TravelTalkOnline Forums Thread Like Summary - 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 can't blame folks for not wanting to share info on this site. Some of you folks are brutal.

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?

Honestly, I don't really think the name of the restaurant is that important. They can't be blamed for being a victim.