Crime in St. Thomas

You have seemed ro answer your own question. Just have to be careful where you go.
As far as your looks, aside from the giggling, you will fit right in, there are plenty of you guys around with dreadlocks, both white and black!
Ronnie

Terrence,

As Ronnie mentioned - lots of folks both white and black with dreadlocks. Fairly common in the USVI. If the locks are well kept/clean you won't get any reaction at all, because it isn't unusual for people (male, famale, kids to have them). If they are a mess, colored green or purple or something people will notice. On the other end of things, some people might say "oh who does he think he is", since you are white with locks - but really would not be overly concerned about this.

As for crime. Sure it exist. I have recommended visitors use caution when walking around Charlotte Amalie at night AND added that I do not mean the whole of Charlotte Amalie - because it is a big area, but certain areas of Charlotte Amalie that are visably not welcoming areas particularly at night, they might be very poorly lit, might be poorly kept.... Waterfront is part of Charlotte Amalie but has lots of commercial activity and is well lit, cars go by, restaurants, people ... sure visit there at night - there are several great restaurants and bars, but again in general don't go strolling through town at 1 or 2am alone - I would have to ask "where are you going? or "what are you looking for particularly if you were strolling around the alleys and little roads?"

Being aware like you said you are at home, knowing where to go and not to go, and paying attention is the same case here.

--Islander

Terrance,

Islander makes a good point re. the dreadlock issue.
With respect to the response you may receive, there is a distinction between punk-rock locks (green, magenta, mohawk locks, etc.), Rasta dreadlocks and "other locks."
We have a sizeable Rasta pop. and there are several folks on the isle, white and black (myself included), who wear the "other locks." I have also seen a few tweenies sporting the punk-rock locks, who I imagine b/c of their youth enjoy being ogled.

Thus far noone has asked me if I want to buy marijuana or assumed I was Rastafarian (which I am not), even though 10 years ago, when I had my first round of locks and I was going to school in the Northeast, people constantly assumed that I was the resident "stoner." That, of course, raises all kinds of issues re. race and cultural stereotypes...But I digress.

As for crime, I consider the crime on STT, comparable to any major urban center. As long as you don't put yourself in harm's way, no harm will come to you. That is, try to avoid drug transactions and places of ill-repute. You can still have a grand time in the evening...check out the Green House, Off Shore, Shipwreck Tavern, and Duffy's.

I lived in St. Thomas for several years, and I am a white female..I never noticed that crime was any worse there than a city of comparable size. If there are places you wouldn't walk around at home at night, then remember that there are places that you shouldn't walk around at night there, too. Be on your guard. Just remember that not EVERYONE is on vacation, and you will be fine. Be mindful of being polite (which is one thing I LOVED about living there, you can't pass by someone without getting a "Good Morning, Good Afternoon, or Good Night"), when you go into "town" be dressed for the weather, but be DRESSED (as in don't walk into town in just your bathing suit and flip flops...very tacky. I used to absolutely cringe watching cruise ship people come into town practically naked, and they wondered why they weren't treated very nicely by the shop keepers. Does the word "DUH" mean anything to them?)

To be quite honest, I never locked my door at night (never felt the need), and rarely locked my car door. The latter probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but like Islander said, in town at night is a busy place. SOMEONE is going to notice.

Have fun!

I just moved here 1 month ago and as Heather said someone will notice if you don't lock your doors. I had my apartment broke into while I slept and had a laptop some cash and a bag full of my work equipment stolen. I didn't lock my screen door when I slept and so when I awoke in the morning I realized what was missing at that whoever did it was long gone. I now lock my doors. Other then that, I feel safe walking at night and I don't think anyone with dreads even gets second look around here, at least not by me. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Good luck.

Don't mean to be an alarmist, MD, but were you sleeping INSIDE your apartment when it was robbed? If so, ever considered a dog? It doesn't have to be a typical guard dog either. Between the Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mixes that live upstairs and my Aussie Shep mix, we know whenever anyone sets foot on the property. You could adopt a dog from the shelter--get a new best friend and an alarm. Just a thought.

BTW, welcome to the island and I hope that we see you at the STT/STJ gathering in the works.

Thanks Everyone for your thoughts.
lol
Im not a punk rocker. My dreads are my natural brown hair color, no dyes or anything like that.