TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin I'm afraid our island is changing

We are here for two weeks right now. I can definitely tell a difference. Went to Grand Case last night to enjoy harmony nights but it was canceled. Crowds are noticeably smaller in Grand Case. In addition we were in Phillipsburg yesterday for the day. In trying to find a parking spot we turned left from a parking lot that we were not supposed to. A police officer flagged me down and was incredibly rude. I was very polite as one of the people traveling with us was a retired police office from the USA. I felt like he was trying to start a fight with me. I truly did not see the sign we missed stating to no left turn (figured out later the reason we did not see sign was because the police van was parked right in front of the sign). When i asked the officer what the sign looked like so I would not make the same mistake again the officer told me "it looks like me" then proceeded to stare me down for 30 seconds without saying a word. He then made us back out in to heavy traffic and redo the turn except turning right this time. I am afraid the friendly island is changing. We have been coming here for 15 years but I now find myself reconsidering.

I am not sure a blanket statement is correct with what you experienced. It has been known that the Harmony Nights are not happening this year (or postponed), I think due to costs for security because of the current situation in Grand Case. Thankfully it seems the police presence has improved the situation and that is great.

Making a wrong turn and I guess getting "berated" by an police officer sucks (not sure why having a retired officer in the car matters) might be embarrassing and upsetting, but not sure these incidents equate to an unfriendly island.

Have you done anything these 2 weeks that you have enjoyed, food, beaches or shopping? If not, for sure reconsider any future trips.

I mentioned the retired PO for reference so that people would understand we knew how to handle the situation. We were very polite, as I do if pulled over in the states. I was simply stating that in the 15 years we have been visiting SXM this is the first time I have felt "unsafe". As far as a blanket statement that was not my intention. I was simply relating my experience. As far as the harmony nights being canceled. I was not aware. Everything I read said it was postponed, but it was supposed to be happening last night. That is why we made our reservations. I understand things change and I am not holding fault for them canceling it. I was simply stating our experience.

BTW, we did not notice any extra security. The road was never closed down. We did notice two Gendarmerie walking down the street, but we have always seen that. We did not feel unsafe, I was simply stating what we saw.

He is just venting two unpleasant parts of the journey he did not expect.

Having seen the situation on Jamaica and St Thomas deteriorate over the years, I am thinking the whole Caribbean is a little less than it was and St Maarten is just getting its share of that “little less than”.

No one wants unpleasantness on vacation.

Sadly, the island needs to get their $hit together.

Venting is probably correct. We will be back again next year. We love this place too much to give up so easily. It is just sad that in the 15 years we have been coming that the first time I have felt threatened or unsafe was from a police officer. Everyone in our vehicle (including the retired police officer) felt as if the officer was trying to egg me on and start a problem.

I have been going for 30+ years and many others on here much more than that. It is sad. I will be there in less than 2 weeks and some in my group may be making their last visit for several reasons.

Some of us have seen and been saddened by the changes we've seen over the years in SXM (40+). Change is often unwelcome to many seniors, of which we have become. Yes, it was "the friendly island" and we wanted that to remain forever but time marches on and hurricanes and infrastructure explosion outpace normal progress and we've got traffic gridlock and more bold crime to add to the situation. Also, the government corruption and predictable reluctance of the population to "do the right thing" and you've got the current SXM. Please don't label this the voice of doom, but a realistic warning to those that expect yesterday's rather than today's SXM.

Progress and development takes away “island charm”.

The island is still #1 destination in this hemisphere IMHO.
St John USVI would be #2.
SXM has a long way to go to fall into Jamaica territory.

Crime is my only worry.

I don’t know if I have ever seen a local police person on the French side. Just French Gendarmes usually standing next to a car or in a truck.
On the Dutch side, Ive seen them around the bridge responding to a wreck.

maybe they are great and stay out of sight. Or maybe they need a few more and stay on constant visible patrol.

Come to think of it, has anybody seen a French side Gendarme sobriety checkpoint lately?

I am saddened they have already dropped extra security & no longer closed the street after 6. Lots of violent acts while we were there. There was an incident Jan 28 th in the French news as well. Someone robbed at happy Bay this week.

Although I sympathize with you and would also have been infuriated by such behavior, it happens everywhere, also in the USA.

I was married to a woman who had serious psychiatric problems.

One evening on Kimsha beach, she tried to commit suicide by jumping into the sea. Some righteous bystander phone the cops because we were pinning her down to stop her doing it.

They turned up and immediately pulled their guns on us. Under Dutch law, to do so they have to be threatened

When they finally believed us, I asked them to take her to a secure psychiatrics place. They refused and left us there...

Many Dutch side cops are incompetent and corrupt. If they recover a stolen car, they use it for themselves before finally returning it to the owner.

jeepers--that is very concerning, dropping the extra security already. And a robbery at Happy Bay? Wow.

As a visitor who has made the trek to SXM every year for 49 years, and often multiple trips in each year, I, too, have seen a dramatic change from the island we early on came to love so completely. But sadly, that’s life.
As visitors we all want more and with so many of these upgrades the changes offer negative side effects as well. What once was a calm and sleepy little Caribbean island has been discovered by not only hose of great means but by those who might do us harm.
The only thing that hasn’t improved, IN MY HUMBLE AND PERSONAL OPINION, is the quality of the policing on BOTH sides of the island. Oh, and the corruption on the part of new governments has changed, sadly for the worse.
But that said, of all the Caribbean islands I’ve been blessed to visit, I think it will always be my personal favorite.

don't be swayed, (although you don't appeared to be), from posting your honest opinions on SXM just because the militant apologists come out as usual to downplay any negative experiences in SXM, be it crime related, service related, or whatever...it's as though they have a vested interest in white knighting for the island

Just sad.................

Totally agree with rural carrier!! I hope the Canadians that were attacked in January & beaten 8:30 pm (according to a different site) have been able to return home!

Regarding the robbery at Happy Bay: We go to Happy Bay often on our trips. We have found that Danny (who operates the beach bar) keeps his eyes open for troublemakers and thieves. Two years ago a guy stooped by our sunshade and tried to sell us some trinkets carrying a designer branded shopping bag. We told him we were not interested. Within minutes Danny appeared behind our sunshade and told us to watch out for that guy, "He is a bad dude". Danny is great guy who looks out for his customers. when you arrive, make friends with him and ask him if there is anybody sketchy that you should be aware of. Just some helpful advice.

Has anyone here heard any details of what supposedly happened at Happy Bay?

A man named Allen Streich said $250 stolen from his wallet. He said they were there 3 hours & moved their belongings & chairs to edge for shade.they went into water before leaving for maybe 4 minutes & came back & backpack was gone..found it on trail a little ways. Wallet there cash gone. He said lots of people around but no one noticed. He said almost like they were hiding in the woods. He said he let his guard down. I think it may have been their first trip. Definitely not a good first impression & only one chance for that! Sad for sure!

The first rule on this island is never leave valuables unattended or out of sight. Learned that the hard way leaving a backpack in a locked rental at Orient to go back to take a bathroom break before I left. Gone in 60 seconds. Always assume someone is watching especially on a beach as deserted as Happy Bay. The surprising thing is that the wallet was still there.

jeepers--thanks for the info. Yes, not a good introduction to the island, if so. And I guess they were lucky that the thief only took the cash.

They have returned home and are still recovering from the attack. They won't ever be returning to SXM.

Elizabeth--who are you referring to? Are you talking about the incident at Happy Bay?

I think Linda is refering to a recent incident in Grand Case

Carol, Elizabeth is referring to my question about the Canadian couple attacked in January & suffered very serious injuries. Long time visitors to st Martin. Very sad this happened!! I'm happy they made it back home at least.

jeepers--ok thanks.

We are here now for a charter with Moorings. We were having dinner last night in Marigot. It seemed very nice until we heard screams coming from the kitchen. Then two men walked out of the kitchen wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks. They were both waving guns and started stealing purses from the tables. They were gone in a minute, but it was pretty surreal. We stayed for dinner and it was very good. We figured they would not be back.

WTF?!?!?!

That was my reaction. We felt horrible for the restaurant staff as well. They were great. After the police left everyone just sort of went on with their dinner.

Looks like SXM is attempting to kill the Golden Goose. The island is not that big for criminals to hide. It is time for locals to make a stand on the uptick in crime or be prepared for the consequences. The police can't do it

Just thanking dear God that you and everyone else were ok🙏

I find that hard to believe that you stayed for dinner and restaurant went on with business as usual. Suprising it wasn't closed for investigation afterwards. What restaurant was it?

Jeez, louise.. OMG.

What restaurant was this?

Update: Last night (Friday) and tonight (Saturday)the extra security was back in Grand Case. Friday night they had security shut the road down. It was not the Gendarmerie, but a different police. Tonight there was a strong Gendarmerie (armed) presence walking the street. Great experience, no issues. Lots of people and we all felt very safe. It is my understanding the road shut down and extra security will be happening on Friday & Saturday

We did stay for dinner as did everyone else, as far as I could tell. Why leave at that point? They were not coming back. Three police officers showed up and spoke to a few people, but I would hardly call it an investigation. Believe it or not, Scuba. And I am not naming the restaurant because they were very nice, and I don't want this crime to negatively impact their business.

Probably would not affect their business if mentioned but definitely is going to affect the Marigot area as a whole without at least mentioning the general area in Marigot.

Sounds like same guys that got Mezzaluna. Getting ridiculous.

Having only once had a gun pointed at me at a hotel in Orlando I can say for sure I wouldn’t have stuck around or ate my dinner or ever returned. You are scared sh*tless. That would be our last trip to any island where this happened.

I also find it weird that after an armed robbery in a restaurant that ANYONE present would just sit back and enjory their meal. Sounds a bit casual and almost an expected event.

Maybe it'sj just me but wow....