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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: singbeach]
#49393
04/06/2015 12:23 PM
04/06/2015 12:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,270 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,270
Boynton Beach, FL
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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.
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: EdB]
#49396
04/06/2015 12:56 PM
04/06/2015 12:56 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,315
Kennys
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,315
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EdB said: depends on the word ''bother''. Wendell, is there anyplace on earth totally safe?? Will I stop living my life because of the fear of crime??? I am not downplaying this robbery/assault, or any other robbery assault. The point is with millions of people, there always will be some troublemakers ''stirring the pot''. Noticing a greater police presence is something we all have been asking for for a long time now. I am glad that the government of SXM is starting to listen. Again...COMMON SENSE goes a long way. I second your points, thanks.
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: SunNSand]
#49402
04/06/2015 08:46 PM
04/06/2015 08:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,270 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,270
Boynton Beach, FL
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SunNSand said: With all due respect, you seem to be assuming that this couple did not use common sense and were, in effect, looking for it. Give them the benefit of doubt and at least wait until more details are available. No, I did not assume this at all. It was a generalized statement. It was meant as it was written for everybody to be careful, and don't let your common sense or your guard down at any time. I do not know the details of this crime, but the point given was that crime is everywhere...not just in St. Martin. We all cannot continue to live in fear...but go on living but be careful. Everyday all over this world, innocent people are attacked, murdered or worse. It sucks, but unfortunately it is the world we live in. Saint Martin is no different.
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: singbeach]
#49407
04/07/2015 09:18 AM
04/07/2015 09:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852
Central Florida!
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I'm not absolutely certain this is the same incident but the Daily Herald--not the online version--reported that some tourists from the UK had the woman's handbag snatched at gunpoint around 10:30 PM on Friday night walking on "the main road between Atrium Hotel and Burger King". I guess that means Billy Folly. The woman's purse contained her smart phone but no money or credit cards. Others tried to console them and drove them to the Simpson Bay police station.
Carol Hill
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: Dansc]
#49410
04/07/2015 12:38 PM
04/07/2015 12:38 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852
Central Florida!
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No, do NOT expect pro and anti gun talk now, if this thread is to continue.
Carol Hill
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: Dansc]
#49412
04/07/2015 12:49 PM
04/07/2015 12:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,799 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,799
Auburn, WA
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Dansc said: but they do scuba! Are you referring to pepper spray being legal or wasp spray in small cans?
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: Dansc]
#49414
04/07/2015 12:53 PM
04/07/2015 12:53 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,799 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,799
Auburn, WA
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Thanks. I'll be on the look out. I would think that would be something that the ACE in St Maarten would want to carry. Can't bring it from home in checked luggage due to TSA and airline restrictions.
Last edited by SXMScubaman; 04/07/2015 12:56 PM.
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#49416
04/07/2015 01:30 PM
04/07/2015 01:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752 St. Maarten
Barbara
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
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Carol_Hill said: No, do NOT expect pro and anti gun talk now, if this thread is to continue. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: lcote]
#49420
04/08/2015 10:48 AM
04/08/2015 10:48 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 289 Edam, Saskatchewan - Canada
PrairieGirl
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 289
Edam, Saskatchewan - Canada
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lcote said:
It's a sad statement though, that no one has said "Wow, those islanders are so friendly. They tried to help a tourist in trouble." My thoughts exactly.
LeAnn url=https://www.tickerfactory.com] [/url]
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: SXMWendell]
#49421
04/08/2015 11:17 AM
04/08/2015 11:17 AM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 195 NC
Dave_and_Jen
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 195
NC
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SXMWendell said: Wow, this is kinda scary. You would actually take your spouse to a vacation place where you think you might need mace/wasp spray? Where's the "common sense"
SXM??? Wendell Why would you second guess what someone does in order to feel safe? The park near my home is very safe, BUT there have been a few assaults there over the years. If my daughter wanted to jog there, the rational side of me would say the odds of her being assaulted are microscopic. The dad side of me says take pepper spray just in case. Even though the odds of being a victim are low, the potential for harm is unlimited, and I would rather she have some protection than none at all - just in case. Where does your concept of "common sense" fit into this scenario?
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Re: Assault/Robbery near Flamingo over the weekend
[Re: singbeach]
#49427
04/13/2015 02:54 PM
04/13/2015 02:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Singbeach, do you have any further information concerning the robbery of the friends of your friends near Flamingo? Hopefully they are O.K.
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