Carol_Hill said:
No, actually, I don't think so. It's not a matter of petty crime any more in SXM. Serious, VIOLENT crime, against locals AND tourists.. To me, the concept that tourists should not be concerned about crime against locals is abhorrent. Yes, to some extent, crimes of locals against locals, where people know each other, and the motive is PERSONAL, yes, that is somewhat different. But all these robberies of grocery stores, casinos, jewelry stores, etc., etc., etc., this is random, SERIOUS, violence against another human being, and should not be tolerated in a civilized society.
My opinion only but back in the 70's SXM people seemed friendly & happy. Then tourists---especially from USA---flooded in changed things, built hotels, high end stores etc. Changed what they saw as paradise into what they wanted in a vacation spot. Islanders see this and not all change has given them high paying jobs so they want what they see others have and the only way they think they can get it is by crime.
Someone here gave statistics on crime in Jamaica. We didn't like what we saw there and never returned. But we keep returning to SXM. My point is we Americans and tourists have created some of the problem. In my opinion.
