Crew of 4 robbed at gunpoint in St. Lucia

Talked with a captain friend of mine in St. Thomas tonight. He said the captain of a 112' Westport was robbed at gun point just outside YHG the other night. And that another boat was robbed while the crew were at a bar on the property.

He also said they heard four gun shots followed by sirens in the afternoon the other day.

And the beat goes on.

Report from The Ottawa Citizen

The recent attack on Ottawa's Terry Schwarzfeld and her daughter-in-law while walking along a Barbados beach is the latest incident that draws attention to the potential dangers of vacationing in the Caribbean and Central America.

A 2007 report by the World Bank and the United Nations said the Caribbean murder rate has risen to the world's highest, thanks largely to drug trafficking. Assaults also occur more frequently than the global average.

On certain islands, though, hurricanes, mudslides, or volcanic eruption rate higher risks than armed robbery or a beachfront mugging. And most all-inclusive resorts are walled compounds with extensive security.

But no country is crime-free. And prudence is needed even in supposedly safe areas, according to Inder Handa, president of Ottawa-based Handa Travel.

"The best way to know is through local people," Handa said.

"There is no safe place. It doesn't matter where you are. You have to be very, very careful."

Still, some sultry destinations are considered more dangerous than others by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Department of State, and Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

As seen by departments of foreign affairs:

1. Anguilla

Some petty and drug-related crime, but overall a low threat level.

2. Antigua and Barbuda

The overall crime rate against tourists is low, despite a recent increase in violent incidents. Two Britons died last July after a shooting in their room. An Australian yacht captain died after being shot in January.

3. Aruba

Considered safe, as is the case with other Dutch Caribbean territories. But the island has been earning unwanted publicity since 2005, when American teenager Natalee Holloway disappeared.

4. The Bahamas

Considered fairly safe for tourists. Crime that does occur is usually non-violent. Outer islands report fewer incidents.

5. Barbados

Barbados has a lower violent crime rate than many of its Caribbean neighbours. But violent crime against tourists is increasing, according to Foreign Affairs, who specifically point to the dangers of Long Beach, where the attack on Schwarzfeld took place. Police commissioner Darwin Dottin countered in a recent report that attacks on tourists are highly unusual.

6. Belize

Violent crime and sexual assaults against tourists have risen in recent years, the American government reports. Crime is rarely reported in resort areas, but can be a problem in larger cities. Armed gangs are known to prowl where tourists congregate, though.

7. Bermuda

Despite an image of shorts and scooters, tourists here are told to avoid deserted beaches and unpopulated areas after dark. Most crime is drug-related, according to the British government.

8. Cayman Islands

Some reports of robbery, assault, and sexual assault.

9. Costa Rica

Popular with adventure seekers, an increasing number of armed robberies and carjackings have been reported there, along with kidnappings where tourists are forced to withdraw money from automated bank machines. Sexual assaults on tourists have also been reported at beach resorts but remain rare.

10. Cuba

Reports of violent crime have increased, but the island is generally considered safe for tourists. Muggings and other attacks tend to occur in large cities. The Cuban government's full employment policy means all- inclusive resorts are heavily patrolled by armed security guards.

11. Dominica

Robberies can occur in tourist areas, but the region is considered safe.

12. Dominican Republic

Crime has increased recently. Violent attacks occasionally occur against tourists, including sexual assaults at resorts.

13. Grenada

Considered far safer than many other Caribbean islands, though street crime is common.

14. Haiti

All non-essential travel is discouraged, but adventurous tourists do visit the troubled country. Foreigners have been kidnapped, and gang violence continues despite UN efforts.

15. Jamaica

Violent crime is most common in urban areas, especially Kingston. But armed robbery and purse snatching occur throughout the country and can turn dangerous. Most resorts have significant security measures in place.

16. Mexico

Mexico's crime rate has earned plenty of attention in Canada. Foreigners can be targeted for violent assaults and robberies -- sometimes by hotel and resort employees. Kidnappings are common in large cities, but tourists are not specifically targeted, according to Foreign Affairs. Robberies can also happen on long-distance buses. Drug-related violence has plagued border regions with the United States. Women travelling alone are considered to face greater risk.

17. Montserrat

Crime is less of a concern here than hurricanes or the occasional volcano activity.

