Crime in Our Community

What type of crime is the most common on STJ? Random?

As is true everywhere, the most common types of crimes are criminal-on-criminal, usually drug related and domestic.

That is simply not true. Burgulary, robberies, muggings are all common. The number one violent crime in the islands is rape. Murder used to be criminal on criminal but in the last year they have been killing WAY too many innocents.

For the time being, you have to consider all 3 islands to be a bit like walking through many US cities; you have to keep your head up, be aware of your surroundings and don't go to places likely to be infested with criminals at the wrong time of day, consider anything left in your parked car to be public property. Maintaining a "level 2" awareness...instead of walking around oblivious to your surroundings, you can be pretty safe here.
We came from a mid-west cow town where everyone looks out for each other and respects personal property.We paid a price for our naivete a couple of times before we woke up. City folks, on the other hand, seem to do just fine here most of the time.

Why can't the VI institute capitol punishment; murder rates are low in other Caribbean Islands that have it.

i have no problem with being a "clown" as long as my point is getting across,i feel the same about others on this board,leaving town last night the night slime was out in full force,maybe i care too much about what happens here,thats probably my problem,this is home now,the states is not,lol i need a "cause"

That is simply not true. Burgulary, robberies, muggings are all common. The number one violent crime in the islands is rape. Murder used to be criminal on criminal but in the last year they have been killing WAY too many innocents.

I remember rape being pretty common in the 1980's in STX. I was from New York and it amazed me that I knew of so many girls that were raped there. I was also a bar tender and that nightlife was not exactly the "safest" job in STX. I became so afraid that I left the island. When I came back this summer I did not go out past 8pm and enjoyed the DAY SCENE and the DAY PEOPLE. It was just fine and I loved it.
I also taught Spanish in the public school on STX,,,,for the record I only knew two sentences in Spanish. Needless to say I did not feel comfortable doing that, but they had " no problem" hiring me.
I wanted so much to come back and live for my retirement and maybe volunteer in schools.....but I am single female and that is not smart.....ya know?
Sad but true

my ma was a single mother for a few years before she married my stepfather,she refused any and all government handouts,she worked,put a roof over our heads,food on the table and extended family on weekends,i had a babysitter during the day and her at night.

I still maintain that, as far as sheer numbers are concerned, domestic violence (including all types of crimes by/againast people who know each other) and criminal on criminal crime are most prevalent.

So say we're up to 32 murders this year, which in the past has usually mostly been criminal on criminal. You really really believe we only had 32 bulguries, muggins, robberies, etc?? Do you really live here?

I'm sorry, I must not be mkaing myself clear. What I'm saying is, that if the USVI had 2,000 crimes committed last year (only an example - please!) that the majority of those 2,000 events were either domestic in nature or criminal on criminal.

And yes, as you know, I do live here and have for some 6 years.

Wow I can't believe you believe that. Do you have any idea how many crimes don't even get reported because people don't even want to bother with the police dept? This seems to be about the case for every mugging I hear about. The cops won't come, or the victim go to the police station and there's no one available, etc..

I have a really hard time believing someone who has lived here so long doesn't know what's going on around them. I mean no disrespect but I'm really shocked by what you are saying.

Then I'll quit expressing my opinion, I certainly don't intend to shock -- only discuss.

That is simply not true. Burgulary, robberies, muggings are all common.

This is true. Burglary, robbery, assault, and larceny are the most common felonies in the territory.

The number one violent crime in the islands is rape.

This is not. The opposite is true. Of the major violent felonies, homicide is the least common and rape is a close second.

It's sounds like some people are still trying to sugar coat the level of violent crime and corruption. Stop tolerating and trying to make it sound like "it ain't so bad".

The island is not safe. Nobody is held accountable, and why should they be??? It sounds like they have plenty of people who are willing to find excuses and justify the sorry state of the island.

As long as this mentality exists, enjoy the status quo.

Sigh.

and so Uttica,i gotta know why you think i'm a clown is a)because i'm gay,b)because i like to gossip and tell stories,c)because i like to talkshit and stir the pot,d)you're in love with me or e)you're jealous,lol marlene and her husband were in a couple of nights ago and as they were leaving he told me to be good and i laughed and said i'm always good i'm a good boy and he laughed back and said i see the look in your eyes and no you're not and i laughed some more and off they went waving as they walked away.oh and f i forgot f)i say out loud what alot of people think

I have been awakened from the depths. NOW let 's get to it... From reading everyone's posts on this particular subject it seems to me that the person most bitter and out of touch as to what is going on, on the island is you, "Betty". Why are you calling for the FEDS? If they are already here and they are not doing anything for the betterment of this island in the things that the have control right now? Why would you want to give the additional responsibilities?

I know the answer that you will give. They are not cross- trained with the Virgin Islands Law so they can't do anything. By the way -How long have you lived here? To make you such a KNOW IT ALL!!! It is easy to blame the VIPD for everything that is going on right now, but I can tell you that the FEDS were here during Hurricane Hugo and the only thing that they did was to oppress and beat people -Black and White alike, and then go back to their rightful jurisdiction. The local populous complained to the VIPD as to white 6 foot + Caucasian males beating on them for just merely sitting in front of their residences.

I truly don't know where you, "Betty" are getting your stats??? Most of the crimes that are taking place that you can say are criminal on criminal are for control of areas for them to sell narcotics, and Yes! there is a high domestic violence issue as well. You have to understand that most of the other crimes are crimes of opportunity and not design.
For example: Burglaries are mostly landscapers, you may have a good company but the people they hire may not be.

Why doesn't everyone take a break and go out and have fun with family and friends and leave the media frenzy alone. I know the answer to that question. We can't go out without getting robbed or shot, but are you truly going to subject yourself to a prison called home. It is very sad as to what happened to Peter, but there is nothing that we can do to bring him back among us, or the other victims of crime. The only thing that we can do is to try to a live the life that he lived with his memories in mind.

Uh oh...

wheres the soundtrack from the movie JAWS when you need it? LOL

Hey Sharkhunter,
That's funny I was here before, during and after Hugo. The VIPD, The VI National Guard couldn't handle the "all out break down of law and order" on St Croix. The US Army was brought in to take control, and they (US Army Federal Troops) did an excellent job "FAST". If someone had a can of whoop ass opened on them TB, They weren't just sitting on their front porch.

damn it it's all about me right now

Whoop Ass, I haven't heard that in a while. When I was 12 my friends and I would trespass on this farmers land. He was so angry and threatened to shoot us if we cut through his pasture anymore. He had complained to our parents and we all got whipped and told not to trespass anymore. Being the brain damaged a holes that we were we continued. We decided to cut through his pasture one day and here he comes in a pickup truck chasing us down. Then we saw the shotgun hanging out the window. We all started running and screaming knowing that we were going to die. Then we heard the shotgun blast and I went down with a backside full of rock salt. I was sure I was dying. My friends dragged me the last few feet and threw me over the fence and then carried me home to my mom. I was crying like a baby. She took one look and said it looks like someone opened a can of Whoop Ass on you. She then beat me again for good measure before digging the rock salt out of me.

trw, aint nothing about you right now.:D

lol