TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Shooting in Marigot

Posted on SXM Police Facebook page
"BREAKING NEWS/MARIGOT

ACCORDING TO AN UNCONFIRMED REPORT TWO INDIVIDUALS ON A SCOOTER TRIED TO SNATCH A LADY'S BAG NEAR THE MARINA ON THE WATERFRONT.
WHEN THE LADY REFUSED TO LET GO OF THE BAG , TWO SHOTS WERE FIRED BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED BY THE BULLETS.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE"

I guess that was maybe last night? When we went through Marigot this morning, there were probably 8 gendarmes at a location just to the left of the mall in Marigot.

How sad. Marigot is in rough shape. Even though I insisted on visiting sentimental favourites like the Arawak Bar and Main et Pate. I was mindful of all the derelict businesses

Carol - I think it was this afternoon.

Oh, ok. Just know that there were several gendarmes in that area around 11 am this morning..

I'm usually fine wherever we visit on SXM, but not in Marigot. Always try to stay clear of that area and stuff like this supports that. At least it appears as if no one was hurt, so that's good.

Happened at 9:30 this morning.

Yes, I heard the same thing....this morning around 9:30am

Very glad the shots didn’t connect with anyone but just want to reiterate, these things can and do happen island wide. Not often but they do happen. There was a young police officer killed on Front Street in Pberg a few years ago and there was another ma, this time a tourist defending his daughter, killed in Maho just last week.

Generally speaking, the shootings don’t usually involve tourists but lately they don’t seem to differentiate. And we have always visited the market area in Marigot without incident and usually on Saturday mornings.

Everyone needs to keep their eyes open and their senses finely tuned. Sadly, the island just isn't as friendly today as she once was.

This has been repeated every time there is either a robbery or a shooting on SXM. Obviously it doesn't matter if you are aware of your surroundings because the bad guy will hit on you whether you are aware or not. What does that "be aware of your surroundings really mean". If you really want to be safe in SXM you have to stay in your hotel room after 6 o'clock.

It means keep your head on a swivel, with your head up and looking around for possible threats, thus reducing the element of surprise. Bad guys thrive on people that are not paying attention.

So that is called being on vacation?

Wendell

I guess if vacation is defined by being away from home. I bite my tongue when "Paradise" is thrown around loosely....I consider SXM a definite vacation spot that I really enjoy but that's it......

OK, that was what we saw then, as it was around 11 when we went through. They were just to the left of the mall, with your back facing the ocean.

We all need to understand most crimes like these are crimes of opportunity. The bad guys are familiar with the surroundings, the streets, the quick getaways etc and thrive on the opportunity to take advantage of those that aren't familiar, typically tourists. The idea of being aware of your surroundings is something that has been instilled in me after 25 years in law enforcement. My wife is constantly asking me why I don't seemed relaxed when we go on vacation and I tell her it's because I am always in cop mode. That usually means that I keep my head on a swivel, watch for abnormal behaviors/movements etc. I tell my wife to leave jewelry at home, don't wear necklaces that can be ripped off her neck and always have her purse strap across her body. While these things won't prevent crimes, they can reduce the possibility of her being a victim. Just because someone is on vacation in a "vacation area" doesn't mean the bad guys aren't there. Orlando has the magic kingdom and Mickey's house has plenty of crime. The dirtbags can pick out tourists from a mile away. When I lived in New York you could always tell the tourists by the camera around their neck and always looking up at the tall buildings. The crooks the just waited until these folks were near a subway entrance, snatched the jewelry or purse or camera and ran down the stairs. Crime occurs everywhere and the gamut runs the entire spectrum from petit theft to murder.

For me, 'be aware of your surroundings' means to understand when are where you are whether your on vacation or visiting another city for that matter. When I'm in Chicago I'm very much aware of my surroundings if I'm on the south side (near the University of Chicago). But, if I'm downtown with my wife or other people I'm far less on guard but still 'aware.' On St. Maarten there are areas that I will always, always avoid after dark (i.e, the Dutch Quarter, the French Quarter, Marigot, etc.). I'm aware of where those areas are, and I simply don't go there. When in St. Maarten my wife and I go out at night, but we don't walk the streets of Philipsburg until 2:00 a.m. If it's going to be a late dinner we'll call for a taxi rather than drive ourselves after dark. That provides us with door-to-door service.

In reality there's no such thing as a totally safe place, IMO. Maybe St. Barth's if you're willing to spend the money. But all of the islands have crime -- especially the Dominican Republic these last few weeks. Safety starts with awareness and when combined with common sense it can go a long way to ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation. For those people who are so worried about the possibility of crime they may be better off at a gated, all-in-one resort such as those in Mexico, Jamaica, etc. But, having done it both ways in the past and I'd rather have the freedom and options that come with an entire island like St. Maarten where I have never felt confined.

This incident happened around 930am, Walking around at night is another issue....

You can leave your bling at home, wear you purse around your body and do just about every thing you know to keep safe but it will not stop these scumbags from hitting on you. 99% of the time they carry a gun. That poor victim in the murder last week was trying to protect his daughter. Anyone of us who visit SXM could be another victim no matter how observant we want to be. (and that's scary!)

We can also be a victim in our own neighborhoods and cities, too. Can't let fear stop you from living your life. Otherwise, we wouldn't travel anywhere. Incidents like this -- not matter what time of day they happen or where they happen -- make spectacular headlines in the same manner that mass shootings do in the United States. But, I'm not going to let this stop me from coming to St. Maarten nor worry about this every time I visit. Just like I'm not going to worry about a mass shooter when I go to our local shopping mall. Far too many people become polarized by fear that stems from incidents like this. The odds of becoming a victim of violent crime are extremely low, and you're much more likely to be injured in an automobile accident within a mile from your home than you will be traveling abroad.

Update
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/88403-two-shots-fired-during-purse-snatching-incident

There was nothing in that woman's purse that could have cost another life!! Let them have the damn purse. Try to stop them and you may get shot.

Luckily no one was hurt but could have turned out very bad.

Surprised this didn't make into this thread.
https://globalnews.ca/news/5371332/canadian-shot-sint-maarten/

These events do affect tourism.

So , how much shooting is acceptable for your vacation destination?

Wendell

Well considering I live in the United State in a heavily populated city, this will not deter us at all.

It was reported in another separate thread.

Comparing crime/violence in a density populated urban centre to a Caribbean island is not a fair comparison. Tourism is a key economic driver in Caribbean destinations, safety and protection is an essential component for sustained and increased tourism. Not to say that targeted vs random acts of violence are the same. We need to be vigilant and aware no matter what location we may be visiting. That said, reports of violence towards tourists does have an impact on the industry.