St Croix safety concerns

We do have a high murder rate/crime rate. Most people I know have been victims of some sort of crime whether it was small or big . Most violence is gang and drug related

People do not like to speak out because every one is related or knows someone. Small town living you know.

My hubby is more concerned and cautious than I am.

Just be careful and be aware of what's going on around you and you should be fine for the most part, but that will not make you immune because sometimes the crime follows you home

We do not go to certain areas because of robberies that have happened in the past.

Relaxe and have fun Don't let this worry you too much

It is useless to ask anyone on this board about crime because they will tell you the worst. Apparently, unbeknownst to most of us who go about our mundane daily lives, St. Croix is the most dangerous place on the planet.

If you have a great life already on the mainland, there is no reason to come here. St. Croix cannot compete with the vast resources and opportunities available on the mainland. It always looks more attractive in winter, but once the weather warms up on the mainland there is simply no place that can compete.

This is not a place for everybody. There are many agendas afoot here, and you will see by visiting this board regularly that some of the people who are the worst scare-mongers are not rushing back to the mainland. There are lots of people here who can afford to live anywhere.

It is the same refrain you hear all the time: majority Black population = dangerous and crime-ridden, although they won't say so directly. If you are Caucasian and do decide to move here, you will be encouraged to live "up east" or "North Shore" and away from the "Natives"...thereby creating the same sort of segregated communities that seem to be fashionable elsewhere.

Beware of the scaremongers. Unless you are engaged in gambling or drug-related activities such as cockfighting, horse racing, drug peddling, gun running, or any such activities where a large sum of money is expected to be generated outside of the confines of the law, nobody is going to murder you on St. Croix. The other murders are usually domestic violence. There is an occasional random murder, like everywhere else on earth where humans live. Statistics can be skewered to fit agendas...for example, the thousands of "stand your ground" murders committed in the US are not part of the murder statistics.

Beware of people who try to create polarized communities by directing people of certain demographics to certain areas of a very small community. This breeds resentment among people who basically really want to interact with you. Nobody wants to go into establishments and see only a sea of faces of the same color. The "natives" didn't start that, but they sure as hell resent it.

Most people on St. Croix don't even know that this message board, which is so negative, even exists. I plan to change that, starting with posting the website address on Facebook and asking everyone to share it.

You try to do positive things and people jump on here and tell the world that coming here is akin to landing in Afghanistan...some will even tell you that Afghanistan, Detroit, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco are safer, and that they have NEVER heard of any crimes being committed in those places, and that there is NO methamphetamine crisis in rural communities in America, and that it is perfectly safe to date someone on Craigslist.

I think it is high time the rank and file who live here have a say in what is being presented about our home. There are many sides to every story, and some of the stories posted here need to have another side presented.

Well said Native Son;

Taking advice from any internet site is chancy. I would suggest that you read everything, but disregard the extreme opinions on both ends of the spectrum - "It's paradise, come on down, don't worry, be happy" and "it's a snake pit where all locals hate whites and you'll be murdered in your beds".

I would mention three things - you likely will not command the same salary here as you do in your home town, EVERTHING is more expensive, and please research carefully regarding your sons schooling.

We lived on St. Croix for 8 1/2 years before family problems forced our return to the states. We liked it and would have stayed if circumstances had permitted. Good luck.

Beware of people who try to create polarized communities by directing people of certain demographics to certain areas of a very small community. This breeds resentment among people who basically really want to interact with you. Nobody wants to go into establishments and see only a sea of faces of the same color. The "natives" didn't start that, but they sure as hell resent it.

You are correct that people try to polarize the community but that is done by "locals" too. I am not black and tried to go to 2plus2 one night. I say tried because the "bouncer" refused to let me in. I was dressed nicely, had money for the cover charge but was denied entry with no reason provided. I sat in my car an watched. A couple who was white were also denied entry. When I asked some "local" friends the next day I was told that when certain bands play they won't allow anyone that isn't "local" in. Granted this was years ago but please stop trying to act like the "locals" are "all welcoming" and it's the people from elsewhere that are causing all the issues. I also live in an area where I am the only non-black and have heard many unkind remarks from "neighbors" of mine. I do have other neighbors who are very nice so it's not everyone. When I first moved on this street I made an effort to meet and be kind to every single neighbor and several were very much less than kind. The behavior you describe is attributable to many different groups on this island including "locals".

I liked Native Son's post but I think he had one thing wrong. I think a lot of people are very familiar with this forum judging by how often it comes up in conversation in the groups I hang out with. When I want to know whats really going on, I come here first.

well said divinggirl

native son, whose side do you want to hear when a group of young thugs goes into a local restaurant and shots a person having dinner?

