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hello
i was about to book a trip to st john and was concerned when i started reading about the recent increase in crime and home invasions. I have traveled to a few places in the Caribbean before like Aruba, St Lucia, and Playa Del Carmen and i understand that these places are relatively safe but there is always an element of crime to be wary of. I live just 2 miles outside of NYC and have lived in the shadow of NYC all my life.. so i am aware of my surroundings and how best to avoid street crime. However, home invasions are a different story. It sounds like a crew of thugs seem to know its easy to break into many of these rentals and threaten unarmed tourists and get away with it.
While it seems odds are unlikely it will happen to you (divide the number of home invasion victims over all the visitors to St John over the past few years and you will get a very low % I'm sure). i think we can be certain it will happen again.
With that being said, does anyone know if these burglaries / home invasions ever occurred on the resort properties like Caneel Bay or the Westin? These are the locations i am looking at and i was wondering if additional security is provided here. Do these burglaries only occur in the villa rentals scattered throughout town and the outskirts of town.
hoping for some insight to this issue..
thanks
-Bern
Read more: http://www.frommers.com/community/forum.cfm/caribbean-atlantic/virgin-islands/st-john-safetycrime-westin-caneel-bay/.0#ixzz1n8sVC8Wx
St John crime?
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St John, in general, is extremely safe and has been spared the random violence that plagues some places in the Caribbean. Nonetheless, nowhere on earth is crime free. Use the normal good sense that you employ at home.
Caneel Bay and The Westin have their own, extremely watchful, security. Security knows who does and does not belong on the property. You will feel completely safe at these locations.
The few home invasions that have been reported and confirmed are quite disturbing, but they are "crimes of opportunity". The invasions/burglaries have occured in remote and unguarded locations, or in areas where there are many vacation rentals (including empty homes) and fewer full time residents. The thugs want privacy to snoop around and a quick opportunity to disappear into the surroundings.
If you decide to rent a private home outside of a secured resort community like Caneel Bay or The Westin, find out as much as you can about security on the property. Make sure you will be able to lock all doors and windows (and run the AC!) to keep the home tight when you are indoors at night. Also, find out about the character of the neighborhood. Having nearby neighbors who are full time residents or a trusted resident caretaker on site is great for peace of mind.
FYI: The Frommer's forum thread about increase in crime has created quite stir. There is a thread running about the reports on TripAdvisor's St John forum: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147409-i432-k5165118-Increase_in_crime_on_St_John-St_John_U_S_Virgin_Islands.html