USVI-On-Line

All, I think I have clarified my position. I have also apologized if I offended anyone, especially those close to the Ayala family.

I did not blame the victim, merely stated what is a generally accepted fact about violent crime in the VI.

A very close friend of mine (we've known each other for 20 years) practiced law and was a public defender on STT from 1996 - 2006 (all attorney's on STT no matter what their specialty have to rotate as Public Defender throughout the year) so I am very familiar with the issues at stake here and I stand by my statement about the orientation and source of violent crime in the VI's.

I have also met and had discussions with other attorneys on island and their experiences with violent crime and domestic violence (including child and animal abuse which are serious ongoing challenges for USVI communities -- children being raped at 3 years of age or younger and animals being tortured are just a few recent cases).

I also asked a very reasonable question regarding the drug bust and illegal immigrant issue from December, 2007. Clearly there was some targeted violent crime surrounding Cap's place as written in the Source (Most recently in December, 2008). So something was terribly wrong because his business became a target in recent years.

Perhaps they have nothing to do with one another and this was a random act of violence.

As others have stated -- and as I stated (in so many words) in my previous post -- any loss of life is a tragic no matter what the circumstance.

Again, I am sorry for the Ayala family's loss and if I offended anyone.

So what does everyone think about the new bathroom photo post on "On-St-John" for the beach bar?

Sorry I posted it here, I just thought if anyone knew him, they would like to know. I've personally never went to Caps because it was more for the locals. It is sad when anyone loses there life. Crime happens in all places even in Paradise, it should not deter anyone from traveling. Just live your life and go to the places you want to go to and use the same precautions you would at home. St. John is still and I hope always will be one of the best places to go and I feel safe there.
To defend Gromit a little bit, I've read the same thing about Caps Place and that is why we did not go there in the past. I'm sure he was a good man, but the reputation of his bar was not very good in my opinion.

shoemak38 wrote:So what does everyone think about the new bathroom photo post on "On-St-John" for the beach bar?

I still think Miss Lucy's has the best and cleanest bathroom on the island

I saw this new bathroom at least during part of the remodel, and it still had its memorable odor. Hopefully they invested in a plug-in or something.

As for the original topic, just earlier this week someone had posted they got a good meal at Cap's but they were scolded for going there. And I know just from walking by it that there was drug activity. The pot smoke blows right outside.

Does that mean that the owner was involved? No. Does that mean he wasn't a good man or deserved to die? No. I don't think anyone said that. But I think more than likely we've all been told to avoid Caps because it had a "rough crowd." And, unfortunately, rough crowds tend to attract bad activities sometimes.

Not to fan the age-old debate, but this IS a tourism web site, and it is good to note that St. John is a relatively safe place. Sometimes bad things happen in good places. Just be smart, and hopefully you'll be OK. That's all anyone can do.

I, like the rest of you, was saddened to hear of the murder of Mr. Ayala. On several of our trips, we would stop at Cap's and a have Presidente or two. Once in a while we would get an odd look, but we never experienced anything more than that and were served just like everyone else. My sincere sympathies to all those affected.

I feel like an idiot for asking but where's Caps? Is it the "$2 Presinde" place across from Joe's BBQ?

I've only been there 2 or 3 times (if that's it)to run in and grab a quick...very cold beer.

That's the one - right across from Uncle Joe's. Very cold Presidente's!

Our very first beer we bought on island was from Cap's. We sat at the counter. I was not the least bit uncomfortable and have fond memories of that day. The beer was cold and hit the spot!

[quote="Lulu76"]
And I know just from walking by it that there was drug activity. The pot smoke blows right outside.

Uh oh, then Woody's and Quiet Mon are next, oh yea, and half of Coral Bay, cause I've walked by these places plenty of times and smelled the ole hoochy coochy. Drug activity !!

I better toss in the grand ole Beach Bar while I'm at it. Thanks Lulu. Damn pushers !Pushers !!!

Tracy in WI wrote:That's the one - right across from Uncle Joe's. Very cold Presidente's!

I have treated the place with a "It is what it is" mentality. I can get cold beer there. Someone invariably will offer to sell me pot. Same thing could happen about 2 blocks from my house in suburban Raleigh if I weren't such a dork and knew where the kids did their "weed dealing". (Use excessive quotation fingers there)

In any event, it's a sad story and I hope the person/people responsible are found and brought to justice.

Wakey wrote:What looks worse to tourists is when the local police drag their feet with their "investigation". But thats one man's opinion PS Just to make sure that I'm not misunderstood, I am pro law enforcement.

You are 100% correct. I was just trying to say that tourists will look at that--not any more than that.

That said---we just can't talk ourselves into going to Aruba. It isn't because of what happened as much as it is because I feel that law enforcement has not done quality work and I question their motives for dragging there feet. It sure looks like they are trying to protect one of the own. point? I agree.

Gina

We stop at Caps once in a while. It provides a good view of the comings and goings. We used to get there more often years ago, but I still find it a lot more interesting there than at Woodys.

Murder is a horrible thing. It's unfortunate that the character of the victim has been called into question when nothing is known about the circumstances of the murder. We all have our opinions but we should recognize when it's best to keep them to ourselves.

Gromit wrote:I thought I remembered a drug releated issue with Cap's Place. From the Source:

Cap's Place has been in the news before. A St. Thomas man was arrested in December for burglarizing the bar. The bar was the scene of a June 2008 armed robbery. Additionally, 14 illegal immigrants and 11 bags of crack cocaine were found in a December 2007 raid.

As always a violent crime of any kind is tragic and I am sorry for his family's loss.

I am going to step out on a limb here and defend Gromit a little. I feel like some of the comments toward Gromit have been harsh. But come on--the reporting from the source does raise an eyebrow. It is possible that he didn't know about the illegals or the cocaine. Who knows maybe he is a really nice guy who was helping a lot of shady people?? We don't know and I am quite sure that I will never know.

Tourists would probably find a little comfort in believing that the murder was not aimed at some random innocent person but someone who was involved in a dangerous lifestyle. That is sad but you know it is true.

I probably should keep my comments to myself but when I see comment after comment aimed at Gromit==I just wanted to remind you that without knowing the Captain that the source does raise some questions; and those questions probably do give tourists a little comfort.

We are all friends here . . . try to understand where each other is coming from.

Agree with GinaXOXO. While it easy to see how a reader could draw an inference from Gromit’s post, we don’t see those inferences. It seems to us that she just posted a past news article and did not intent for her post to be interpreted as it was – good intentions that went awry.