STJ Tradewinds Article for those heading down soon

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:10 pm

There was an article in the STJ Tradewinds about some recent villa burglaries. I know it doesn't happen often and can happen anywhere - but I see lots of you lucky folks heading down soon and thought I would forward it on....

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Police on St. John are investigating three separate reports of unauthorized persons entering into private villas and removing personal items and cash.

The first incident, classified as a Robbery 1st Degree, occurred on Sunday, April 20, about 8 p.m. A couple in their mid-40s, visiting from Arlington Va., reported to police that they were having dinner on the porch of their villa the in Enighed area when an unknown black male entered the villa and demanded money. The suspect was wearing a mask in the shape of a wolf and carried a handgun, the couple told police. The suspect took $200 and left without harming the couple.

On Tuesday, April 22, at approximately 8:30 p.m. police responded to a call from a vacationing couple who reported that an unknown person or persons apparently entered their Klein Bay villa while they were sitting on an outside porch. The couple told police when they reentered the villa they noticed several items in disarray. An iPod and $150 in cash were missing, they said, however they did not see anyone in the area.

On Thursday, April 24, at approximately 11:40 p.m. a Burglary 3rd Degree was reported from a villa in the Chocolate Hole area of St. John. Two couples in their mid-50s, who are regular visitors to the island and staying at the villa, told police they returned home from dinner and found that a camera, jewelry and a pair of binoculars were missing.

St. John Deputy Chief of Police Darren Foy said investigations into these incidents are ongoing and are being followed up on by Investigation Bureau detectives. The deputy chief added that villa owners and managers can increase safety by utilizing additional safety measures.

"Many of these villas are in secluded areas and prime targets for crimes of opportunity," Chief Foy said.

He suggested that owners periodically check the status of alarm systems and motion detectors and install these safety measures if none are present. Visitors should inquire about alarm systems and motion detectors when renting villas and make sure all doors and windows are secured when they are in the villa or away.

"All Virgin Islands residents should take the necessary steps to secure their homes," said Foy. "Safety begins with you."

Nancy_B · Post by **Nancy_B** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:19 pm

Tracy, thank you for posting. We'll be sure to keep our villa locked up and our valuables in the safe while we are there. When we first started going to the island, we weren't as cautious but now we tend to be more so. There are always a few bad egges everywhere - doesn't stop me from loving St. John!

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:24 pm

Our villa rep told us that there were some recent burglaries in this area. We are being hyper vigilant but still feel very safe.

"Let's all be careful out there."

Pete (Mr. Marcia) · Post by **Pete (Mr. Marcia)** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:35 pm

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) wrote:Our villa rep told us that there were some recent burglaries in this area. We are being hyper vigilant but still feel very safe.

"Let's all be careful out there."

By way of explaination...Marcia and I have been watching reruns of "Hill Street Blues" lately.

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:47 pm

We haven't heard about that and we're here now. But we lock our doors at night and any time we go out. It scares me but it would not stop me from coming to St. John. There's crime everywhere. You can't come here and think just because you're in Paradise that these things don't go on. Honestly, there's a great deal of poverty on the Islands and the wealthy tourists are easy targets. Leave your jewelry and expensive things at home. And be vigilant.

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:09 pm

Side note to Pete and Marcia -

IT WAS SNOWING AGAIN TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WILL IT EVER END?

Tracy

Chickadee · Post by **Chickadee** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:31 am

The part that bothers me is that in 2 of the 3 instances people were AT the house when the burglary happened. I don't ordinarily lock the doors of the house when I'm there (except at night) but suppose I will be doing that from now on.

Problem is that the design of most villas is such that if you're out on your deck someone could easily stroll up and accost you there without encountering any locks of any kind.

tjwgrr · Post by **tjwgrr** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:16 am

Tracy in WI wrote:The first incident, classified as a Robbery 1st Degree, occurred on Sunday, April 20, about 8 p.m. A couple in their mid-40s, visiting from Arlington Va., reported to police that they were having dinner on the porch of their villa the in Enighed area when an unknown black male entered the villa and demanded money. The suspect was wearing a mask in the shape of a wolf and carried a handgun, the couple told police. The suspect took $200 and left without harming the couple.

The armed robbery where the villa guests were confronted is especially bothersome- say those folks didn't have any easily accessible cash or valuables?

I guess locking the doors even when your in the villa, and those not visible from the porch when sitting outdoors is a good idea....

Pianogrl · Post by **Pianogrl** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:45 am

Just gotta say this is really disturbing & unsettling but I also do realize it could happen anywhere. We're always "on guard"...even on vacation. I think for me it's more the feeling of being out of your normal environment & routine - I just sometimes feel a little more vulnerable. The boldness of the intruders when people are at the villas is most unsettling.

Rachelle & Joe · Post by **Rachelle & Joe** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:16 pm

Thankfully no one was hurt !!!! As we all know crime is everywhere & i'm sure we all take extra precautions while traveling ! this realy pee's me off to know that even if we lock up & take all the suggested cautionary measures we still have to worry about having dinner at villa outside or even laying by the pool enjoying the view & what our $$$$ has paid for! Wishing all of us SAFE Travels !

Berlingirl · Post by **Berlingirl** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:57 pm

Wow, we were on-island last week and stayed at the Westin where there is def security just about everywhere. Seems the thieves are getting even more bolder these days. We did a private villa last year and don't know of many of those that are NOT "private". (The villa we rented didn't even have a safe.) That is the idea of a villa in my mind. Hate to worry after spending many many thousands of $. Maybe if the 8 police SUV's were driven around the island a little bit. Seems everytime we drove by the station they were all prefectly parked and shined right up. That said, we're always thinking of security anyway...at home and on vacation. Better to be safe than sorry.

mathayom · Post by **mathayom** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:07 pm

Budget just got approved for a new fleet of vehicles, too. The current ones are 2 1/2 years old and have "been put through an unusual amount of wear and tear". Right.

dehman · Post by **dehman** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:48 pm

I know this is usually an upbeat forum and I love it for that but...as was said before more of those patrol cars should be out instead of parked. This type of brazen crime needs to be dealt with harshly. We all live around crime especially here in Baltimore. But we don't pay premium prices to be exposed to this while on vacation, especially when there are many choices out there. Many crimes seem to go unsolved for many reasons that the locals have given me but most of these could be solved- I mean you are talking about a very small island only reached by boat!!! that is a detectives dream!! The new police chief and the governer need only to look at St. Croix as one of the many examples of this sort of thing hurting tourism- the lifeblood of all these islands. As a property owner I am very concerned at how the petty crimes have escalated over the past few years. The authorities need to remember where their "bread is buttered" and act so that this sort of thing can be deterered in the future for the good of everyone!!

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