It is useless to ask anyone on this board about crime because they will tell you the worst. Apparently, unbeknownst to most of us who go about our mundane daily lives, St. Croix is the most dangerous place on the planet.

If you have a great life already on the mainland, there is no reason to come here. St. Croix cannot compete with the vast resources and opportunities available on the mainland. It always looks more attractive in winter, but once the weather warms up on the mainland there is simply no place that can compete.

This is not a place for everybody. There are many agendas afoot here, and you will see by visiting this board regularly that some of the people who are the worst scare-mongers are not rushing back to the mainland. There are lots of people here who can afford to live anywhere.

It is the same refrain you hear all the time: majority Black population = dangerous and crime-ridden, although they won't say so directly. If you are Caucasian and do decide to move here, you will be encouraged to live "up east" or "North Shore" and away from the "Natives"...thereby creating the same sort of segregated communities that seem to be fashionable elsewhere.

Beware of the scaremongers. Unless you are engaged in gambling or drug-related activities such as cockfighting, horse racing, drug peddling, gun running, or any such activities where a large sum of money is expected to be generated outside of the confines of the law, nobody is going to murder you on St. Croix. The other murders are usually domestic violence. There is an occasional random murder, like everywhere else on earth where humans live. Statistics can be skewered to fit agendas...for example, the thousands of "stand your ground" murders committed in the US are not part of the murder statistics.

.

except for your statement on stand your ground "murders" (self defense isn't murder), I agree with everything here.

I frequent Williams delight quite often, apparently it's "one of the worst" neighborhoods on STX; granted I do hear gunshots almost nightly from that area, but I know gun fire and the vast majority of the noise is people just shooting at cans or showing off or some other silly behavior, very rarely are there actual gun fights.

I even go to the bush horse races, random people aren't getting robbed and shot there, they are just people too.

My truck did get broken into once when my son left his wallet and cellphone on the front seat ( pretty obvious why) and a horse got stolen from my yard once, but we got him back. that's been the extent of crime I've seen in a year here, and I live out west with the locals, first in La Grange and now in the Carlton area.. west is best!

Just be friendly, treat people like people and there really is no issue; there are challanges here, it's not all roses and 85* weather.

NOW, your hospital idea.... well I'd look a little closer at that hospital, they are having some issues right now that would give me pause.

Beware of people who try to create polarized communities by directing people of certain demographics to certain areas of a very small community. This breeds resentment among people who basically really want to interact with you. Nobody wants to go into establishments and see only a sea of faces of the same color. The "natives" didn't start that, but they sure as hell resent it.

There is definitely a portion of the population that does not like me because I am not local (doesn't matter your race, I work with darker complexion individuals form Florida that get the same "outsider" treatment) I'd say there is an older generation on this island that CAN tend to be a bit anti "outsider"... what this is from I don't know but it definitely happens to me unprovoked.

Your statement above seems a little biased.

It is useless to ask anyone on this board about crime because they will tell you the worst. Apparently, unbeknownst to most of us who go about our mundane daily lives, St. Croix is the most dangerous place on the planet.

If you have a great life already on the mainland, there is no reason to come here. St. Croix cannot compete with the vast resources and opportunities available on the mainland. It always looks more attractive in winter, but once the weather warms up on the mainland there is simply no place that can compete.

This is not a place for everybody. There are many agendas afoot here, and you will see by visiting this board regularly that some of the people who are the worst scare-mongers are not rushing back to the mainland. There are lots of people here who can afford to live anywhere.

It is the same refrain you hear all the time: majority Black population = dangerous and crime-ridden, although they won't say so directly. If you are Caucasian and do decide to move here, you will be encouraged to live "up east" or "North Shore" and away from the "Natives"...thereby creating the same sort of segregated communities that seem to be fashionable elsewhere.

Beware of the scaremongers. Unless you are engaged in gambling or drug-related activities such as cockfighting, horse racing, drug peddling, gun running, or any such activities where a large sum of money is expected to be generated outside of the confines of the law, nobody is going to murder you on St. Croix. The other murders are usually domestic violence. There is an occasional random murder, like everywhere else on earth where humans live. Statistics can be skewered to fit agendas...for example, the thousands of "stand your ground" murders committed in the US are not part of the murder statistics.

.

except for your statement on stand your ground "murders" (self defense isn't murder), I agree with everything here.

I frequent Williams delight quite often, apparently it's "one of the worst" neighborhoods on STX; granted I do hear gunshots almost nightly from that area, but I know gun fire and the vast majority of the noise is people just shooting at cans or showing off or some other silly behavior, very rarely are there actual gun fights.

