Need new Police Chief

"We obviously see things from different sides of the fence. I have worked in those islands you mentioned and I can tell you that the big difference lies in either two things - incentives from the government and/or the hospitability of the local people. In those other islands, they always act like they're glad to have you. Not so on St Croix, where they're always afraid the whites will take over. And if you're going to tell me that this island has excellent customer service, you're a minority. I was on a plane flying out of STX when a woman passenger swore she would never return to St Croix where her parents were born (she now resides in GA). She had a long litany of the incompetence and rudeness she encountered.
St Croix has a lot of growing up to do in the area of tourism and customer service in general. And I will let the displaced HOV workers that they're not really suffering and should not be worried. Most of them are leaving the island anyway."

We don't see things so differently...you are quite correct in your observations about customer service and the need for St. Croix to "grow up".
And I agree that we need to get rid of the "us versus them" mentality which is very counterproductive.

There is a vast difference in the hospitality on the other islands. On St. Croix, you can go into a store every day for years and the clerks will still be nasty to you.

Where we differ is on the topic of HOVENSA, and refineries in general. I happen to think that they should ALL be shut down, and that we, as humans, should stop pumping the lifeblood out of our Mother. We have NO idea why the oil is where it is, but we know that Mother Nature, or God, or whatever you want to call it, put that substance we call "oil" there for a reason, and the reason was NOT so that we could pump it out and put it into cars and factories. We should not cut down the trees in the Amazon rain forests, and we should not pump the oil out of the earth, and we should not use hydraulic "fracking" to create fissures in rocks in order to extract gas. The trees take in the CO2 that we exhale and produce oxygen, which we obviously can't live without. Fossil fuel abuse and misuse is causing global warming, although many deny it...we shall see. Fracking is known to cause earthquakes...what did they think would happen when they started creating fissures in rocks deep in the earth? Stability?

These are all practices driven by greed, and the human race will pay a huge price for our mistakes.

I apologise for any unintentional offense...I actually agree with you otherwise.

JahRustyFerrari,
I applaud you, I am sure you are doing your part by not having any children ( overpopulation).
Not driving or riding in a car / airplane /boat {unless it is a paddle boat that is not made of wood , metal, or plastic} (oil).
Not using anything made of plastic (oil),. Not using any fire to cook or heat with ( oil, trees).
Not using electricity ( they have to use oil /wood/ or coal to produce it, unless you are near a large dam).
Not using the telephone ( they have to use electricity to make the phone lines available).
You are letting down mother earth by using the internet as it takes electricity to operate, plastic to make the computer, and oil to transport it to where it was purchased). Not using anything made from concrete (they use electricity to make it and vehicles to move it).
I'm sure that you don't smoke, even pot as the burning of anything will add to the global warming.

Did you know that one of the BIG selling points of the early automobile was pollution control.
Can you picture the tons of horse / oxen sh*t on the streets, number of dead or dying animals that had to be picked up daily that were left in the streets or roadways, in the big cities? The sickness caused but the flies and other insects around all of the living animals and dead animals.
For every, problem there is a solution that in time creates another problem. When they came out with the catalytic converter, it caused a type of acid (don't remember which one, maybe sulfuric) to be put in the air.

I read this thread yesterday and have to say, it's been bothering me ever since.

The originator of the thread stated that locals are responsible for crime. Followed immediately by another with "that's racist". As a person who married outside my race and raised 5 college educated highly contributing offspring I am disgusted! I am sick and tired of the race card being pulled out at every turn. It does nobody any good and is used more often than not to deflect from the issue being brought to the table.

Last time I checked we are all free to state our opinions and to disagree with others but being offended is a personal problem. Anyone can choose to be offended or not. It is not someone else's responsibility to change their behavior or opinion so as not to "offend" us. That is our right and our responsibility.

I would suggest giving statistics and examples as to why the persons point is wrong rather than the age old counterproductive scream "that's racist". Bill Cosby is setting the best example, what a classy gentleman!

I am still wondering if the original poster had a point or not, the thread seems to cover a lot of other material but does not address the police chief specifically with any type of data. Is there cronyism and protecting of friends? Is a blind eye being turned?

