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Safety observations from a newbie
#45324
03/12/2015 07:44 PM
03/12/2015 07:44 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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I am not new to "the islands" but I am a newbie to the SXM forum. We just returned from our first trip to this beautiful island you all are so passionate about, and for good reasons...it's great! The topic of personal safety comes up quite a bit here and on other forums, so I know that it is a primary concern for everyone. Comments were made on my trip report regarding safety at Fort Louis in Marigot and I responded with a cavalier statement, I thought about my comments on my drive home tonight. I did a bit of research before choosing Saint Martin as our destination, this included reading local online news which seemed to have an active police blotter. I will say that comments on TTOL and the numerous articles I read raised concerns for me regarding our safety on this trip. Heck, once on island even French locals advised not to be in certain areas after dark. The warnings that you post here on TTOL are priceless and did not fall on deaf ears for me.
That being said, we never felt unsafe during our week, ever! Now that being said....we were always back at our villa by 9-10pm. My observations regarding security during daylight hours discovered a very proactive police force. In Marigot and other parts of the island we saw many friendly officers in tactical vests walking the streets talking to folks, they were also on bicycles or driving around in vehicles, they often had a partner. At night for example we saw officers at Dreams, in front of a pharmacy in Maho and at a grocery store, saw one in front of a store in in Cucepoy etc. They were, for us anyway, very visible and vigilant.
I can understand reporting recent crime incidents, or places where crime is routine, because this is good information to help keep us all on our toes. Knowledge is power! But at the same time consider this, the next time you see the police presence that makes you feel safe write a post describing that good experience. Positive reports are just as valuable as the negative, and with that kind of knowledge we will keep me coming back! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Safety observations from a newbie
[Re: BEERMAN]
#45326
03/12/2015 08:16 PM
03/12/2015 08:16 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,646 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,646
Brookfield, CT.
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What a well thought out post so very well stated.
One thing you should know about the guards outside restaurants, pharmacies, banks and any number of other locations is they are NOT police and in the event of a serious situation, they are NOT armed, or at least not on the Dutch side for sure and truthfully, I'm uncertain about the French rules about this.
In many cases across the island what we see so prominently today are private security personnel, many of whom have been hired because of past problems.
But my truth is, DH and I have never in forty plus years felt that our personal safety was in doubt. At the same time, as we've gotten older we've also gotten wiser in some of our practices, and some of our habits have changed. We no longer do many of the things or go to many of the places we might have enjoyed while still in our thirties but we still manage to have a wonderful time with every trip. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Safety observations from a newbie
[Re: o2bnsxm]
#45330
03/12/2015 09:07 PM
03/12/2015 09:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729
Central Florida!
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Uhmn, those are total posts on TTOL, which consists of many forums, in addition to the SXM forum.....
Carol Hill
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Re: Safety observations from a newbie
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#45331
03/12/2015 09:23 PM
03/12/2015 09:23 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
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Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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Evan, I looked at the dinghy's on one dock and saw several without locking cables, wow the good ole days! Don't let your guard down brother! I believe in locking the boat up tight when leaving it for a few hours, it only takes a second. FYI, we left nothing of value in our rental car and locked it anyways, I figure that's why they gave me a key <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Pat, I noticed the pharmacy uniformed guard was unarmed, but he was vigilant right by the door, that's something. There was a cruiser in front of the Maho grocery and a guard at the door! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
genio67, yeah I've let down my guard a few times late at night myself, but normally with a group and as RoryS wisely said "safety in numbers"! Ok...I'll tell one bad story on myself, not the most recent but a good one!....in the 80's before I was married a group of us 19 year olds partied with locals all night in Cruz Bay St John, before we knew it everybody was gone and we didn't have a car, way too late for taxi's, so we had to slur out a favor to a police officer at the station, he actually drove us in a police cage car to our camp at Cinnamon Bay, PRICELESS! Be safe <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Safety observations from a newbie
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#45333
03/12/2015 09:47 PM
03/12/2015 09:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146 Louisiana
o2bnsxm
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
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Carol_Hill said: Uhmn, those are total posts on TTOL, which consists of many forums, in addition to the SXM forum..... O K, that makes sense (although a SEARCH shows he has 63 posts under that username on the St.Maarten-St.Martin Forum starting on 8-12-14). Just thought it peculiar. No biggie !! I'll go away now........
Last edited by o2bnsxm; 03/12/2015 09:54 PM.
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Re: Safety observations from a newbie
[Re: o2bnsxm]
#45334
03/12/2015 10:01 PM
03/12/2015 10:01 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729
Central Florida!
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Yes, Beerman has been posting on the SXM forum, looking for info since he booked his trip, as many people do.
Carol Hill
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Re: Safety observations from a newbie
[Re: BEERMAN]
#45336
03/13/2015 10:48 AM
03/13/2015 10:48 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146 Louisiana
o2bnsxm
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
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I did see the BEERMAN Trip 4-1 thread, in fact I was the first one to post a reply. Once again, thanks for posting the pictures. Most of the photos are of a part of the Island we have never seen. We have to get out more, but just can't pull ourselves away from Club O once we get there.
Last edited by o2bnsxm; 03/13/2015 10:51 AM.
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