Singbeach,
Crime is everywhere. St. Martin has upwards of a couple of million visitors per year, and now has a booming population to boot. With so many people, there always will be some bad apples in the mix. We just returned after staying THREE glorious weeks, and I can say this year did not feel threatened at all. In fact, we noticed more police and gendarme presence than in previous years. Walking late night through Grand Case seemed a lot safer than in previous years...but remember people.....it is paradise...NOT Utopia.

As we all have heard many times before on this forum as well as any other travel forum...do not overdress. Leave the freakin' bling at home....Do NOT flash money around, and don't look like a target. Not saying it won't happen, but be aware of your surroundings, and NEVER let your guard down. Some people seem to do stupid things while on vacation...but that mistake can be huge. Common sense goes a long way.

As for being unsettling because it was close...do you feel the same way when picking up any local paper? I see you are from MA...does crime keep you out of going to Boston, Worcester, or any town in the great state of Mass??? There never is a day that there is not a report of a murder, a rape, a robbery, or something to report. After the horrific episode in Boston a few years back, Boston became ''Boston Strong''. Same is happening in SXM, more people are coming together to fight crime, but it will never be totally gone. Do Not Let hearing of one or two instances on the island scare you, or anyone else from going and enjoying vacation. Just use common sense.