crime in usvi

OK fine, this subject is dead to me. I have made my point, as no one disputes 95% of the facts that I have stated. If anyone wishes to dispute these facts, I will be willing to re-enter this discussion. I will ignore any more inflammatory statements towards me - things like "You don't live here so it is none of your business."

To future islanders and tourists: note the amount of denial that most of the people, on this message board at least, are willing to throw at facts of violent crime in the USVI. Do not be fooled, these islands may appear to be Paradise, but there is a very seedy underside that comes with them.

No one is on denial but you! You are part of the problem!!

RL

It just amazes me that anyone would think that the place would be crime free to begin with. Of course there are crimes taking place & of course you should protect yourself as best as possible. There are murders happening every day in my city & numerous scores of pedophiles & other sexual offenders living within a 3 block radius of me. I know where they sell the crack & whatever else. I do not however go to these places nor do I put myself in a position to become a victim of crime. Could I still be a victim someday? Of course, but I am not going to go run into the hills scared out of my mind...I still drive up to Compton, Long Beach & all the other "gang infested" territories~BUT I do watch my back.

*besides I am cordial to all--even the "bad seeds"*

I don't know why so many folks are against noone! He is stating a lot of facts and people need to know what's going on. One of these days, an innocent bystander (if it hasn't happened already) will get caught in the crossfire while at the beach, or at the gas station, or wherever, since these gang criminals are shooting at will, in broad daylight, whenever they see a rival that they want to kill. Once an innocent bystander gets killed, then it won't be so easy for everyone to say "just stay out of bad areas and don't stay out late" and you won't be a victim.

islandjoan said:

"gang criminals are shooting at will, in broad daylight, whenever they see a rival that they want to kill"

Please post a link to stories of occurrences of this type ...I must have missed it on the news.

I've been trying to find the story, but don't you recall the recent shooting near the ballpark in Sion Farm? A man was shot in a truck or a van, there was a woman in the truck and a kid, I think. I think the man was not killed, just injured, and was driven to the hospital. I remember the story clearly but cannot find it online. Also, sometime last year, a man was shot and killed on Centerline Road, right at the entrance to Sion Farm. That was sometime between 5 and 5:30 pm. I cannot find that story either. I'll keep looking. But both were in broad daylight.

Nobody is disputing "noone's" diligent search relating to statistics and nobody is disputing that there is crime here.

What is annoying and is ruffling feathers is that "noone" disparagingly puts down those who have taken the time and effort to respond to his post and keeps re-quoting himself ad nauseum, inferring at the same time that the locals are a bunch of incompetent idiots who cannot read or absorb or understand the written word and are incapable of finding a solution to our community's problems.

He also resents being reminded that he doesn't live here, hasn't for many years and that justification for his posturing and "educated" negativism is the fact that he visits "once in a while," has many friends here and thus apparently knows all that we poor sods are incapable of knowing.

And, by the way "noone," that Magens Bay shooting you referred to most certainly was reported in the media. Guess you'd have to be here to know that.

Trolls will be trolls?

okay...maybe it helps if one does not associate with those who are involved in bad deeds?
It is very sad when someone innocent gets hurt...I know many bloods & crips--I am cool with some..but believe me..I don't associate with them other than hello & goodbye in passing...I don't go anywhere with them, I don't go to their homes nor do I go to their parties. My chances of being hurt would greatly increase if I chose to cavort with these people, but I don't.
Word to the wise...know the people you choose to be around...

*there is still is a chance of being hurt or an innocent bystander...but your chances have become less...the lady with the kid in the car with the man---was he a part of something he should not have been involved in? or was he really & truly innocent?*

islandjoan said:

"I've been trying to find the story, but don't you recall the recent shooting near the ballpark in Sion Farm? "

"right at the entrance to Sion Farm."

...still don't think that particular areas have more potential for "incidents"....???

Does anyone remember Columbine? Jonesboro? Innocents caught unaware in "Utopia" aka Smalltown America. I don't know anything about Columbine, but I know Jonesboro was a sleepy little town until a bunch of elementary kids died or were injured in a broad daylight shooting...by teenagers. Not poor, not involved in a drug deal gone bad - just mean as hell.

The stats are horrid anywhere. Face it, in many ways the islands are paradise...in other ways, they mirror the way the world has become. Warning people that there is crime? Absolutely! Dwelling on it and making it the focus of a 3-page dissertation, the author of which has conveniently bowed out of? Let's let him go. He wants to give stats on criminals, perhaps the very ones that held me at gunpoint, but doesn't want to get involved? I call bull----.

Island Joan, I respect your opinion...but the truth of the matter is, if you aren't in areas that are prone to problems and you aren't out when the scum of the earth is running around, and you DO keep your eyes and ears open, then you've greatly reduced your chances of being another statistic...and that holds true anywhere in the world unless you can buy your own island and live there behind your fortress walls.