I have no vested interest other than information as I do not live there but, it was brought up and I would love to know. We lived in the Philippines for awhile and the corruption and cronyism was astounding, I would be saddened to see the like in the VI.

I read this thread yesterday and have to say, it's been bothering me ever since.

The originator of the thread stated that locals are responsible for crime. Followed immediately by another with "that's racist". As a person who married outside my race and raised 5 college educated highly contributing offspring I am disgusted! I am sick and tired of the race card being pulled out at every turn. It does nobody any good and is used more often than not to deflect from the issue being brought to the table.

Last time I checked we are all free to state our opinions and to disagree with others but being offended is a personal problem. Anyone can choose to be offended or not. It is not someone else's responsibility to change their behavior or opinion so as not to "offend" us. That is our right and our responsibility.

I would suggest giving statistics and examples as to why the persons point is wrong rather than the age old counterproductive scream "that's racist". Bill Cosby is setting the best example, what a classy gentleman!

I am still wondering if the original poster had a point or not, the thread seems to cover a lot of other material but does not address the police chief specifically with any type of data. Is there cronyism and protecting of friends? Is a blind eye being turned?

I have no vested interest other than information as I do not live there but, it was brought up and I would love to know. We lived in the Philippines for awhile and the corruption and cronyism was astounding, I would be saddened to see the like in the VI.

Finally someone who gets it.

Thanks for this.

(tu)

CD

I posted this thread to bring attention to the high crime rate in the VI. As a outsider looking in it is probably none of my business . Even though we have visited numerous times and probably be relocating shortly.My concern is crime, everyone has it. From some of the answers i received i need to buy a large dog maybe two, Burglar bars, security system, a talking parrot , don't rent near Bunker street we call it little Baghdad, but please don't bring a gun for self defense. I cant go out past 9pm at night, sounds a lot like many other places i have been. Folks i know you live in paradise most of the time and tend to say o well its part of living in paradise. A big portion of the islands income is Tourism please don't take this for granted take care of one of your natural resources, its your income and life blood of the islands. You can bet other islands are watching carefully. You are living the American Dream that 99 percent of folks would give every thing they own to be able to do. Not one person addressed the problem or offered any solutions to high crime rate and what can be done. They seem to be more content to fall off Turnip Trucks or should we say Mango Trucks to be politically correct.

Not one person addressed the problem or offered any solutions to high crime rate and what can be done. They seem to be more content to fall off Turnip Trucks or should we say Mango Trucks to be politically correct.

Which sort of comment is precisely why many of us choose not to enter such discussions raised by people who don't even live here but presume from afar that from what they've read we're a bunch of bumbling idiots.

WOW Mytcar34.

The post was fine until you hit the last line. I don't know if you were purposely being rude but you did a good job of it. I have traveled extensively and have seen true crime problems along with corruption. I always believe however, I am the visitor and need to respect the people that live where I am travelling. If you are looking at relocating with that attitude, I don't see it going well. Why would you even want to if that is how you feel?

I don't think that just because you are buying a piece of paradise that it gives you a right to be condescending to the people that live there no matter how odd the attitudes may seem to you.

Keep in mind that most of the world see American tourists as self absorbed rude jerks and in comparison, they may be right.

Yes there is a high crime rate in the USVI, probably higher than most places.
Luckily we have not had any problems yet.
We don't party late at night and are a little more careful of our surroundings than when in AZ.
Part of the problem with any island, there are only so many roads. Here in AZ I can go for months / years without going into a "bad" area of town. On a small island to get from one end or area to another you may have to go into or through the "bad" area.
They other thing that I noticed is that the paper reports all of the bad things that go on. Here in Phoenix, only the REALLY bad stuff get reported. So while it probably is "safer" here in AZ, it really feels like it because I don't read about everything that goes on.
I have never lived in a small town but I would think it would be the same as in the USVI, they report everything!
AM I content with the crime in the USVI, NO!!!

I was quoting another post that he refer ed to as falling off a Turnip truck, and he lives in the VI. I was not being rude it was his words not mine but he also called me racist but i suppose that is OK. and Old Tart you should know better as much great advise as you give us new guys. Still no ones has addressed crime in the VI except for one post.

