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

I agree. I have been through an armed robbery in a pharmacy many years ago, typically the business is shut down for at least a brief time for investigation and questioning. My appetite would have disappeared.

What I find odd about this is the reaction of people who seem to think it just could not have happened. It did. I saw a full restaurant before the robbery and a full restaurant after the robbery. We had been traveling since 4 AM and there was no food on the boat. I was hungry and my wife was too. There did not seem much point in leaving after things had calmed down and the police were present. No doubt we were all a bit shocked and it definitely was not expected. I had a nice meal, and it looked like everybody else did too. Including the couple sitting next to us who had to get up from the table to speak to the police because her purse was stolen. They came back to their table, and the staff removed their meal and brought them a fresh meal. I thought that was nice.

mprevo--So, the bad guys know to stay out of Grand Case on Friday and Saturday, but the rest of the week is fair game?

If it were just a snatch-and-grab as the robbers ran from the kitchen and out the door, it’s possible that a lot of people really didn’t appreciate what was happening AND those that did did not want to leave for fear of re-encountering thieves with guns outside the restaurant. That said, in addition to the reasons other folks have pointed out for disbelieving this story, wouldn’t anyone who had her purse stolen want to quickly contact banks to report lost/stolen ATM and credit cards? 🤷‍♀️

This will be my last post on this topic. When the couple sitting next to us came back to the table, they were both on their cell phones. I don’t speak French, but presumably they were doing what the last poster suggested. My wife said that the young woman was crying and appeared to be speaking to her parents. I suppose the folks who had their pursessnatched could’ve left the restaurant and made the calls from outside in the street or back at their hotels, rather than call from the restaurant, but I don’t see the point in that. But, what I do know is that I have absolutely no reason to fabricate these events.

I don’t think anyone is saying it didn’t happen. As something similar happened at Mezzaluna in Nettle Bay and a German tourist got shot What’s puzzling is not sharing the restaurant especially since you say they handled it amazingly. I have been searching police reports and other sites and not knowing the location in Marigot doesnt help. Reason being once it is published hopefully we will know if it’s the same perpetrators. Just watch your boat as there have been many issues posted about yachts being boarded and robbed as well. This is off season stuff. Not normally during high season. Very sad all around.

" My wife said that the young woman was crying"
You didn't see her crying too when you said they came back talking on phone sitting next to you? OK. Just tell us the restaurant so all of Marigot isn't trashed.

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

I agree Carol.

As for Marigot, I just don't go there at night. Period. I've heard too many bad stories.

I can't blame folks for not wanting to share info on this site. Some of you folks are brutal.

Maybe I am missing something, but I don't get where anyone was questioning the legitimacy of the event of implying anything was fabricated. Others may have chosen to handle it differently is what I got out of the comments.

All things, both positive and negative, should be welcome to be reported.

See I would probably make a point of going to the establishment knowing how well they handled the situation. But whatever. Glad everyone was ok

Kim--overall, I think that more people would avoid the place.

My take is the comment by CalifSacto " in addition to the reasons other folks have pointed out for disbelieving this story" make the OP think we don't believe him.
We ate in marigot at least 7 times in 4 weeks only once in daytime. Lights everywhere very busy people & cars around. We ate once in Grand Case & I still can't believe they lessened police presence or none that quickly with crime on the rise. There was no parking in Grand Case when we did go but someone pulled out as we were going to leave.
Now this in marigot. We haven't felt unsafe there in years. I think knowing name of restaurant more people might eat there thinking the perps would move on to another spot.

jeepers--to me, I feel like the perps would rather have MORE potential victims. It's not like they think tourists will be any threat to them.

Even with the night of no "extra" security we felt safe. Other then our experience on the Dutch side everything has been great

According to Jeff Burger's "skymed " newsletter a starter pistol was used at the Nettle Bay incident and he alluded that the Marigot incident was at a waterside restaurant in the inner harbor by a single person. Hmmmmmm.🤔

Back to the title of the thread, about the island changing. I began to dream of living here within hours of first arriving by air 20 years ago. We visited many times in the next decade or so before arriving by sailboat from Canada in 2018. We lived on the boat for 5 years - even through COVID - most of it in Marigot Bay. Through all that time, the island had always had for me a magical quality. Now after 2 years living ashore on the Dutch side, fully legal, as a tax-paying resident, I have to say that for me, the magic is definitely gone. There's a list of perhaps 10 things that have soured me on the place, but crime and corruption are near the top of the list.