Here's an idea...go to the local P.D. Talk with them. Talk with your neighbors about a neighborhood watch. Be vigilant. Be cautious...AND REPORT ANY CRIME YOU PERSONALLY WITNESS IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE THE FORTITUDE TO SEE IT THROUGH. Neighborhood watches have had amazing success stateside, although it was a concept slow to take off. Once one becomes as concerned with his fellow man as himself, good things happen. Even a thug can recognize a watchful eye.

Off the soapbox and back to work.

Here is the story about the shooting at the entrance to Sion Farm.
http://www.onepaper.com/stcroixvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1105682654 The story doesn't say, but I remember distinctly, that the shooting was around 5pm. That particular area is an area that I drive thru every day on the way home from work, since I live in Sion Hill. My point is that innocent people could EASILY have gotten caught in the crossfire. And, to Autumn, even if the guy was part of something he should not have been involved in, innocent bystanders COULD have gotten hurt. That's all I'm trying to say.

Hi islandjoan.

I get your point about innocent bystanders and their risk of getting hurt. Another less popular way to look at the problem is lax drinking and driving laws, which allow many drivers on the road who have compromised faculties. Many folks seem to think it is desirable to provide free rum punch to tourists so that they can unwind before getting behind the wheel and trying to remember to stay left. There are a myriad of ways in which innocent bystanders can become victims of crime and none of those ways are unique to the Virgin Islands.

islandjoan says:

"innocent bystanders COULD have gotten hurt. That's all I'm trying to say."

Innocent bystanders can be hurt by a Vitran bus going out of control...in fact, you stand a greater chance of just such a mishap than you do of getting shot accidentally in a Dodge City, wild west type shootout on our streets.

We do not warn people to beware of Vitran buses, or taxi vans...even though we get out of said taxi vans on the traffic side.

I'm more scared of getting hurt getting out of a taxi van than I am of being shot by a gangsta. Should I warn everyone to avoid riding the taxi vans, and campaign for them to have the doors moved to the other side?

Deal.

"And, by the way "noone," that Magens Bay shooting you referred to most certainly was reported in the media."

OK this is a disputable fact.

I was there for a week afterward, nothing was in the paper.
Location: Magens Bay, at the bathroom.
Date: 05/08/05.
People involved: two West Indians armed with semi-automatic pistols. One uniformed police officer, who interviewed a few people.

Prove me wrong.

Hi noone.

"...this subject is dead to me."

I guess 'tis the season of resurrections 🙂

"OK fine, this subject is dead to me. I have made my point, as no one disputes 95% of the facts that I have stated. If anyone wishes to dispute these facts, I will be willing to re-enter this discussion."

Please read ALL of my message before you call me on the floor dntw8up.

Noone: Why should I have to prove you wrong? I merely pointed out that the shooting incident you mentioned was publicized and, to clarify, I distinctly recall that it was in The Daily News and in quite a big article, at that. It caused a stir because it was the first time in anyone's memory that anything like that had ever happened at Magens Bay.

"Why should I have to prove you wrong?"

How do I prove an absence of information? Do tell.

"I distinctly recall that it was in The Daily News and in quite a big article..."

I searched. If it was such a big deal, then why is it not online? If you "distinctly recall" it now, then why didn't you dispute this before?

Well noone, I said "Hi" to you, I made a joke, I added a smiley face so there couldn't be any doubt, and you're still hostile. I'm sorry you're so unhappy and I hope posting on this board helps you feel better soon.

I agree that if you are so upset about it noone--then report it...even if nothing gets done about it...at least you can say you did your part to try solve the crime.

OK after further research, here is what I found, proving myself wrong to a degree - I could not find anything about it in the online version of the V.I. Daily News:

http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1105684253

nuff said

Matt T said:

"noone cares- lets let it go!"

LOL!! Lovely play on words there...beautiful.

REMINDER: If you don't feed the TROLLS, they will go away.

🙂

I guess Im just bring up a sore subject but I live in Memphis, Tn crime cant that much worse in VI than it is here, we have gang bangers, wanna be gang bangers, all kinds of sexual predators, drugs galore, since we have I40 running right thruogh town and i is aone of the main drugs lines coming out of Texas. What are VI guns laws is there a class or license you can get to carry or do you just have to go back to the 2nd admement. Our Chief of Police has an on campign call bule crush and it is set up for just getting the rouge police officers off the streets and into prison. We had more than our share of croupt politictions. The only way to get away from crime it to find an island that you can be on by yourself.!

What are VI guns laws is there a class or license you can get to carry or do you just have to go back to the 2nd admement.yourself.!

The USVI is governed by the Revised Organic Act, not the U.S. Constitution, and carry permits are difficult to acquire here.