Safety observations from a newbie

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="" />

Very well said!!!

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="" />

I was somewhat surprised at the responses on this board and the SXM cruisers boards about boat safety. People have a lock it or lose it attitude, even with rental cars. We are always vigilant and aware of our surroundings. We are very excited about our new adventure in the Leewards.

Beerman I totally agree. I have been to SXM several times, starting in 1984 as a teenager and most recently I was there last week. On our last trip we were out at least until midnight or later and we never felt uncomfortable or unsafe. We were in Orient Village, Grand Case and Maho in the evenings. One night after dancing at Kon Tiki on Orient Beach until 2am, we walked back to our hotel on the beach. I know many will say that was irresponsible or possibly dangerous, but alcohol does impair judgment and a night of dancing under the stars makes one forget that paradise can have danger as well. Fortunately, our beach walk was wonderful and we did not encounter any problems.

I also read the news and posts regarding crime in SXM and I remember reading it before our trip in 2009 as well, however, we find that SXM offers so many great experiences and we don't want to miss out on them because of fears. Of course being prudent is wise and everyone has to decide what is comfortable for them.

BEERMAN, great insight. I agree 100%. You say, however, you are new to the SXM Forum, but you have 1851 posts? Or are you letting someone else post under your username?

Uhmn, those are total posts on TTOL, which consists of many forums, in addition to the SXM forum.....

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="" />

Oh, the 80's ...the whole decade was filled with poor judgment for me and walking a beach in SXM at night would have been one of my better decisions. But now as a 40 something who is now a parent I try to use better judgment but that wonderful caribbean atmosphere gets the best of me sometimes!

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........

Yes, Beerman has been posting on the SXM forum, looking for info since he booked his trip, as many people do.

Please don't go away! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> that oldest post was probably me just snooping around this forum in 2014! Are you a sailor? even if you're not and you want to read a long report with photo's please search ARC in BVI Talk for my last sailing adventure from Annapolis to the Bahamas, it's full of preparation, foul weather, medical emergency 170 miles out, dolphins, sunrise/sets and ultimately one memorable night time arrival in the Abacos! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

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.