TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Anyone on island feel unsafe?

Our travel friends had a conversation with someone who said that he had been on the island in December and described the island as a war-zone. They were told that gasoline was in extremely short supply and that people were being stopped on the road by groups of men and robbed or had gas stolen from their vehicles. He said the island in many places was very unsafe and that the locals were receiving little to no help and therefore turning to robbing tourist. He said that the French side was particularly bad. He told them that he couldn't wait to get off the island and he wouldn't recommend that anyone go there. We were trying to plan a trip in July, but my friends wife is very uneasy after hearing that.

This sounds like what I was hearing right after the storm, but I haven't heard anything like that recently...can some of you that have been on island recently comment on this? Are there specific areas that are worse than others or should be avoided?

I just call plain B.S. on that entire statement. Absolutely untrue.

Sure doesn't sound like anything I have read on here or various other sources of information about St. Maarten/St. Martin. You also have island residents, Bill and Elaine stating to the contrary. I also have local friends on the island that I am regularly in touch with. While things were bad right after Irma, nothing like you are mentioned has been told to me by them.

Sadly, this is what happens when things get passed along, "chatter", rumors and such and it usually ends up being pretty far from what is actually going on.

If I were on the island now, I would use the same diligence I would on any other visit and probably be a little more mindful knowing the after effects of the hurricane. Less or no street lighting, debris around, etc.

Ditto what Elaine said. I've been on the island since the end of November, and have seen none of that here.

Was on the Island at the end of November, and will return tomorrow, our daughter is a student at AUC and she returned 3 weeks ago, none of us have seen the things the original post describes and aparts from obvious damage and some businesses closed, the Island was no different than the other times we have been. felt safe everywhere.

Amy and I have been here for the past 10 days and we completely disagree with these statements. "Couldn't wait to get off the island"!!?? Crap! I'm dreading leaving the island this Saturday. As we drive around, it is discouraging to see so much destruction, and we have realized that it will be years before St. Martin resembles what we remember. But, when we talk to the locals and they tell us about their experiences, we share with them how we thought about not coming, and then determined that we would so that we could spend money and share in their recovery in a very small way. Without exception, they sincerely thank us, some with tears.
For us, St. Martin is about the beaches, the food, and spending time together away from the kids. Well, the beaches we visit are better (so many fewer people) and the restaurants that we frequent that are open are still serving up the same amazing food. Plus, there is virtually NO traffic. I'm used to sitting in long lines of traffic here, but because the tourists have stayed away, the roads are clear and finding a parking place is pretty easy.
For those thinking of staying away out of fear, I say, get past that quick and come and enjoy.
Enjoying time with my beautiful wife in paradise,
Jim

I came here after Irma on Oct 11 the day after the airport opened and even though the Island was in terrible shape ; the population was warm and very friendly with huge spirit and happy to be alive. I traveled the whole Island and never was afraid nor did I see any people being harassed nor held up nor any gangs of youths. I was here for 8 days then and came back to Island on Dec 4 and will be here until April. The Island is very safe and the Dutch side of Island has cleaned up almost 100% of the debris left by IRMA. Restaurants are open and every week more and more improvements can be seen. We travel freely and have not had nor seen any problems at all with the local youths nor police etc. The feeling here is optimism and rebuilding.
Whomever your friend is that told you the BS should not be listened to.
To be perfectly frank ; this is one of the nicest times we have had in many years as it seems more like it was in the early 80's here with less traffic and congestion. I think anyone coming here now would be very happy and it would go a long way in helping the Islands economy. Please come and see for yourself and you will be pleasantly surprised at how the Island and it's people are doing.

Well said Benni and Jim.

Very absurd .

We just came back from 3 weeks there. No issues at all. Felt safe the whole time & got gas several times. And we travelled around & at night.

Very nicely said.

Benni,

My daughter and son in law have also been down, I’m thinking twice since Irma, and the second time they brought their entire family. They had a good time and no issues with safety at all. They went and did pretty much whatever they wanted wherever they wanted and expressed no issues at all beyond the sadness of seeing a place they’ve loved for thirty-five years in less than the normal condition of the Island.

I think the OP’s friends of friends have grossly over-reacted and yours is a far more accurate description of things the way they really are. Thank you for sharing a realistic and firsthand viewpoint of the way things are.

time to get some different travel friends I'd say.

Why would I need new travel friends when someone told them a BS story?

Thanks for the confirmation of what I believed to be the case based on what has been posted here and several other places...

What I find most curious is why would someone tell such an outlandish story and so emphatically recommend someone not to go to St Martin because it wasn't safe.

Maybe their tolerance level for safety is very low and did not feel comfortable or safe enough.

Some people thrive on drama.

Correct !

We WERE THERE beginning of Dec. for 10 days. We drove around the island daily. We never had any issues. The storm had been 3 months previous to our visit and they were working nonstop to get places open and operating again. Cruise ships started returning. SXM STRONG................ guess everyone has their own experiences and opinions but we went and witnessed with our OWN eyes the rebuilding of our favorite place on Earth. SXM -- Stronger than the Storm.