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I didn’t expect so much chatter to come from my ‘incident’. My point was simply to convey a message – be aware and be vigilant.
But I’ve noted a trend in comments, in my thread and the ‘Rant’ thread, that I have to comment on. The feeling seems to be going in the direction of ‘don’t worry, be happy’ – ie; so what, robberies happen everywhere. Yes, that’s true. But do not be lulled into complacency and think that since robberies do happen everywhere that it’s no big deal that they happen in Negril too. To me it is a big deal - I won't write it off because 'it happens everywhere'. I don't think its OK at all. And it’s not just thievery. It's low-life criminality.
I had several conversations with Jamaicans on this trip that took me aback and gave me concern for the Negril that I love.
- I was warned not to walk a section of road, not far from my accommodations, or ‘I would be robbed.’ That took the air out of my buoyant mood that night. I was with Bea, so I worried until we got home.
- I was told that there is a lot of thievery (break and entry) in the area, and that thieves are often hunted by people in the neighbourhood. Vigilantism is a symptom.
- A party was going on next to a bar I was in, all young men attending, and I was told to beware of the group when I left. Beware? What should I have done? Ran away, maybe? Called for an escape vehicle?
- I was having a conversation with a nice older woman when she suddenly lamented to me that there ‘was so, so much crime in Negril now’. My heart went out to her.
- A man said he no longer walked in a section of road (a different one from above) ‘because there are strangers up there’ that he was wary of. Previously, he told me, that that area had been contested by two gangs of young men.
- My observation is that there is a greater police presence in Negril I guess this is a good thing. The reasons for the greater presence, however, are bad things.
- A new police commissioner (not sure of the rank or the correct nomenclature) recently arrived in Negril from a rough area of Kingston. At a neighbourhood meeting he said his mandate was to ‘clean up Negril and bring it back to what it was’. Good stuff, I hope he succeeds. But he also said that he felt Negril was approaching a ‘tipping point’. He compared it to an area in Kingston that turned bad when he was there. I got this fresh second-hand from a guy who is a straight talker and was at the meeting, so write it off as hearsay if you feel like it.
- Westmoreland’s most wanted criminal was shot dead by the police in a residence in Negril during my stay. Supposedly in a gun fight. I’m glad they got this guy, he was despicable, but I’m just sayin’. In Negril? WTF!
For the first time in all my visits to Negril, at times I felt uncomfortable. At times I felt unwelcome – this mostly from punks who glared at me as I walked by. I was overly aware of people walking up behind me. My spidey sense went off on several occasions. All of this was before I was robbed.
I didn’t write about any of this in my blog because at the time I just put it off to old-man paranoia. You can go with that if you want to. But having a punk attempt to get into my bedroom at 2:30am crystalized my feelings. Evry’ ting is not Irie in the island paradise.
That’s why I split.
I’m not fear mongering. It’s no secret that crime in Negril is on the rise. My impression is that it is not as safe as it once was, and it’s nowhere near as safe as some people think it is or make it out to be or ‘feel’ it is.
By all means – go to Negril. Have fun and interact with the good people. But be aware that the criminal element is very, very real
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Thank you Kahuna3. Having just returned safely from a 10 day visit to Negril; I did notice that there was an increase in security at several places I visited and at the place where I stay. This doesn't happen because attraction/restaurant/resort owners want to spend money and employ more security.
It's for a reason. We walked west end and town area and beach road and were not accosted except by sellers of aloe, weed,hard drugs, and the shopkeepers whose job it is to get you to visit their stores. Thank goodness we had no problems; but we could have. We are aware of that. But being careful people we escaped any harm and will continue to visit Negril and I hope you will too.
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Thanks for writing this. Thugs are ruining things for the *good* people. And, will more than likely only get worse. Thugs would rather steal what you have worked hard for instead of working, so they can but their own *stuff*. I understand about the feeling uncomfortable and don't blame you for heading home. That would take the fun out of any vacation.
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I agree. Thanks for having the courage to post this.
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Kahuna, good to hear from you. Very sorry your trip was cut short but glad you are safe. My wife and I will be there in a couple weeks and were looking forward to seeing you walk by on the beach while we enjoy our morning coffee. Reading your books and your posts have always entertained us. For us it is always good to reunite with the good friends that we have associated with and grown together with for many years. Besides our Jamaican friends we always seem to run in to friends from other states and countries that visit Negril the same time we do which also makes our visits special. I sincerely hope in time that you will consider returning to Negril although right now I would understand if your answer was no. We wish you and Bea the best. To good health and long life. Respect.
