In all the years of visiting SXM, yesterday we were stopped by the Gendarme in Oyster Pond at 7.45 A.M. on the way to the beach. This was the second time they were in the same spot in one week, the first time we saw them we were not stopped. Looked at my husbands driving permit and rental agreement and after noting the driving permit number we were allowed to continue on our way.

We have also noticed them often travelling in unmarked cars. Glad to see them being vigilant!!

I am glad to hear someone is looking after you when I am not there! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

7.45 am is okay, I've usually only had 4 or 5 drinks by then.

You start pretty late!!

Glad to see the Gendarmes doing their jobs and hopefully it will make for a safer island.

Oyster Pond is full of gendarme and we welcome their presence and it is needed. A couple on the beach today told of a group of guys on scooters trying to stop them in Oyster Pond last night. When they refused to stop the guys threw their helmets at their car!

Interested to know if you were asked for your passport. I keep a copy in my wallet just in case
J&B

Boy that's ugly. I wonder if there is an "easy" way to report this to the gendarmes?

No we were not asked for our passport, but I do keep photocopies in my bag at all times. They asked if we spoke French and when my husband said yes, they had a little chat about Montreal.

kish
When I got stopped I started the conversation in French but about 3 or so minutes into our talk I started to have some trouble with the terms they were using so I asked them if we could continue in English. They said yes and we kept going on with the stop.

Yes, my husband also had problems understanding them, but it was more of an accent (pronunciation) thing. Quebec French is VERY different from Parisian.