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Hopefully they get this situation under control, as it is mostly cruise ship visitors there on Great Bay beach.

And another casino robbery.
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If they don't get it under control, the cruise lines will advise their passengers to stay on the ship; definitely not a good thing for Philipsburg businesses.

Even worse, if it continues down hill, the cruise companies will find other ports of call.

For sure, everyplace in P'burg will be out of business without cruise ship crowds.

Not good for the island.

What I don't understand, is the the Dutch government knows how important the cruise industry is to the island. Why wouldn't they have tons of coverage along the boardwalk and the beach!! Ever go to Jones beach on long island??? Not only do you have the state police but beach patrol on foot touring the beach!! AND the town of Babylon police!! That is at least a ten mile stretch!! They can't hire beach patrol people??? As another poster stated, the ships will advise not to go to the beaches!!! Department of tourism wants nothing better than to keep the cruise people coming!!

On to the robbery. Again, what I don't understand. At Casino Royal, they have guards out front. One year for halloween we were hopping around, thought it would be fun to go to the casino in full face costume. THAT did not work out so well. We were stopped at the front door. No full face makeup allowed! We were turned away. How did these guys get past the door with masks on??? Someone was sleeping at the door!! Again, if they don't get a hold of this problem, another casino will close!! In both cases, glad no one was hurt!!!

Dutch government has nothing to do with it since 10/10/10.

Guards aren't armed.

Do you suppose they had guns to convince the guards to let them in?

I remember years ago 1st time going to SXM, I had a beach bag that locked to the beach chairs and locked closed. Wow, what do you do, not go in water together? I mean you bring your cell phone to the beach with you, right? Money, etc.?? YIKES!

Your guess is as good as mine!!!

We were in Roatan, Honduras two years ago. They have armed guards along the boardwalk on West Beach so the crime rate is low.

Packsafe. That is a good solution.
Even having patrols, it can happen. The police/patrols can't be everywhere all at once.

Re: Caribbean Canadians - We had a similar experience in Jamaica some years ago. Armed guards were posted at each end of the hotel's beach, to keep non-guests off the beach and to prevent non-guests from swimming in to the hotel grounds. Similar situation on a trip to Cartagena. Not really conducive to a relaxed vacation. Hope it doesn't come to this in SXM.

US just came out with a travel advisory for Jamaica because of crime. It's everywhere. Home here too.

When you have no idea who's coming and going this is what happens.

SXMBND--Politics does not belong here on this board.

I don't consider The Constitution politics............ your sandbox ......your rules.

what is the world has it got to do with the Constitution? No politics.