Soon come can't come soon enough!
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Kahuna, sorry about the theft. But thanks for your post above. I for one have noticed some of the same things you have in recent trips. Me and my wife had a pair of pants and a purse fished out the window of our room while we slept. They cut the screen and used a clothes line pole to fish them between the bars in the windows. We now make sure things can't be reached in this manner. Also i set some bottles against the luvers that fold out so if someone pushes them open it makes a lot of noise. We only lost about 40$ us which I think was cheap for such a valuable lesson. Like you said folks should not become complacent. No matter how good your A game is things can happen especially if you have something to drink. No one is on there a game after a night of drinking so be careful folks.
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Thanks for posting this...
I'm a lot more familiar with Kingston having lived there off and on for 5 years, it's a dangerous place. Stuff goes on there that you couldn't even imagine. Some of that mentality and culture will eventually spill over into Negril as people move around, travel through, looking for a better/easier way to make a living or even get food to eat for the day.
Negril is a tourist haven and is seen as a place where for the most part rich whiteys come to party. Most locals can't even imagine having the money it would cost to fly in, stay at the hotel, eat and drink what ever you want, like we can. We are so fortunate be able to come visit and enjoy ourselves. The police take it very seriously when something happens to a tourist. Good hard working Jamaicans are sickened by what they see the "yout" doing. I'm so sorry that this happened to you Kahuna but as you say your "spidy senses, were tingling before the robbery. Thank goodness you were ok and Bea was not there. I hope you will both want to return in time.
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Thanks Kahuna for keeping it real and posting this...My partner who grew up and lived in negril and has family and friends there doesnt even feel comfortable there anymore..lot of places he wont walk by,go ,etc...when just a year ago it was never a problem.....ie. if the local jams tell you not to go there, or be careful-you'd be a fool not to listen to their advice..With that said we will be hanging out in Negril in Apri for a little time-were aware of whats going on but will still go and have a goodtime-will just be extra careful and more on guard like we were when we were there in Dec..and yeah Rob -on our "A-game" for sure..
The bottom line-it is what it is..crime has increased..
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Are you freaking kidding me??
An old laptop gets "stolen" and we're all freaking out...with all the crappy things going on in this world...seriously??!!
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I think the home-invasion part is what's heavy, not the laptop ..... Plus the sad irony that Roland had done so much to promote Negril and stand up for tourism. He had booked for 97 days, so it's obvious he was incredibly loyal to Jamaica and particularly Negril.
I know that both you and Rob are in a tough spot here. We greatly appreciate you guys letting this play out. I think it's important.
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Thanks for posting about your theft to make others aware. My first trip in 1999 I was giving a 24hr driver and security. Now after 13 trips on my own over the years my only theft was exchanging money on the street on a Sunday. I was informed from my 1st trip to use the bottle alarm like Chi-Town posted. I was also informed to make sure u have the safe key on your body at night not on the table. I know from my 1st trip to leave the bling at home you are in a poverty stricken country.
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so did you tell your friends to stay home?
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Just got caught up on some of the stuff going on here, anyway, last trip in dec, I had some strange "spidey sense" a few times. Even as I was walking in the day? I sensed some change with the vibe at times. I believe its less noticeable when hanging out in a group, but as some one who often is out alone, I have changed some of my habits the last few trips. I have also been warned "not" to go some places from some one I trust, and have followed this advice. I will travel to Negril again, but will change some of my habits and will be more careful of whats going on around me not just because of one or two incidents, but because I believe its the smart thing to do.
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Thank you Kahuna..you have done us all a great service by posting what happened.. I, for one really do appreciate it..and will take heed.
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Bnewb how can you be so hateful. This man was robbed while in his room, anything could have happened to him. If this is 'no big deal' then you are condoning what was done. Would it have been better if K3 had been killed? Would that have been news worthy?
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Wow...big ups to you Kahuna. It may have been an "old" laptop but still...have some empathy.
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Really??? What a strange thing to say and extremely insensitive, to say the least. Yes, the laptop can be replaced, but he could have been harmed or worse.
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Insensitive is an understatement... :( It's outrageous!
