According to the couple that was robbed while driving towards Dawn beach they were blocked by a car in which two unknown men were driving...

http://www.smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/28732-armed-robbery-in-oyster-pond.html

This saddens me- but doesn't surprise me.

Same article in the Herald.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/74911-couple-robbed-by-armed-men

Another incident with guns supposedly illegible to have in St Maarten.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/74884-shooting-in-middle-region-wednesday

Guns illegal in st martin - only to those who follow the law. What I'm surprised about is that this isn't reported more regularly.

If this turns into an "everyone should be armed" discussion, I'm sure the thread will quickly be shut down.
George

And this guy just wanted to protect his home and family. Awful lot of guns available on island where they aren't allowed to have them. Topper had to spend time for the same reason. Looks like they are readily available.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islan...-18-months-for-weapon-arsenal-possession

This makes us very sad too. I hope this isn't going to become a trend again. They need the tourism and shouldn't be doing things that will hurt that.

This has been a problem on the island for a considerable amount of time and unless or until the gendarmerie and the dutch police get a handle on it. this will continue. Its not a "everyone should be armed" discussion, its that everyone should be aware this is and has been happening to locals and tourists before and after Irma.

Correct, but there are always going to be those undesirables doing despicable things. I just never want to be in a situation like that.

The Island needs to reconsider the sentences handed out for these type of crimes. When I read in the Herald the sentences for armed robbery I just shake my head in disbelief. They are far too lenient.

"They are far too lenient."
You got that right.

This was an isolated incident and not common as I have been here for the past 3 months and have not had any problems driving around at night. Oyster pond area though at night right now is fairly isolated and I wouldn't drive in that area at all at night. The people who were robbed must live in the area as their isn't much open in that area right now.

I would not consider this an isolated incident. I read the Daily Herald every morning and the have been a number of armed robberies in the last couple of months. Today a person was sentenced to 18 months for having a small arsenal in his house including a couple of pistols. 18 months? The sentence needs to send a message that if you commit a crime it is going to cost you a significant stay in prison

I love the Island and with a couple of exceptions have been going there since 1984. I’m there again in several weeks but will limit my travels with my wife due to these recent episodes. Please understand there has always been some crime but not to the extent currently occurring. When I was there last March some jewelry stores had guards with dogs. Never had this in prior years. I have no doubt the situation has been exacerbated by Irma. It’s my hope as the Island rebuilds these issues will diminish

I couldn't sleep one night last trip so I went out to sit on the beach around 2:30 AM ( Simpson BAy). Seen a shadow around our car. The passenger window was left open about 2 inches. A man of Indian decent had his arm inside the car trying to open the locked door. After I confronted him I think he took a couple of nights off for his arm to get better. So yes for me the island is getting more dangerous.

Wendell

I didn't say it was an "everyone should be armed " discussion.
George

Please stay on topic... The post was only intended to keep tourists aware of isolated incidents and to take precaution.
I do have to add if I saw a car blocking the road I would turn the car around as quickly as possible or lock my doors and hit them.

2 years ago we've had a similar situation in Oyster Pond on the French side. It was a gun point, but luckily we didn't stop. When we passed two guys who tried to rob us, one of them hit the windshield with his gun. Since then, we avoid that area at night.

Thanks for sharing... I am glad you were able to flee unharmed.

I think my post was an indication that the thread should stay on topic, instead of going somewhere else.
George