USVI-On-Line

Seems like the advice is different depending on the travel location. Some islands you are advised NEVER to lock your parked vehicle, as that is just a message to thieves to smash the windows because there must be something good in there.

What say you on STJ...lock the jeep while you are on the beach? Close the windows to avoid chickens laying eggs on the seat, but leave it unlocked and pray no one steals your cooler and wet tshirts??

I've never had any experiences of theft on St. John, nor have I heard of any theivery (Is that a word?)

We always lock our Jeep when we go to the beach but I can't imagine that it's even that necessary. I don't carry any cash above $20 anywhere when I travel and I keep my camera on the beach with us. I think you'll be o.k. either way. There might be petty thieves on St. John but I highly doubt any are brazen enough to smash a window.

What does everyone else think? Am I naive?

We usually lock the car up.....but mostly I think it's just out of habit!!!

i leave mine open. and never leave anything of value in the car--coolers snorkels/fins chairs towels those all can stay in if need be--camera's wallets (thee obvious stuff)

I'd say leave it unlocked, without valuables. We do have thieves, but they have no interest in towels or t shirts. Windows do get smashed occasionally. I usually leave my windows down to emphasize the lack of costly items, & I have never had anything taken out of my car.

Thanks, everyone!

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I lock it only because if the rented vehicle or something on the inside is stolen with the door unlocked then I become responsible for the loss. If it is locked the insurance covers it.

Here's my opinion... when I am at home I lock my car doors and keep valuable items out of sight. When I am on vacation it's no different.

That being said, we do usually unzip the windows of the jeep and there were occasions when we left towels and a few items in the Jeep and didn't zip the back window up and didn't have a problem.

Knock on wood I have never had any issues on STJ or here in NoVA.

Generally, in addition to all my regular crap I always like to pack my common sense for vacation too. Although squeezing it in sometimes can be a pain!

Never take your good stuff to the beach.