McDonald's robbed

The Daily Herald reported that the McDonald was robbed;
http://www.thedailyherald.com/index.php?...s&Itemid=54

must have been the hamburglar <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Appalling.

"Residents are said to be growing concerned and increasingly fearful of the recent spate of armed robberies on the island."
Appalling indeed! This sucks, and is isn't going to get better any time soon.

gives a whole new meaning to a mac attack

No it's not going to improve. The economy of the island must be in very bad shape for an armed robbery to happen at a McDo at 10:00am.

...and meanwhile, the government is playing musical chairs....

I love musical chairs.

I don't understand why this particular situation is cause for making jokes..

Same here, since when is crime a laughing matter?

It appears the rules are different on the French side with the gendarmes. I believe all of the gun violence & robberies/attempted robberies in the past few months are on the dutch side of the island. I am happy for the gendarmes presence on the French side! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

There on the French side too. Just not as published.

Uhmn, no, incorrect, that all the recent gun violence is on the Dutch side. Not by a long shot.

Why must all crime be reported here?

I didn't say that it should. In fact, there are lots of crimes which I see in the Daily Herald, that I don't mention here. In general, I don't make initial crime posts myself. I do think that it is important to not put our heads in the sand and ignore it, as it is a real issue. And I just don't understand making jokes about an extremely serious crime.

Because safety in a travel decision is an important part of that decision. I like to be a well informed traveler so that I can make the best travel decision for me and my family.

SXM??? Wendell

For the 1st time ever I am feeling nervous about walking around during the day-previously all the crime seemed to be after dark and not by armed robbers. These people seem to have no fear. I think that the government must set aside their differences and address this problem asap.

I don't think there's much difference in the way the Dutch police and the French police operate. They both focus primarily on high risk areas on both sides, namely Philipsburg, Simpson Bay, Marigot and Grand Case that most people visit and where $$$ is spent in shops, restaurants and Casinos.
Furthermore, I'm not sure we can differentiate between criminality on the Dutch side vs. the French side. There's criminality on both sides and crossing the border is purely symbolic. I've never felt safer on one side than on the other.

Perhaps anyone posting crime related stories could be directed to a crime unique forum section within ttol . That said , People can read all the crime reports they want in the online newspapers ... There... I vote to keep the crime stuff off the general travel section of ttol.

I find it amazing that some complain about too much being posted about crime while others think too little is posted about crime.

It is what it is people and as things happen, they are likely to be reported here and elsewhere also.

You can either choose to read about the events and be informed or ignore them. Easy choice and one everyone can make for themselves.

We all know that crime exists --everywhere! Posting it anywhere leads people to think perhaps they shouldn't travel to those places that post the most.

I thought this site was to find out where to eat, what charters to take etc. Now we must make a list of where not to go: don't eat at McDonalds don't shop in P'burg, don't go to a casino, stay away from armored cars making cash delivers to store on the island---and the list goes on and on.

I just felt too much emphasis was being placed on negative news found in the local paper. I'll take the advice given by rural carrier and choose to not read things posted here.

Just HAVING a "crime related forum" says bad things about a destination. I think it appropriate to keep interested parties informed and this forum is the best way to do that. Ignoring or isolating it is not an appropriate move...

...and regarding the "making jokes" issue...while some comments were interesting it probably is still not appropriate to make light of a serious situation that may impact any of us at anytime

...and "don't eat at McDonald's"...really? Maybe for calorie reasons but not because a crime happened there....

Years ago I went everywhere in SXM and never had a second thought. Now days no. So I want information on where me and my family can still go..... safely. And in many cases I get first hand info here or a link to it without having to go hunting for it all the time.

SXM??? Wendell

Of the 75 most recent threads there are two that deal with some type of crime. The one dealing with McDonald's and the one a few days ago about the armoured car attempted robbery. That is less than 3% of the 75 most recent threads. The threads were both started by MEMBERS of the forum and not administrators or moderators.

I don't see how that is TOO MUCH emphasis and it is also what members chose to bring to the attention of others.

ummm, why? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Well said. What's next? Too much info on timeshares? Or on the construction on Orient Beach?
I dunno, to me it's very simple, I read the titles of the threads and if it's something I'm not interested in, I just don't open them.

Amen <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />If you do not like the post <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" />

I'm all for most topics. I, for example, was moderately surprised to find a Chinese house of I'll repute that served egg rolls is now on the island. It's great to see that SXM is expanding their international flavor.

noonsite is a great website for crime in the Caribbean.

Hearing held in recent crime spree on French side

Bad guys know that authorities are on "Island Time"...no rush <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Works both ways though. They have to sit in jail in Guadalupe until December now.

Jeez Carol..can you lighten up a bit???

I just don't understand why an armed robbery with a gun is a joking matter.

3 are sitting in jail in Guadeloupe for 2 months until their trial because the French Court determined that they shouldn't be freed until then. Generally, this measure applies only for crimes calling for a sentence of at least 3 years in prison.
Most likely, it was also determined that this was the best solution to make sure the 3 defendants couldn't leave the island and couldn't communicate with each other until the trial.

It's pretty telling that the suspects had so much support that the street had to be closed and additional police presence was required.

Yeah Carol, I didn't understand that either.

SXM??? Wendell

Would you think it a joking matter if any crime involved you personally?

I have been on the wrong end of an armed robbery, it was not pleasant nor a joking matter.

Ditto. Twice. Still haunting.

Totally agree RonDon!!

I find this part of the story very sad.
"Gendarmerie presence outside and inside the courthouse was due to the number of supporters and friends of the suspects". <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

Yet THAT topic was locked immediately after post. It took another mention of it to be open and informative.

From the US department of State

The crime threat in Sint Maarten is generally considered medium, and travelers should always take normal precautions when in unfamiliar surroundings. Street crime remains a concern on Sint Maarten. Valuables, including passports, left unattended on beaches, in cars, and in hotel lobbies are easy targets for theft. Visitors should leave valuables and personal papers secured at their hotel. Burglaries and break-ins are common at resorts, beach houses, and hotels. Armed robbery occasionally occurs. The American boating community has reported a handful of incidents in the past, and visitors are urged to exercise reasonable caution in securing boats and belongings. Be especially observant when visiting isolated areas. U.S. travelers should have a copy of their valid U.S. passport in a secure location in case their passport is stolen.

Car theft, especially of rental vehicles, can occur. Incidents of break-ins to rental cars to steal personal items have been reported by U.S. citizen tourists. Damages may not be fully covered by local insurance when a vehicle is stolen. Be sure you are sufficiently insured when renting vehicles, jet skis, and other equipment.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

Replace a stolen passport.
Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
The local police emergency line in St. Maarten is “911.

Yes, I didn't understand why it was closed, were people offended by the house of ill repute or were they offended by Chinese food? At first I thought it was "the house" but than there were quite a few disparaging comments about Chinese food, so who knows.

I think I passed the place people were talking about with the bordello and Chinese restaurant yesterday. The bordello is called Carolina Club and I didn't see any Chinese restaurant. This is at the intersection of the road to the dump and the road that the zoo is on. It was 8 AM so maybe the restaurant was closed but I saw no sign. Is that what we are talking about?

to soualigacapt:

yes that's the place.

Ok I don't know if the name has changed but now the brothel is Carolina Club. I think it was referred to by a different name in the original thread.