I even go to the bush horse races, random people aren't getting robbed and shot there, they are just people too.

My truck did get broken into once when my son left his wallet and cellphone on the front seat ( pretty obvious why) and a horse got stolen from my yard once, but we got him back. that's been the extent of crime I've seen in a year here, and I live out west with the locals, first in La Grange and now in the Carlton area.. west is best!

Just be friendly, treat people like people and there really is no issue; there are challanges here, it's not all roses and 85* weather.

NOW, your hospital idea.... well I'd look a little closer at that hospital, they are having some issues right now that would give me pause.

Beware of people who try to create polarized communities by directing people of certain demographics to certain areas of a very small community. This breeds resentment among people who basically really want to interact with you. Nobody wants to go into establishments and see only a sea of faces of the same color. The "natives" didn't start that, but they sure as hell resent it.

There is definitely a portion of the population that does not like me because I am not local (doesn't matter your race, I work with darker complexion individuals form Florida that get the same "outsider" treatment) I'd say there is an older generation on this island that CAN tend to be a bit anti "outsider"... what this is from I don't know but it definitely happens to me unprovoked.

Your statement above seems a little biased.

My family moved here from "down-island", during the 1950's. St. Croix public schools were closed to "down islanders/aliens" until 1968. People from "down-island" were derisively called "aliens"...did they form segregated communities? No, they intermingled, intermarried, mixed. Today you'll find Crucian-Lucian, Crucian-Trini, Crucian-Dominican...all manner of mixed island families.

I object to people of any demographic being directed to stay away from the "Native" population. If that seems biased, so be it.

Beware of people who try to create polarized communities by directing people of certain demographics to certain areas of a very small community. This breeds resentment among people who basically really want to interact with you. Nobody wants to go into establishments and see only a sea of faces of the same color. The "natives" didn't start that, but they sure as hell resent it.

There is definitely a portion of the population that does not like me because I am not local (doesn't matter your race, I work with darker complexion individuals form Florida that get the same "outsider" treatment) I'd say there is an older generation on this island that CAN tend to be a bit anti "outsider"... what this is from I don't know but it definitely happens to me unprovoked.

Your statement above seems a little biased.

My family moved here from "down-island", during the 1950's. St. Croix public schools were closed to "down islanders/aliens" until 1968. People from "down-island" were derisively called "aliens"...did they form segregated communities? No, they intermingled, intermarried, mixed. Today you'll find Crucian-Lucian, Crucian-Trini, Crucian-Dominican...all manner of mixed island families.

I object to people of any demographic being directed to stay away from the "Native" population. If that seems biased, so be it.

This breeds resentment among people who basically really want to interact with you. Nobody wants to go into establishments and see only a sea of faces of the same color. The "natives" didn't start that, but they sure as hell resent it

Maybe the wording on that was off, but it seems to imply that locals just want to be friends with everyone and are not complicit in the behavior... while your statement above also disagrees with that so perhaps I just took it wrong.

anyway, there's issues on both sides of the intigration equation, it just happens that the locals make up 80+% of the problem, so seeming to blame outsiders completely is a bit off.

just trying to clarify the situation.

As Native Son is going to promote this board I thought I'd chime in with a lengthy response to your inquiry. Must have caught me in the right mood.

One of your statements "... the potential of a random violent crime is just so much higher than the area we currently live." I'd disagree with strongly. I don't think that the chance of you being a victim of random violence is that high as long as you live a somewhat normal life and avoid areas/activities that are prone to illegal activities, as other posters have advised. But enough about crime, there is too much on this in other threads. I think your focus on crime, as a significant factor in deciding to move here is limiting. You need to consider much more as to what the current state of the island is in comparison to your visit in 2005.

Yes, on STX we have had a significant economic downturn, but far more as a result of the closing of Hovensa, than fallout from the financial market collapse in 08. At the time of the closing, we were in the midst of a general decline in the real estate market, however properties have always been slow to sell here as folks would not budge too far on the 'price of paradise' and simply would wait for the right buyer, although the prevalence of buyers declined with the fiscal crisis. When Hovensa shut down and severance/unemployment dried up most of these folks had no choice but to leave island in pursuit of similar work. This opened up rental housing stock and there was a sharp uptick of listed properties. Over time this has led to a significant reduction in valuation. By significant I'm talking 30% and more of listed prices of two years ago. I believe we are now at the bottom of this market and that housing prices will stabilize. Now presents one of the best opportunities to buy property.