We're leaving at the end of high season for our next adventure. Can't say when we might return to visit.

Agree CaribLee…Geesh!

Ritchard,
Wow, would love to hear more. I doubt we would go as far as you, but have been contemplating long sailboat stays in Winter.

I totally agree. Danny is great and today my wife and I helped a couple recover their backpacks that had disappeared on Happy Bay beach while they were at Danny’s bar. When they came out from buying a drink they immediately noticed that their bags were not where they were supposed to be. They came and ask if we had seen anyone near their stuff. We didn’t as we had just arrived and were getting settled in. We started to search the area with them, and I remembered to follow the advice found in this forum and told the woman to speak to Danny to let him know what had just happened and that he could perhaps have a good idea as to who could be responsible. I then went into the trail behind where they had lost their stuff and came face to face with a couple of shady dudes, one who just walked away and the other asking me what I was looking for. The way he addressed me, felt odd. At the same moment, a few feet away my wife was looking in the bushes and noticed two backpacks hidden in what appeared like an hole and immediately notified the owners. Sure enough they were their backpacks, looking as if they were moved/tossed in a hidden location. The funny thing was when the two suspicious individuals walked behind Danny’s, Danny came out furiously yelling at the two men. Luckily the owners of the backpacks didn’t lose anything, their real concern was the car keys they had left in one backpack, the rest of the stuff was of no real value. Thank you for the advice and information shared in the thread!! Happy Bay is an amazing and awesome place.. leave your valuables home and maybe keep your cash and keys on you if you swim or walk around. This way you can enjoy and relax in this amazing place.

Good that it worked out but seems to be a recurring problem there lately.

WOW!!! That is hard to hear, leaving after ALL these years!!! Sorry we never ran into you all this time!! Good luck on your next big adventure!!!

Glad you helped out the couple. It's sad, but one must be careful everywhere.

Saint Martin continues to be the best, easiest place in the Eastern Caribbean to laze about on a sailboat - if you like it lively. There's a great yachtie community here, great services, chandleries, all the fun spots in the lagoon protected from weather. From here you can jump south or west or east to visit all kinds of different places.

However, the real golden age of cruising in the Caribbean seems to be over. All up and down the chain, there are more rules and restrictions, and new costs, such as mooring fees in lots of places there didn't used to be such. This had to happen eventually, it couldn't be a free-for-all forever, but some of the old-timers are pretty testy about it.

I wrote a cruiser's guide to Saint Martin if you'd be interested in reading it - PM me with your Email address.

Thank you.

I have read this entire thread several times now, with great interest and concern. I must admit that I was surprised to hear that, after a robbery that involved firearms, the restaurant stayed open and everyone, it seems, went back to their meals.

I have been robbed at gunpoint, while running a bank branch some years ago. The robber fired the gun into the ceiling over my head, mainly to get everyone's attention and to get the cash he wanted.

Of course, I closed the branch immediately, took stock of the situation, dealt with the police, etc. But the ongoing concern was for the staff. They were all very shaken up, some traumatized to a greater degree than others and counselling was needed for everyone.

When I read about the reaction following the restaurant hold-up, I wonder if today we have all become numbed, to a great extent, with regard to gun crimes, robbery, violence and crime in general. We hear about it every day in the news; it forms major content in TV shows and movies.

Perhaps the reaction from the restaurant staff and guests is just a sad reflection of the times we live in.

Closing statement was well said. 👏

Very well stated. After going through an armed robbery at a pharmacy years ago (no shots fired but 3 guns aimed at various people, including myself and one to the head of the pharmacist), I also don't understand the handling of the situation and agree with you 100%. I was also shot at one time while in a car, it is something you never forget.

And to add to this discussion, there was an update in the fall that carib tourism is losing market share to latin america. I forget her name but she was either a dutch govt or tourism industry rep.

As for hiding in the woods, this is old as time.... I caught a cute 5 yr old girl hiding at Pinel when they still had the tall bushes. We were in the alcove shading and she quietly snuck behind us in no time... she said she was lost. Be aware at all times. Wear your valuables around your neck. I make a big scene of placing keys, cards, phone in my waterproof neck wallet everytime. Even if i could have that done prior to arriving...jic.