ok, I feel badly about having to ask this question because I have travelled all over the caribbean without ever feeling nervous, but, why are there so many posts about St. Croix crime? (not just here thru Fodors) We are headed there for the 1st time in May and I'm a little nervous after reading about the armed robberies and such. I hope some of you local Fodor regulars can ease my fears. thanks!

Just got back from a week and never felt unsafe. Compared to a lot of places in the region, including Charlotte Amalie on STT, St. Croix has a lower crime rate.

And little of the crime is directed at tourists. If you're not looking to buy drugs or beat your partner, your chances of being involved in a crime are pretty low.

St. Croix got a bad rap for a couple of reasons. It can't shake the Fountain Valley incident almost 35 years ago and cruise ships, seeking to get out of port stops there (for more lucrative port deals) overhyped the crime angle.

Plus, the crime there is more visible because there's better and more accurate reporting of problems than in other islands. beach area crimes, mostly car break-ins, seem to happen everywhere ... that there's a beach be it Hawaii or wherever. In St. Croix there are plenty of relatively quiet or isolated beaches so be careful.

That said, the usual cautions apply.

FYI, from a Washington Post article:

"St. Croix has fewer visitors than its stepsisters: the perception that crime is a serious problem. As FBI stats prove, the perception is unfair. St. Croix, like all Caribbean islands -- in fact, like all parts of the world -- has some crime, and neighborhoods to avoid after dark. But crime is no worse than on other islands, and in fact less of a problem than on many. Why the bad rap?

"Cruzans will hate me for mentioning it, but more than 30 years ago, tourism to the island was stopped in its tracks when five men gunned down 11 people, killing eight, at the Fountain Valley Golf Club (soon after to be renamed the Carambola Golf Club.).

"Never mind that all five men were arrested and convicted, or that nothing remotely similar has even been rumored since. But the incident in 1972 became a symbol of fear around the world, and its prominence in the public psyche only grew after leftist lawyer William Kunstler volunteered to defend the "Fountain Valley Five" and turn their case into an international media circus. People who don't exactly remember the incident still have a hazy memory of hearing something about crime on St. Croix."

In the many years since, tourism has been hampered simply by the lack of tourism -- a crazy Catch-22.

The recent incident at Cane Bay did sound frightening and was well chronicled on tripadvisor I believe (with the victim chiming in). I think repete has summed it up nicely.

We have visited STX seven times in the past eight years with our children and have never worried (but then we live 1/2 mile from some of the most violent sections of Boston). Would I walk around C'sted late at night alone? No. But I wouldn't do that in many areas of Boston either.

My own feeling is that STX is no less safe than any other Caribbean island. You'll have a great time in May--go and enjoy!

Bermudafan--just read your posts about STJ trip and Westin. Where are you staying on STX and are you taking your children again?

thanks so much for your replies....I feel so much better!! Since I'm not going to buy drugs or beat my husband, I bet we'll have a great time! LOL! I had no idea about the past incidents, so that explains a lot.
I also live outside of Boston so I get what you mean CCrosner. We're usually fast asleep with our kids by 10PM anyway and off the streets. We're staying at The Buccaneer because I've read so many family friendly reviews. Do you agree? Are most of the highly recommended restaurants child friendly as well? Our girls are used to going out a lot and are 3 and 6 years old.

I stay at Cane Bay Reef Club in St. Croix. Right at the incident.

I feel very secure in the area, more than i do in St. Thomas or certain sections st john at night.

Common sense dictates not being out after midnight by yourself...

I feel more afraid in Boston at night-again-certain sections after midnight.

The reason tourism doesn't improve in the islands has more to do with lack of hospitality training and lack of adequate funding of budget. Also the destruction of environment by greedy developers--especxiualyy st john--is doing more for a bad reputation than a few incidents of 2am muggings.

Go to st croix and have fun---you will be fine.

Where you staying?

thanks Marbleheadguy.....we're staying at The Buccaneer. It's funny we went to St. John last year and I had no clue about the muggings. We felt totally safe in Cruz Bay at night so I guess it's all about the same. (by the way....I'm a Duxburygirl)

Im slightly biased since I was born and raised on st.croix. However....The way us cruzans view it, tourists get a little light headed when they are on vacation. ie. Don't go on an isolated beach at night by your self.
Some people misconstrue "paradise" as utopia, and let down their guard. I am in school in Chicago now and use the same judgement i use when i go home. Common Sense.