The downturn on STX had a drastic effect on increasing unemployment. Don't quote me but I think we are around 15%. Along with Hovensa many support businesses were directly affected. Also downstream business supplying middle class consumers with goods and services were significantly impacted. And at the same time our utility costs continue to skyrocket to now over 0.50 per kwh. Many restaurants have closed and I know we will lose a few more will at end of season. More empty spaces, and less rental revenue, and jobs to circulate through the economy.

The government likes to elaborate on how they are becoming more business friendly in order to attract new investment, but anyone actually doing business here for any length of time knows this is not really the case. And the ideas raised by the public to improve things are often ignored until they can be aligned with some political or personal gain for the powers that be. All the while, pre crisis, the government was borrowing and spending like a bunch of drunken sailors, busy fueling an entitlement orientated voting base. Now that the crisis has become real enough, the government answer is not to approach things from a business perspective, but to continue to throw muck around and point fingers. We still have a bloated public sector. Our infrastructure deteriorates while monies are misspent on programs that miss the mark on providing true benefit to the community as a whole, and focus instead on appeasing the politically engaged. The inefficiencies, waste, and casual ineptitude that is tolerated extend beyond the core and include semi-autonomous agencies. I will not even address corruption in our public sector as anyone can speculate that this is rampant - as it can be everywhere. These comments can often be applied in one shape or another to many places in the mainland as well, so I'm not just pointing fingers at our particular political environment.

The exception is that there are some voices in government that try to do the right thing. Unfortunately they battle against the blowhards and entrenched and often grow weary of the cause. Likewise, in the trenches, on a day to day basis you can encounter many fine government employees that truly care about trying to do a good job and to do the right thing. They should be encouraged and rewarded for good service. There is hope.

Healthcare is another significant concern of anyone moving here. Especially those looking for a retirement or second home for later years. While we have many good and caring healthcare professionals, unfortunately our hospital is in a fiscal crisis and struggling to maintain accreditation. This doesn't affect the mass of government workers as they can use their insurance to visit facilities in PR or the mainland. Likewise for employed persons with coverage. This further erodes revenue opportunities for the hospital making them more reliant on emergency care, Medicaid patients, and exposure to the increased risk of uncompensated care. Due to quality of care concerns, many folks, of means, who move here end up only staying until they start encountering significant health concerns, and so they sell up to move back to the mainland. This perpetuates a know attitude of born here vs. the rest, as you can't be considered a virgin islander if you move here from the states because you're just going to leave again at some point right? Unfortunately most all of us who move here from somewhere else are tarred with the same brush, despite significant ties and contributions to the community.

Medical insurance is another issue. Doctors control network and the reimbursement rates are so much higher than anywhere else in the known world that some insurers have simply opted not to do business here anymore. You cannot buy individual coverage. So even those enterprising individuals who choose to do battle against the 'business friendly environment' and look to start new small businesses, often don't take the risk due to not having coverage.

One organization is proposing a plan of universal coverage, which given our geographic, makes perfect sense in many regards. The drawback is that the funding source, as presently indicated, will place a greater burden on existing business and specifically middle and upper class taxpayers. While I support this in concept I think more planning needs to be done. I've often pondered an alternative approach involving a government insurance program that could be opened up to small business and individuals. Either approach would require strong political leadership to get going but could provide a stepping stone toward improved health care.

The other factor impacting opportunities to relocate here is the educational system. Our public schools struggle to provide an adequate education to our youth, despite being adequately funded - on paper. Therefore those of means that have children look to private schools, however the costs are astronomical and prohibitive given the wages that are paid here. Yes, despite having a significantly higher cost of living, wages here fall far below the mainland. We lose good young families because of this.

A very big concern for many, as we move forward this year, is what form the government will take after this year's election. Will it be status quo? Or will those who have made outrageous promises in the past finally be held accountable for their lack of action. Before election time, the impact of our current year 70 million budget shortfall will be felt. This will result in some premature accountability within our current administration, unless they simply borrow their way out of the deficit.

Our next government must address not only the basic needs, and rights, of all residents, but also do so in a fiscally responsible manner - focusing on achievable goals with real results. Again we can only hope - and I've been told that hope is not a methodology.

All that being said I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Anyone can spend a few weeks or a month here and see the wonderful reasons for wanting to be here. The great people, the weather , beaches, recreation, and everything that makes island living amazingly different. What I tried to respond to above were concerns, and the concerns of others that may come across this diatribe.

(let the flames roar)

great post, islandhops

IslandHops, that was outstanding.

native son, whose side do you want to hear when a group of young thugs goes into a local restaurant and shots a person having dinner?