18. Puerto Rico

Occasional riots can spread to tourist areas.

19. Saint Lucia

The overall crime rate is low for the region. There are occasional muggings and armed robberies in tourist areas, and a few sexual assaults against visitors have been reported over the past year. Andrea Muizelaar, a former winner of Canada's Next Top Model, and a friend were assaulted last year by three men with knives after leaving their cruise ship.

20. Trinidad and Tobago

Gang violence is most common in Trinidad's inner-city neighbourhoods, and violent crime is on the rise -- including the use of firearms. Tobago is considered safer, but solo visits to beaches are discouraged. Attacks increased in 2008, including home invasions; a Swedish couple were murdered in their villa in October.

21. Turks and Caicos

Considered safe and a popular destination for Canadian tourists. This is not surprising, because ever since the First World War, a number of Canadian politicians have floated the idea of bringing the islands into Confederation.

22. Venezuela

The home of Hugo Chavez also has one of the world's highest crime rates. Murders and armed robberies occur in and around resort areas and national parks. There have been reports of foreign women being drugged and assaulted.

British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua, Aruba, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Netherlands Antilles, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

These islands, many of which remain British, French, or Dutch possessions, are considered safe compared to their Caribbean neighbours.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

With all the robberies that occur there I don't know why anyone would go to gunpoint!

Sitting here in Guernsey, where a bicycle theft makes a front-page splash, non of the above is news.

The Venezualan Sunday papers used to run a league table of murder by State or City, more interesting than following my baseball team(Go Pirates!). The average was about 25 per state, higher in Caracas, every weekend.

These figures seem very high but when you've seen members of the National Guard trying to stand up using their AKs in the pub and letting off a few rounds by accident, nothing shocks you.

Its the feeling you get from an area that keeps you alert, most of the Caribbean I have no problem with, only Panama was a bit 'iffy' due to being shot at a little bit.

Personally I think Puerto Rico is the worst place to be. I have been robbed 3 times there by gun toting child thugs. Once I didn't have any money and they took my clothes. I had to walk back home naked! I have had 2 cars stolen there and my home was broken into once and everything was taken. I absolutely hate having to go there. If it is at all possible I will even avoid a layover. The second worst place that I have been is El Salvador. Everyone there is carrying and if you aren't you are just going to be a victim. I knew that going there, so I was prepared.

Last year I had a lay-over in PR and walked back to my hotel from the casino, everyone said I was crazy. The only trouble I had was getting fleeced at Dennys.

Not crazy, just naive and lucky.

PR can be pretty nasty late at night: You get robbed, then your teeth kicked in for good measure.

Have bad experiences from St. Thomas as well: Friend and neigbour killed while walking the dog on the beech. She was the mate and co-owner of the charter boat "Alexander Hamilton".

That was some years ago, but not sure much if anything has changed...

Agreed, a captain friend of mine spent a year in PR and had nothing good to say about it. He is big guy with concealed carry and he was not comfortable.

And then there's the other side of the coin. Been there a couple of times myself and never had a problem. In fact just helped a friend take the boat he runs down there for a paint job and he lived and worked there for 3 years or so with no problems.

I would say the best side of the coin would be to know where you are and where you can go. I have traveled to just about every island in the Caribbean and most of Latin America. Before I head out, I ask my local contacts or at the hotel what the situation is in the surrounding area. I have been told everything from there's no problem in Buenos Aires to don't leave the hotel at night in Caracas and in Kingston. Of course this spans many years under different economic situations. Some places are worse than others and unfortunately, it can happen anywhere. While no one wants to be a victim, you should use common sense, go out in groups, don't carry a lot of cash, and leave the Rolex on the boat.

Stupidity has no borders; the Islands being more economically impoverished is hardly a surprise.
The income disparity being what it is, and resulting in criminal activity is a fact of life. Just remember to be diligent with a large dose of street sense.

Everyone has a different experience, a decade ago, I drove a Jeep by myself all over Mexico for 6 months doing beachfront resorts without as much as a flat tire.
When I was 19, I went overland from England to Sri Lanka and back without any problems over a period of a year, (granted you can’t do that now).

Even up here in Vancouver, we are amidst a drug gang war with bodies turning up every second day.

And there is Florida...

http://miamifl.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm