Is there that much crime?

Right now both islands (St. Thomas and St. Croix that is... it's my impression that St. John never has much crime to speak of) are experiencing somewhat of a spike in crime. An article in the VI Daily News mentioned 14 assaults in STX and 5 in STT last week alone. To me, those numbers are cause for alarm, yet for the most part I do not feel unsafe when going about my business here on St. Thomas. It should be noted also that this is a spike in crime, which is partially due to the poor economy at the moment (anyone know if the poor economy the papers mention is the same downturn the US as a whole is experiencing, or is it more the annual cycle that results from having fewer tourists in the summer?).

As many have said before, the crime patterns here are pretty predictable in terms of time and location, though there are odd exceptions you hear about that don't fit that pattern. Generally speaking, it's smart to avoid walking around at night in town unless you are going to a restaurant or bar along the waterfront. The red light district is known as the Savan, and is located west of the downtown shopping area, behind the Holiday Inn Windward Passage hotel. I have never been there but have been told to avoid it whatever the time. There are parts of Back St. (which runs behind Main St.) that should also be avoided, yet there are other parts which seem quite safe.

As for other parts of the island, I read about a lot of crimes being committed in Smith Bay and Bovoni, yet I have never had reason to walk around these areas since there aren't many businesses there except for small local restaurants and bars. It surprised me to read that a man was held up while filling his tank at the Smith Bay Texaco recently, yet the article also stated that he had $5,000 in the trunk, so like many of the assaults and robberies on St. Thomas he was probably known to his assailants, i.e. it was not a random stick up.

I mention these specifics not to give certain neighborhoods a bad name, but just so you know that there are areas which tend to have more than their share of crime, so naturally, the rest of the island is probably safer than any statistics would indicate. As long as you stay on the beaten path you'll be fine, and even when you wander off the beaten path you'll probably also be fine.

I want to add that I have lived for brief periods of time in much more dangerous places (including Johannesburg, South Africa) and the crime, and especially one's fear of crime, is nothing here compared to those places. In SA the roads are deserted at night and you are not required to stop at red lights, only pause and keep going. You must always have your wits about you and know exactly where you're going. I've also spent time in Jamaica and while tamer than SA, it is still much more nerve-wracking than I can ever imagine the USVI being. I think the best comparison is to a city in the US: as long as you are street smart and know your surroundings, there is no reason for undue fear or paranoia.

I'll be interested to hear what the other residents think of this assessment. I tried to be more specific than the other crime posts I've read on here. Please don't hate me if you live in Bovoni, Smith Bay or the Savan. I have friends from those places too!

Just a thought, if someone has annual crime figures handy, it would be interesting to see how St. Thomas's crime rate compares to other cities of comparable size.

I'd also be interested in hearing what STX residents have to add. Is the sole reason for the higher levels of crime on STX the lack of cruise ships and tourists? Could there be other factors too?

You might be able to get the stats from the following:

Uniform Crime Reports Contact
Records Bureau Uniform Crime Reports
Virgin Islands Police Department
Criminal Justice Complex
Charlotte Amalie
St. Thomas, VI 00802
(340) 774–2211
Fax: (340) 774–5592

Do you have an email address for the crime reports bureau. where is the best place to live in the island (st. croix)

I am going to live in St. Thomas. Where is the best place to live?

We are moving to STX in the next couple of weeks. We're going to look for places on the east end of the island. We like the high desert climate better than the rain forest of the west end. If you have specific questions you think I might be able to answer, just email me.

The best places to live are relative to the person... I like the northside of St. Thomas... the East End is a great area too - but I don't really like it. I don't like big towns and cities so I don't like Charlotte Amalie to much but there are folks that love town and those who really enjoy Red Hooks convience and happening atmosphere. Some think northside areas are too far from other areas and some say there is too much mositure so things get moldy quickly (never had that problem but others I know do) the west end is to isolated in my opinion but if you want really to be away from things its a good area also. There are a few not so great areas and I think that is what you are asking because of the topic - which areas aren't so great - I think Carib's post really pointed them out. But it must be understood that there are some areas that some locals would tell you to stay out of like Hospital Ground... .however Hospital Ground has two areas sort of... "round the field" and then up on the hillside and its really "round the field" that is more dangerous... the other section is fine. This sort of not so good area and good area being close to each other is not uncommon here.

--Islander

is hospital ground near the hospital?

Hospital Ground is where the old hospital is... the Knud Hassen Complex... the actual hospital Roy Lester Schnieder Hospital is in Sugar Estate

--Islander

But I believe you're looking at the Luis Hospital on St. Croix, so no, different island. I don't know what that area is like.

yes, StX it is.....thanks! You two are like this huge information booth!!!!!! It's great!