Whose side do you want to hear when a young thug goes into a theater and shoots and kills over a dozen people watching a movie?
Did people stop going to the movies?

Whose side do you want to hear when a young thug goes into an elementary school and shoots and kills twenty children?
Did people stop sending their children to elementary school?

Whose side do you want to hear when an autistic young boy walks out of his school due to the inattention of school officials, and his body washes up on a shoreline weeks later?
Did people take all of their autistic children out of school?

Are any of these things to be condoned by anyone? I certainly don't condone any level of violence against anybody. I do realize, though, that I live on a planet full of humans, and wherever there are people I can expect something unpleasant to happen. But I refuse to live my life in fear.

All of these things that happened were very bad, horrible...but the people involved did not go on campaigns against going to theaters or sending children to school.

We live in a system where money is king. Nobody is going to close down the gun factories so the firearms will keep on flowing into the territory. Nobody is going to stop the money-making glorification of violence. Actually, you can't, because it is part of human nature to be violent. The things that would have to happen in order to reduce crime would create an outcry about civil liberties, freedoms, etc. How would you like it if the National Guard was authorized to search every single building on St. Croix, and look behind every tree and bush, for firearms? That would definitely make a huge dent, right? Can you see that happening? Not in my lifetime.

Beware of people who try to create polarized communities by directing people of certain demographics to certain areas of a very small community. This breeds resentment among people who basically really want to interact with you. Nobody wants to go into establishments and see only a sea of faces of the same color. The "natives" didn't start that, but they sure as hell resent it.

You are correct that people try to polarize the community but that is done by "locals" too. I am not black and tried to go to 2plus2 one night. I say tried because the "bouncer" refused to let me in. I was dressed nicely, had money for the cover charge but was denied entry with no reason provided. I sat in my car an watched. A couple who was white were also denied entry. When I asked some "local" friends the next day I was told that when certain bands play they won't allow anyone that isn't "local" in. Granted this was years ago but please stop trying to act like the "locals" are "all welcoming" and it's the people from elsewhere that are causing all the issues. I also live in an area where I am the only non-black and have heard many unkind remarks from "neighbors" of mine. I do have other neighbors who are very nice so it's not everyone. When I first moved on this street I made an effort to meet and be kind to every single neighbor and several were very much less than kind. The behavior you describe is attributable to many different groups on this island including "locals".

You are right, of course...although the bouncer may have just been trying to save you from exposure to the local 2+2 version of "dirty dancing" LOL 😀

2+2?? really? divinggirl he did you a favor by saving you from that hole in the wall.

and Native Son I'm with you....these people need to be placed in check, with the ignorant crap they be posting on here.

2+2?? really? divinggirl he did you a favor by saving you from that hole in the wall.

I wanted to see the band - I wasn't there for the ambiance. It was wrong to deny me entry based on the fact that I was not perceived as "born here".

I wanted to see the band - I wasn't there for the ambiance. It was wrong to deny me entry based on the fact that I was not perceived as "born here".

But again, the "bouncer" may well have been doing you a favor. I could expound based on personal experiences but that would require an essay for even the basics to be understood. I don't know the club but know and understand and accept the vibe - again based on personal experiences. Hard to say anything much else. Based on those I would consider my being barred/discouraged from entering had everything to do with concern for my own protection.

I wanted to see the band - I wasn't there for the ambiance. It was wrong to deny me entry based on the fact that I was not perceived as "born here".

But again, the "bouncer" may well have been doing you a favor. I could expound based on personal experiences but that would require an essay for even the basics to be understood. I don't know the club but know and understand and accept the vibe - again based on personal experiences. Hard to say anything much else. Based on those I would consider my being barred/discouraged from entering had everything to do with concern for my own protection.

So if she's banned from a bar based upon her skin color for her "own protection," what does that imply? That she might be harmed in the club because of her skin color? I do believe if she has to fear violence based upon her skin, then that is race-based violence.

2+2?? really? divinggirl he did you a favor by saving you from that hole in the wall.

I wanted to see the band - I wasn't there for the ambiance. It was wrong to deny me entry based on the fact that I was not perceived as "born here".

I know it doesn't really matter, but I'm curious. What band was this?

So if she's banned from a bar based upon her skin color for her "own protection," what does that imply? That she might be harmed in the club because of her skin color? I do believe if she has to fear violence based upon her skin, then that is race-based violence.

I don't know the circumstances, I don't know the club, I don't know the band and don't know their "message" and could only respond by penning a very long dissertation based on my own experiences which would only lead to further speculation and a mass of hyperbole.