Overall, it's a safe and wonderful place. Enjoy it!

If you're staying at the Buccaneer I think you have nothing to worry about. The resort has very good security, and you'll have no problems if you stick to the tourist areas of Christiansted. And if you want to go there at night for dinner, just take a cab and ask the restaurant to call a cab for your return trip. I doubt it will cost more than $10 each way. Elsewhere on the island, I think as long as you can visit virtually any part of the island you might want to visit safely. I have no experiences with crime on St. Croix, having been three times without any incident at all.

We're going back for our fourth visit next week -- we've never had any problems. You will love St. Croix - be sure to rent a car and explore the entire island.

We have friends who have a home on St. Croix for almost 20 years now. While they are aware that there's definitely crime, they tell us that it is as repete says, does not involve tourists... unless of course, you ignore normal precautions. I did read another post where the people said they didn't realize there was something to be worried about while dining at a restaurant until they realized the proprietor was scoping out every visitor and locking the door after admitting a patron. But that tourist also said they didn't really encounter any crime. Other tourists have reported having cars broken into, etc. but that kind of crime happens everywhere. Some people insist that St. Bart's is completely safe... but you know, they used to say that about Aruba, too. Bermuda has had its share of crime too. There's a humongous prison structure on Bermuda. It's not exactly empty if you know what I mean. Places like St. John where I feel completely safe just about anywhere but that doesn't mean I drop my guard and think leaving the car doors unlocked or my house doors and windows unlocked is okay. I don't walk alone at night there, at home or anywhere.

Bermudafan--
I'll chime in here one last time to say you will have a great time at the Buccaneer and will feel very safe. We'll be there in two weeks for our 8th visit with our two kids and have always felt safe. They have a 24 hour guard house and security staff. But I still lock my hotel room and use the safe as I would anywhere else. But I leave my kids (who are older now) in our room to watch t.v. while we have a late night drink and feel comfortable having them walk around the property during the day.

The Buccaneer has a great way of having their own fleet of taxi drivers (who are quite the characters and we've come to know). They take you to your restaurant and you have the restaurant call the Buccaneer and have them come back to get you. You pay the entire fare when you return to the property. So you are not even hailing cabs at night.

But I still would feel safe and have never been to a restaurant where the proprietor kept the door locked and only let certain people in. That would send my radar up (as it would here in Mass.) and we'd just call the Buc and get out of there.

BTW, we're up route 3 in Milton. Be in touch if you have more questions.

you have all eased my nerves. I don't think I would even be half as concerned if our children weren't traveling with us. I just booked a car with Judi of St. Croix. And we are looking forward to exploring. Are there any beaches we should be wary of? And which ones are the best to see? ccrosner, what are your favorite restaurants since you've been so many times? thanks!

There's been quite a bit lately on this site, Bermudafan, about restaurants (although reviews are all over the lot).

I think it's best if I comment after we return at the end of the month. That way my experiences will be more recent.

ccrosner,
thanks, I will anxiously await your trip report! I wish I was going sooner then May! have a great vacation...save some sun for us!

Our favorite restaurants are Kendrick's, Rumrunners (very casual), and the Greenview at the Carambola Golf Course. I, too, will post when we get back . . . we leave Sunday and I can't wait to leave the cold northeast!

Beth48--
Have a great time! And let us know what you think of Salud...have never been to the spot at Carambola...do you stay near there?

beth48, have a great time! you are certainly leaving at a good time now that the cold is here in the NE. I can't wait to hear about your trip. safe travels!

You have some really good responses here but I wanted to add a bit since we were the victims of crime on STX. It's such a friendly island overall and we never felt unsafe or threatened anywhere. When a camera was stolen from our car (very stupid for leaving it there anyway) the area was very isolated and we had no reason to think there would be other people around. It was also the first time we'd traveled for such a long time with our toddler and by the end of the week we were just exhausted, and weren't thinking clearly nor were we looking out for each other as usual. We've traveled the world and the only other time we've had an incident was a stolen camera in Kenya, but there's strong evidence it was a baboon and I was extremely jet-lagged that day. In short, there's no reason to be concerned, just use common sense.

thanks for your input hlphillips2, I will keep an eye out for baboons in St. Croix also!