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I thought this website was supposed to be the best info on Negril. It is sad that web site administrators seem to downplay conversations which might shine a bad light on Negril for someone new who might look at this site. I understand people post hearsay. But when you know its a reliable sorce why downplay or say its just a old laptop when I am guessing it was a terrifying experience for him. Sad.
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I am personally paranoid with all of our stuff when we are staying away from home. Anything that's loose, that could walk away when we are sleeping is stuffed between the mattress and box-spring we are sleeping on. That's in a 1 room hotel.
I only do this, because I have had stuff stolen before. Not in Negril though. College Dorm, Hotel room in the states. House broken into in Miami. Car broken into in Miami. Actually most of the bad stuff that happened to me, was when I was living in Miami.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
bnewb
are you freaking kidding me??
An old laptop gets "stolen" and we're all freaking out...with all the crappy things going on in this world...seriously??!!
wow!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bnewb
Are you freaking kidding me??
An old laptop gets "stolen" and we're all freaking out...with all the crappy things going on in this world...seriously??!!
Maybe it's time to take the rose-coloured glasses off Bnewb!! I'm sure it was more than just getting his laptop stolen. I sure as hell know that if I encountered someone in my room with who knows what kind of weapon, I'd never get a good night's rest again and would also prob go home. Just because you and Rob have never had this happen to you doesn't mean it doesn't happen. So sorry this happened to you Kahuna and thanks for sharing.
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Thank u for sharing... I too felt "uncomfortable" or shall I say, worked extra hard at being "aware".... A friend of mine, a visitor of many years was forced off the road on his scooter at night, robbed at knife point and his money and scooter stolen, a small cut on his face. Well, we went back and rented scooters again.... But its not the same, we never travel alone. I travel with a group of grown men, "gym rats" x wrestlers, wives stay home. We go to eat, drink, relax, enjoy friends. In 30 years,never done the prostitution thing, avoid hard core stuff, only enjoy the local produce.... Its not the same..... The happens everywhere is not an excuse, there is a more violent, criminal element that needs to be addressed.
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How frightening! I know that I had a burglary in my home one time and it was traumatic. It really does shake your feeling of well-being.
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Although I've never had anything stolen from me in our 20+ trips, I've heard of numerous stories of people being separated from their money or belongings. I tell newbies that they need to be careful and aware and to leave valuables at home whenever possible. The easy access to cash in Negril also means you really never need to have more than a couple hundred dollars in your possession at any time.
I think security is a major selling point of my hotel of choice also. However with that said, my newbie speech always goes like this.......the most dangerous thing in Negril is the road, learn how to effectively and respectfully say no to hustlers you don't want to deal with and keep a close eye on your belongings. In all the time I've spent there, I've never really heard about anyone being hurt by a thief. Can't remember a single story of bodily harm toward a tourist. Theives want your stuff but don't want to hurt anyone, IMO. That may not be consolation to Kahuna or anyone else whose been shaken up by a robbery, but it certainly is to me. I still feel completely safe in Negril with regard to my well being.
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Our house got broken into a few years ago during the day while we were at work. My wife slept with a large knife beside her bed for a year!
BUT... You all are getting very personal here. Lets all calm down and try to keep our cools.
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WOW...this is fun to wake up to...apparently nobody gives the benefit of the doubt...
I was going to have Rob delete the comment as I'd NOT written it....I apologize for failing to sign out of my account (computer lesson #101) & one of the people we had all been discussing this matter with...felt it would be provoking to post their feelings under my name (this person has already apologized...we'll leave it at that).
But only since it's already out there & only because I've received a number of pm's in support of the comment & only because we seem to blindly believe information put all over the internet & only because we make heroes or in some cases enemies out of people we don't even know are telling the truth or not...here are MY actual thoughts....
Let's start with you can't always believe what you read!
Second...I'm not an administrator on Negril.com...Rob and the Negril.com staff are the administrators...it's never been said by Rob or the Negril.com staff that I'm an administrator for Negril.com.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dana1
Maybe it's time to take the rose-coloured glasses off Bnewb!! I'm sure it was more than just getting his laptop stolen. I sure as hell know that if I encountered someone in my room with who knows what kind of weapon, I'd never get a good night's rest again and would also prob go home. Just because you and Rob have never had this happen to you doesn't mean it doesn't happen. So sorry this happened to you Kahuna and thanks for sharing.
