Late Night Muggings at Gov't Lot in C'Sted

Why does it seem to be lost on authorities that this is the "government lot." I mean, come on. IMO, it's like someone robbing people outside a federal building. Doesn't the GSA/Feds feel a responsibility to keep this lot safe? And, if they can't keep it safe 24/7, maybe parking should not be permitted in the middle of the night?????

GSA, Feds ?? are you even slightly serious ? If parking is not allowed who would be there to enforce it anyway?

GSA, Feds ?? are you even slightly serious ? If parking is not allowed who would be there to enforce it anyway?

Yes, I suppose slightly, or as serious as I can get ... If the lot is intended to provide parking for government workers during the regular day, why not just fence it and gate it and lock it up at night? Seems like a fine solution to me if it is becoming a danger zone.

Maybe a misunderstanding of terms. Government lot= Municipal lot.

Maybe a misunderstanding of terms. Government lot= Municipal lot.

Then I do apologize. My understanding of "government lot" was that a lot for government workers in C'sted to park in during the work day. I stand corrected. Nevertheless, even "municipal" connotes under government (of some form) control. Thus, they are responsible for operating it safely (as opposed to a private entity). If they can't operate it safely at 3am, does C'sted really need it???

Jbati, you don't live here do you?

When I went off to war, my dad told me it's really nice to be acquitted by a court martial, but you should never put yourself in a position that makes a court martial possible. This holds true for being a victim of early morning muggings in a dark parking lot. It's nice to get away, but you should never have gotten in that position ALONE in the first place.

Maybe a misunderstanding of terms. Government lot= Municipal lot.

Then I do apologize. My understanding of "government lot" was that a lot for government workers in C'sted to park in during the work day. I stand corrected. Nevertheless, even "municipal" connotes under government (of some form) control. Thus, they are responsible for operating it safely (as opposed to a private entity). If they can't operate it safely at 3am, does C'sted really need it???

*-) Have you ever been to St. Croix? YES....C'sted REALLY needs it....lol.

Jbati, you don't live here do you?

Hiya, you sure?

Your previous post say you are coming in September.

As a card carrying, certifiable (some would argue), resident of St. Croix, I believe that for downtown businesses to succeed we need more safe and secure parking in Christiansted. This should not be a case that just because the sun goes down we turn over the town to the thugs.

NOONE, people said most, not all crime was gang related.

. Thus, they are responsible for operating it safely (as opposed to a private entity). If they can't operate it safely at 3am, does C'sted really need it???

Without looking at your history I'm 100 percent positive by that statement and by the fact you didn't know what the govt lot is, which is by far the largest parking lot downtown.

So let me get this strait, two women after midnight were in a government parking lot in the middle of Christiansted and were robbed, at gun point, and it is their fault, right?

noOne, I went back and read some previous posts, and you aren't as hard nosed on this as you're putting on. YOU even said they 'were not in the projects', at the time it happened. WHAT???.....those poor people who cannot afford to live anywhere else should be subjected to crime because they live in the "Projects". So...you're saying the people, with money, who can afford to go out on the town at night, should be safe in their "city", but the poor folk who depend on government assistance are on their own? They should expect crime in their neighborhood??

See how stupid it sounds?? Stop reading 'between the lines' on every post.

That's okay, I was wondering how old you were that you remember the streets safe for women at night. Wasn't in the 60's, or any time since, so you gotta be older than I thought.

okay, so I guess I know nothing, as told by you regular posters. sorry for suggesting otherwise.

that said, if any parking lot in any city is not safe for people to PAY to park after dark, well, maybe those lots should be fenced off and closed after dark??

but, i guess, i don'f know anything. so tis what tis.

I know you don't want to hear this but you really don't. You will have to get over this is the way things should be to live in the VI. Precious few things are the way they should be. And if you think you're going to come down here and tell the locals what they are doing wrong, well they are definitely not going to thank you for it. Live down here, get to know the locals and how they do things then in a year or two maybe you'll be able to help make things change but don't count on it. Living down here means that most day to day stuff is harder, you don't slow down, you work harder.

jbati, i don't think you have to pay for the parking in the government lot after 6pm. i could be wrong.

regardless, it does not negate the fact that bad people did bad things to two girls who were in a known unsafe area in the early morning hours when they knew there would be no protection. certainly not putting the blame on them but you do have to precautions and be proactive about your own safety.

I know you don't want to hear this but you really don't. You will have to get over this is the way things should be to live in the VI. Precious few things are the way they should be. And if you think you're going to come down here and tell the locals what they are doing wrong, well they are definitely not going to thank you for it. Live down here, get to know the locals and how they do things then in a year or two maybe you'll be able to help make things change but don't count on it. Living down here means that most day to day stuff is harder, you don't slow down, you work harder.

Hiya, the last time I checked, this is a forum on which people get to give their opinion. Do I "think I am going to ... tell locals what they are doing wrong" ... of course not! That said: "this is the way things should be" is an interesting take given that women are being victimized. I don't think it's only a VI problem. Any city where women are being victimized by greedy thugs should at least try to prevent such actions from continuing, don't you agree? That said, I don't think the gov or anyone else are taking their cues from this forum. You know, I honestly think that you and I probably aren't too far off in terms of where we land on this issue. I think the problem may be in the communication.

ALL of that said, sorry for taking this thread so far OT.

***Edited to add "only" before VI ...

First off, you wouldn't be by yourself in a city like New York or Chicago or even on a college campus in the states. Just because this is a "Tourist" Island doesn't automatically make it safe. Do I feel bad for her, NO! If it was a friend or relative, I'd still say WTF were you thinking. If you can't be responsible for your own safety, stay home! Is it right? NO. WIll it change? NO. Not in my lifetime. Adapt and overcome!

There are a lot of small cities of 50k population or less, very proud of their much lower crime rates. I wonder how low their crime rates would stay if their weather was 85 degrees year round, and two million drunk, careless tourists wandered around like it's summer camp all year round, minus curfew and minus counselors. The crime rates in those stateside towns would skyrocket if they had the same conditons as are found here.

i dont think the weather has as much to do with the crime rate as you think. i think it has to do with morals and family first and foremost

A couple things:

I don't trust the government lot at night. Not at all -- never have. It's too isolated after dark. Always better to wait until you can find a spot on a busy street like Company or Queen Cross.

While the blame certainly goes to the thugs, it's still prudent to have an escort walk you to your car, especially if you're a woman and it's late. That's just common sense.

There is a simple "solution" to the parking problem on most nights. It used to be that the taxi parking on King street didn't extend all the way to the corner of Queen cross street after 7pm. About 3 years ago this changed, the signs that had said "Taxi parking xam-7pm" were replaced with "Taxi Parking Only" signs for the whole length of the block whereas in the past only a small subsection were "Taxi Parking Only" at all times. This entire strip of what would be relatively safe parking right on the main drag in Christiansted goes unoccupied with the exception of those brave enough to face the risk of a ticket (or towing but unlikely). Many risk it but many also get tickets. This is absurd, no taxi's ever populate those spots after 7pm. On some nights this strip alone wouldn't be enough but on many it would be.

A police patrol at government lot would also make sense. Maybe keep the lot open for $1/hour at night to pay for the patrol. If we had true "local" government in the VI like we do in the states where there was a "mayor" and town council of Christiansted I think you'd see this sort of stuff get done. As it stands the ineffectual single tiered system is a failure when it comes to dealing with the all important local issues that affect us residents day to day.

Sean