).

More info is at http://www.crimestoppersusvi.org/ . The support of new members is welcome.

STXBob, I have seen the articles in the past. I am glad to hear it is doing so well. I like a few other on here, shall we say have been chastised,for voicing an opinion and yes we all know what opinions are usually compared to. Upon my permanent arrival to St Croix ,I look forward to what ever I can do to make it a safer place. If that means being a part of and supporting crime stoppers,then that is what it shall be.

I in no way support taking the law into your own hands,when there are ways to assist the local authorities. At the same time I don't support the thugs by turning the other cheek,rolling over and taking the beating they may want to hand out. Like I said earlier,you can't win all fights and sometimes it is best to be a good witness. Bob I realize most who would take offense to the things I say on this board, more than likely do not support crime stoppers either. My intention was not to single handily correct all of the ills on island,my name is not Jesus and I am not a savior. I look forward to helping crime stoppers any way that I can in the future. Keep doing what you all are doing and please be safe out there.

STX Bob, thanks for all you and Crime Stoppers have done and are doing. CS was just what the islands needed.

I just joined.

Chockman, I have no problem with your opinions, and I am glad you asked if anybody is doing anything about crime, as Crime Stoppers is probably the best private anti-crime initiative anywhere, with 1200 chapters worldwide, and it's a good way for concerned citizens to make a significant difference.

Bombi, thanks for joining Crime Stoppers.

Thanks Bob. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

I hate hearing all these stories. I too had a backpack stolen out of the back of a friends car at Rainbow. Luckily there wasn't anything of value in it and a friend of mine randomly found it by a tree in the same parking lot two weeks later and returned it to me. Everything in the bag was returned safely but it's still annoying.

Update on the bag stolen from Rainbow beach.
The bag was found in front of The Sand Bar. The owner went thru the bag and found a phone # to call the owners of the bag.
I was called to go pick up the bag and to send it back to the owner. We went to the Sand Bar and Thanked them for taking the time to get this bag back to it's owner. We had lunch and drinks that day to show them that it pays to be a good citizen. The phone and the camera were gone but her drivers license, credit card and binoculars were still in the bag. The owners of the bag are very happy to get some of there personal items back.
Again, Thank You John & Willis at the Sand Bar for taking the time to find the owners of the bag.
BTW, Rhythms was telling patrons to watch there stuff or leave it behind the bar.

Someone should invent a beach "safe". Like a lockable bag made of real tough material and a cable that can lock around a grapetree or even a chair leg in an airport etc...*-)

@SkysTheLimit - Are you thinking about something like this?

http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/pacsafe-duffelsafe-p-847.html?osCsid=b7bba2931f9bc8300e5fc9582a366943

Wow! That is precisely what we need here! We gotta import those!

TNEMIG

Someone beat me to another great invention!! That's exactly what I was imagining. Darn!!

I drilled down and got prices. They start at $89 and go up to $189.

So for the price of a camera you can have peace of mind at the beach. Maybe someone should rent these out like beach chairs.
The exploding dye pac with video camera could be optional:D

Interesting beach safe that was mentioned below. I tool a look around that website and see that have all kinds of items that can be used to lock things down on the beach, in your vehicle, in the hotel, even on boats.

Here are a few items I found:

TravelSafe. This is small bag about the size of a shoe bag that has a steel mesh inside the canvas bag. The bag cinches shut with a built in steel cable so you can lock the bag down to a beach chair, tree, or other stationary device. See video

DaySafe - This is a day pack that has a built in removable safe, like the one above but larger. The days pack strap even has a shoulder strap that can be disconnected and routed thru an object. It looks like the bag is in two sizes. See video

TravelSafe 20L - This is a bag that you can place inside another bag that you already own and allows it be be locked down. See video.

StuffSafe - This is a waterproof bag - kinda like a duffel bag, that has the steel mesh so the bag cant be cut, but allows it to be locked down. Looks like it would be good for scuba gear.

Beach Safe - This is a cheaper, plastic version for what it looks like - I bet it would do the job it you were close by like at a pool. See video

Other Mobile Safes. The website seem to have many types of other mobile security products - even cut proof tie down straps for surfboards and scuba gear. I have not seen those before. The last item I thought was interesting was a hotel safe lock so you can keep out anyone with a master key from going into your hotel safe when you are away.

At least we know we have options for safeguard our gear. It's a shame that we have to use stuff like this - but crime happens anywhere in the world. You will always have a small percentage of people who spoil it for the rest of us.

Hope some of these ideas help.

Very cool products. The cost would be worth a lifetime of piece of mind. I hope I remember this post in the future as a reference.
I have seen post on here concerning your suitcases going through Airports and the fact that things have came up missing at the end of your flight. This as well would aggravate me to no end.We just purchased "TSA" approved locks for our suitcases. TSA is supposedly the only people who have a key that fits these locks,so a baggage handler should not be able to gain access. Just a little extra insurance for those of you who may travel with things of value that you want to protect.

Take a look at this cool strap that lets you lock your zippers with your TSA lock. Any baggage handler can open luggage zippers without opening the lock. Watch this video of the Secure Tag Zipper Luggage Lock

Beach Bum David ! All I can say is damn good video,thanks.