Third...no one that actually lives here has the audacity to say to another person actually living here to take "the rose-coloured glasses off". Your speculation & assumptions are interesting though...and from a personal level...where did Rob or I ever say that I've had nothing happen to me? I could blow you out the water with events that have happened in my life back in Canada...but I choose to keep my information private so it's not splashed all over the internet as rumour & speculation. As someone once told me...I have to "suck it up" and "expect to be discussed" as we are "celebrities" which is far from the truth...we are only somewhat known around here. Rob wrote only in reference to the number of years he has spent here.
Fourth...as far as Kahuna is concerned...Rob & I have known him for years...he & Bea are part of our lives. We enjoy his company when he is here, Rob has proofread his first two books and I was honoured to be a recipient of an advanced copy. The feelings go deeper than most of you would understand & when one of our friends has been hurt somehow, we take this very personally.
So in conclusion...don't let anyone use your computer to check their emails without first signing out of everything...
I have learned my lesson!!!
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Oh lord....... It's obvious the tone of your conversation was in line with whoever you claim used your account.
The backslapping on this site cracks me up.....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
booger
Oh lord....... It's obvious the tone of your conversation was in line with whoever you claim used your account.
The backslapping on this site cracks me up.....
Sounds like speculation & assumption to me!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bnewb
where did Rob or I ever say that I've had nothing happen to me?.......Rob wrote only in reference to the number of years he has spent here.
Rob did....in his rant! Here is the actual quote...."After living here daily for over 20 years, I have had zero incidents of theft"
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I have lived in Negril for much of the last 4 years; I like it (understatement), I make it my home and I will have a business here.
When I decided to sleep in the local community, I started thinking and doing like a resident. When you aren't Jamaican (I am not) there is a LOT to learn, at times it feels like trying to drink water from a fire hose. I really like the neighborhood where I live and once in a while **** has gone down. Situations that had nothing to do with me, but involved people in my area. People have issues and disagreements and they WILL handle them differently than you are used to. I am learning to live in the flow of what is here.
I want to respond to a comment made in another thread about men & women and children. I too came here with certain viewpoints and opinions, and many of them have been busted by what I am learning. At times there have been aspects of Jamaican relationships and family life that really blew my mind and I had to sit with the concepts for a couple weeks until I could absorb it and develop an understanding. Now I can see beneficial qualities here that are absent in the north american style of family I was raised in.
I propose it is our own culture that is rubbing and making us uncomfortable when we are here, not the Jamaican one.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dana1
Just because you and Rob have never had this happen to you doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dana1
Rob did....in his rant! Here is the actual quote...."After living here daily for over 20 years, I have had zero incidents of theft"
Where did he mention me? You've just proved my point!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lola
I have lived in Negril for much of the last 4 years; I like it (understatement), I make it my home and I will have a business here.
When I decided to sleep in the local community, I started thinking and doing like a resident. When you aren't Jamaican (I am not) there is a LOT to learn, at times it feels like trying to drink water from a fire hose. I really like the neighborhood where I live and once in a while **** has gone down. Situations that had nothing to do with me, but involved people in my area. People have issues and disagreements and they WILL handle them differently than you are used to. I am learning to live in the flow of what is here.
I want to respond to a comment made in another thread about men & women and children. I too came here with certain viewpoints and opinions, and many of them have been busted by what I am learning. At times there have been aspects of Jamaican relationships and family life that really blew my mind and I had to sit with the concepts for a couple weeks until I could absorb it and develop an understanding. Now I can see beneficial qualities here that are absent in the north american style of family I was raised in.
I propose it is our own culture that is rubbing and making us uncomfortable when we are here, not the Jamaican one.
Unbelievably brilliantly said, Lola!
I know a lot of people have trouble with Rob and I seeing things in a different perspective...but that different perspective can only come with actually living here.
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Bnewb,,,you leave me no choice but to suspend you from the board for three days !
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That makes a lot of sense.....but isn't it a bit unfair? seeing how 99% of the members here are tourists to Jamaica and not residents, we come here to get information and tips about traveling to Jamaica. Being that it's a tourism site......
wait a second.....
nvrmnd, I think I just answered my own question
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bnewb
Where did he mention me? You've just proved my point!
Seriously?? You've been together for the past 10-12 years so assumed you were a couple.
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Hummmmmmm, where is Leslie Chow when we need him (her?).
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lax1724
Hummmmmmm, where is Leslie Chow when we need him (her?).
on the other board promoting a new book, soon come
