TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin seeing the french police everywhere

I have been on island for 3 weeks and go to Orient almost every day. As I cross the border there is a sign that says Gendarmes and then there is one on the side with a weapon and two on the other side. Today i saw them stop a local bus and not for a ride. On Wed going thru the French Quarter I saw at least 30 police all over. On Friday coming home through Marigot they were all over. I have been coming here several times a year for 20+ years and have never seen so many police. Any one know what the story is?

Doing their job maybe? There was an escaped convict on the loose, drinking issues, stray dog round up and trying to put a dent in the crime that many complain about.

I personally would think it is a good thing to see this kind of presence.

We saw a stepped up police presence on both sides during our two weeks in January. We were never stopped or bother but they were definitely much more diligent and, in all honesty, there presence was welcome given some of the issues over the past few years.

How about all the terrorism hitting France. I would think all the territories would be on a heightened alert.

We were staying in the Oyster Pond area from Jan - March and saw police almost every day on our drive to or from Orient. We were stopped twice, our papers checked and then allowed to drive on. The highest police presence we have seen in all the years we have visited. I was happy to see the increased vigilance.

For the first time in forty-three years, during our April trip we encountered the gendarmes just before the monument coming into the Dutch side near Cupecoy. There were four or five armed with guns but they didn't appear to be stopping anyone, or at least, not that we could see. We've encountered them a few times at the roundabout leaving Marigot heading to LaSavane and several times in the OB area, but we were surprised by their new-to-us presence in that particular location.

But as previously stated, it is a French territory and they should be taking the elevated terror levels seriously. In honesty, I couldn't distinguish as to whether they were military or police or a combination of both but they were there near the border in numbers. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Several things going on.....Checking for and closing illegal garages used for stolen cars / parts, continue to look for escaped convict, several boats with illegals entered Island and they are having training sessions. Personally, I love the increased presence.

We saw a rather large contingent coming in on Rue de Hollande from Cole Bay. The way they were standing on the side of the road, I think they were looking for people not wearing a seat belt or using a cell phone while driving.

I've thought for a long time that French St. Martin would be a target for terrorists. Not happy that the planes fly so low over the beach.

Kish-- Do you recall which papers are being checked? Is this at the Dutch/French border?

The reason I ask is I was planning on not carrying any ID, passport, etc... I will most likely have one CC, a bit of cash, and that's it. I am hoping this will not cause any problems?

My girlfriend is a US resident, but with a Ukranian passport. We have been told by the French embassy that a visa may be required... and are worried about travelling back via ferry from Anguilla.

Apparently she is able to fly into Philipsburg without a visa... But I would hate to run into the same problems just travelling throughout the island from one side to the other.

If you are driving I would have my drivers license and a photo copy of my passport. Not sure on the girlfriend.

if its a rental car you might want to have your car agreement with you as well.

When we were stopped in March all they asked for was a drivers licence

They want to see ID, your DL is fine if you don't want to carry a passport while on island. By law you must always carry ID, on the Dutch or French side. You can be detained without it. They also want to see papers for the car, ie rental agreement, and could breathalyze you too. The GD just want to know who you are.