It is very obvious when you make these statements. "It is the local island folks that are doing the crime not the great people who have relocated to the islands over the years." It doesn't take a genius to figure who you are talking about. You think I fell off a turnip truck?

NoOne: Rodney Querrard has retired.

He seems very knowledgeable i hope he did not fall off a Turnip truck

I was quoting another post that he refer ed to as falling off a Turnip truck, and he lives in the VI. I was not being rude it was his words not mine but he also called me racist but i suppose that is OK. and Old Tart you should know better as much great advise as you give us new guys. Still no ones has addressed crime in the VI except for one post.

Oh I do, I do which is precisely why I made the comment.

Okay, here is my opinion about how to begin addressing crime:
First, enforce the laws on the books. Second, clean up the streets and neighborhoods. Third, increase the number of two-parent homes.

I agree 100 percent i think you covered it completely. I think probably everyone here agrees with you at least i hope so. I hope everyone stays safe and stays happy and good luck.

Federal authorities supposedly say that St Croix is in the top ten most dangerous places in the world. THE WORLD. Apparently, there are highly organized crimes involved in drug trafficking that's taking advantage of the mostly unguarded beaches. The Coast Guard can't do much. But these type of crimes typically involve only police and the criminals themselves. Some innocents get caught in the crossfire, obviously.
The most that we are bothered about are the petty criminals, and it's getting more rampant even in guarded communities. These petty thiefs are bolder, getting inside houses even when residents are there, stealing food, cash left on the table, anything that's easy to carry. If they're able to get their car close by, they may even get your TVs. Also, in Questa Verde, there were cars stolen right there from their private parking lot, and this is a guarded (?) community. It's not possible to see these cars anymore as they are stolen mostly for parts. If you are a member of some crime-watch movement, you will have access to pictures of these thiefs as they are mostly repeat offenders. One picture was circulated on Facebook and the mother turned the kid in. These are mostly young locals, based on pics.
The government has cut down the budget for most departments, including VIPD, so the police resorted to asking private and non-profit organizations to help them raise funds to purchase necessary equipment. but they got bigger crimes on their plate so it's up to the residents to be cautious.

Federal authorities supposedly say that St Croix is in the top ten most dangerous places in the world. THE WORLD.

Please provide a link verifying this. Thanks.

A quick Google search lead me to two interesting lists of the top ten most dangerous places on earth, St Croix was not mentioned in either.

http://listverse.com/2008/04/08/top-10-most-dangerous-places-on-earth/

http://www.gunslot.com/blog/top-ten-10-most-dangerous-places-world

A quick Google search lead me to two interesting lists of the top ten most dangerous places on earth, St Croix was not mentioned in either.

http://listverse.com/2008/04/08/top-10-most-dangerous-places-on-earth/

http://www.gunslot.com/blog/top-ten-10-most-dangerous-places-world

You can google 'til the cows come home and St Croix won't come up which is why I asked that the poster who made such a ridiculous assertion provide a link. I'm eagerly awaiting a response as I'm sure many of us are. Total hogwash.

There have been 13 homocides this year on each island. Wikipedia maintains a current list of countries by intentional homocide rate. They don't have a specific entry for the VI, we are apparently rolled in with the rest of the USA (which is odd because the US breakdown includes PR and Guam.) If you look at the most recent data from sttsource, we're on pace for 52 homocides this year. That should be good for around 5th or 6th most dangerous place in the world. If you want to break them down by Island (kind of ridiculous since every entry on this list is an entire country that we're measuring ourselves up against, not a specific tiny part of it) we'd both end at 26 which will put us each solidly in the top 15.

I haven't seen a specific list that lists us (and give me a break, the two quoted are obviously dubious) but any way you slice it, the facts aren't pretty. That all said, I have rarely been in a situation where I felt like I was in real danger. It really does seem to be mostly gang-member on gang-member or the result of people getting into fights late at night in clubs or something. But then again, last year I had a close personal friend shot to death when he got out of his car at his apartment after work, so who knows.

I think the whole "it's just gang members (bad boys) killing each other off 'mindset'", perpetuates the problem. Everytime someone is murdered whether an Innocent 'catching a stray', a good Samaritan, a witness, mistaken identity, tempers rising, or a drug dealing animal a little bit of of all us dies violently. We are all in the same boat and we will never get anywhere unless we, as a community, row in the same direction. Crime in the VI is out of hand and will only get worse if we continue to dismiss facts and point fingers.

So so sorry about your friend train. So very sad. I know the pain. I know many in the teritory who've been effected in some way by violence--either personally or by association....and most of them don't post on this board.

Since I made the statement I must write again. It was a plain and simple statement where Mytcar34 was saying that he was not racist.
When a person says: "It is the local island folks that are doing the crime not the great people who have relocated to the islands over the years." What does he or she mean?
This is why I wrote:"It doesn't take a genius to figure who you are talking about. You think I fell off a turnip truck?"
If they think the local island folks are doing the crime. they ought to look further. Read the newspaper, see what's happening, then make your statement.

I was born in St. Thomas, a fourth generation Virgin Islander. (a local island folk) I have seen the changes for the past 40 years. I shudder at the next. We need, as East Ender said, the laws on the books to be enforced. Mayor Giuliani cleaned up NY City by just enforcing the laws on the books that were ignored. It led to an understanding that there is a new sheriff in town and he isn't standing for anything anymore. No one here has the balls to do it. No police, No commissioner, whether local of statesider, no Governor, no Senator. JMHO

Well said ronnie!(tu)

Federal authorities supposedly say that St Croix is in the top ten most dangerous places in the world. THE WORLD.

Please provide a link verifying this. Thanks.

I can't, that's why I said 'supposedly'. This was a comment posted by someone claiming to be communicating with an FBI agent. The exact position is '8th most dangerous', but I will claim this is hearsay. Apparently, gun/drug smuggling here is a big issue for the feds but I know that they are in touch with the local police on crimes affecting stateside.

I was born in St. Thomas, a fourth generation Virgin Islander. (a local island folk) I have seen the changes for the past 40 years. I shudder at the next. We need, as East Ender said, the laws on the books to be enforced. Mayor Giuliani cleaned up NY City by just enforcing the laws on the books that were ignored. It led to an understanding that there is a new sheriff in town and he isn't standing for anything anymore. No one here has the balls to do it. No police, No commissioner, whether local of statesider, no Governor, no Senator. JMHO

I lived in all three islands, and one thing that most crime perpetrators have in common is that they have big families, know a lot of people protecting them. The same big families electing the public officials, working in government offices, and know almost everybody. It is hard to penetrate these close family ties. Do you all recall the shooting of at least two young men witihn the last six months and the disappearance of another? Promising young adults. And when I went to the bank or the grocery store and listen to discussions, you hear the folks talk in terms of family names involved and how there will be retaliation.

I posted this thread to bring attention to the high crime rate in the VI. As a outsider looking in it is probably none of my business . Even though we have visited numerous times and probably be relocating shortly.My concern is crime, everyone has it. From some of the answers i received i need to buy a large dog maybe two, Burglar bars, security system, a talking parrot , don't rent near Bunker street we call it little Baghdad, but please don't bring a gun for self defense. I cant go out past 9pm at night, sounds a lot like many other places i have been. Not one person addressed the problem or offered any solutions to high crime rate and what can be done. They seem to be more content to fall off Turnip Trucks or should we say Mango Trucks to be politically correct.

It isn't that big of a mystery to be honest. Ronnie is right that there is not a lot of people stepping up to the situtation. The VIPD is understaffed which is part of the problem. Another big problem is the whole relative thing. Some of the people committing the crimes are related to a senator, police officer, etc which pretty much ensures that they are not going to be arrested in many cases. When economic times are tough crime goes up, that isn't just here in the VI but in general. The fact that the VI is in the middle of a lot of smuggling routes is also a big problem.The local PD needs help but doesn't want to relinquish power to the feds except where they have to. I know that people have mixed views on capital punishment but maybe the VI needs to put some capital statutes on the books. Live by the gun, die by the needle so to speak.

Also to be honest there is nothing "politically correct" with the turnip/mango truck statement, replacing one person isn't a magical answer that is going to turn the situtation around......

Yes the police is a problem but so are the courts. Look at the guy in STT that was arrested for automatic weapons, drugs (?) and since his mother was high up in the government, he walked with a slap on the wrist.