Thanks for making us aware of the article. I just went to the Conde Nast website and explored it a bit and wanted to share something else I read there. CN sent questionnaires out to over 100 villa rental agencies around the world and from them they culled about 35 of them who were most likely to pair a renter with the right villa. There were only a handful of them from the Caribbean--one on Barbados, one on St. Barths, one on Carriacou, one in the US Virgins, one on St. Maarten/Martin. And also the one on Grenada that I used for my most recent vacation--Nick Hughes at www.SpiceIsleVillas.com. He did a fantastic job and I would heartily recommend him to anyone seeking a villa on Grenada.

I would urge other folks interested in renting a villa on the other above mentioned islands to check out the recommended villa agencies on the Conde Nast site.

Again, not wishing to be a fear monger...but I think this is important so I am topping for anyone who missed it and might benefit from it.

Hope this helps...
Debi

There is no paranoid thiunking here at all or at CLT.

One island that really has had problems is St. John in the U.S. Virgin islands.

This past year, they had an explosion in villa robberies, murders, arson, and racially motivated attacks by a white businessman against a local black woman who was also abducted and raped.

It really is best to be careful.

attorneystoll,
Yikes!

This new wave of crime across the Caribbean is interesting to me. It used to be that you'd only hear of such things happening in...Jamaica.

It's scary, really...and very, very sad.

Topping for zanabill

Debi

I am always following reports, forums and posts about Anguilla; there is very little crime there but it has increased in the past few years, and the thing that struck me was that all crimes (robberies, burglaries, attacks on person) always happened in and around VILLAS. So for this reason alone I would not like to rent a villa. A hotel feels (and is!) much safer; as far as I know nothing has ever happened there, on Anguilla in any case.

Debi, thanks for starting and topping this thread.

Speaking from experience,we have been robbed 3 times while staying at two different villas. There were at least two more attempts that we were able to scare off the intruder.
The police arrivesd 10's of minutes after we called them and told us that we needed more bars on the (rental) villa.
Months later an intruder was caught breaking in to the same villa and arrested.
His arrest was due in large part to a very concerned villa owner.
Last month, days before his trial, he escaped.
Then he was caught, but within days, escaped again.........
Two escapes within 10 days time!
Who needs more bars ?
The important lesson that I am taking from this is to ask about the history of crime of a particular villa before renting it.
It is my feeling that robbers get comfortable with breaking into a villa that they become familiar with.
Then lie-in-wait for the new victims to arrive each week.
We were shown how to activate the security system and we used it.
We did not know, however, that the wires had been cut so we were "activating" an inactive alarm.........
We felt so violated and vulnerable and angry.........and the Kops can't even keep him in custody when they were handed him on a platter.

Santa, could I ask you on which island that you experience these problems?

It's not surprising that a majority of the property crime in the Caribbean happens in or around villas- it's where the wealthy people live. If you wanted to steal, would you pick a nice house or a crappy house to steal from?

chasechow, from all that I have heard and read, this is an evolving problem all across the Caribbean.
It is not my intent to brand a singular island as being unsafe / crime-ridden, but to let you know what I have learned to investigate before renting a private villa on any island (or country).
It was also my intent to say that even if one uses common sense, which is so often given here as a solution to all problems, you can still be victimized.
Crime does happen everywhere, but it is becoming more commonplace IMO.
We happen to own property in the Caribbean and plan to start building within months from now despite the problems mentioned.
Perhaps we shouldn't, but I think that we can design a home in such a way that we will be able to leave the windows open inorder to catch the breeze at night.
Without the "paradise glasses" on, the choice to invest anything anywhere in the Caribbean could seem ill advised until the individual Govt's regain control.

Thanks for the info Santa. Hubby and I are renting a villa for the first time in Turks & Caicos. I have to admit, that I was nervous about it even before this thread. We have no intentions of backing out, but I like knowing (to whatever extent possible) everything that I can as forewarned is forarmed.

Wow, we are still deciding on a villa for St. John next month. I definitely will consider the area that they are located and not get one of the remote ones. This is too bad, now I am even unsure of going to the remote beaches to snorkel, which we were looking forward to. I think it's best to stay around other people. Looks like hiking will be out also unless I see other people around. Of course, I don't like to hike anyplace remote - I guess this would be no different. Best to ask what type of security the villa has also, before renting.

I don't think that the "remoteness" is a factor.
When we were robbed, twice in one villa and once in another, they were in an area that was well built up.
At another villa in a very remote part of the island, we were left alone.
Ask about the break in history of your rental up front.

MSS: We always go to remote beaches and areas on STJ during the day for snorkeling/hiking etc. and actually, have never heard of any incident. I agree with Santa, it's more about the particular villa than the remoteness factor. Some villas may not be well secured. We once rented a villa on Great Cruz Bay which is not considered remote, and it was completely lacking in security other than a front door lock. Anyone could have hopped over the gate. Luckily, nothing happened, but I still think it's about whether or not a particular villa has security measures.

Tuxedocat, Great Cruz Bay is where we are renting. Hopefully it has not had any problems with breakins in the area. I haven't told my husband any of this (he does not frequent the internet like I do) or he would not want to go. I am keeping quiet on the subject with him and I am sure we will have a wonderful time. However, I "am" asking the rental company of the history of crime in the area and also what type of security they provide.

MSS: Great Cruz Bay is an upscale neighborhood. It's close to the Westin which has an interest in keeping a sharp eye on its surroundings and wouldn't hesitate to report any suspicious characters skulking around. That said, it has also experienced some break-in's (like any neighborhood wherever you live), but it is definitely not a common occurrence and is usually limited to places that are easy to "hit." e.g. places where it's well known there is no or low security (e.g. no locks, no gates, places to hide a getaway car, etc.) There is a very posh suburban neighborhood up where we live in CT, with houses worth millions each, and there have been times over the years where there have been a rash of burglaries in the neighborhood. Does that make it unsafe? No, crime can happen anywhere. Frankly, with the more recent incidents on STJ, villa owners are definitely tightening up measures. They want to protect their property and continue to attract rentals.

topping so more can read this...it's been long gone from top of list and it's important to read and always be careful.
Debi

ttt