St James State of Emergency

Won't stop me from visiting but the "optics" of getting to Negril might be slightly different in the near future:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/l...gency-st-james

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a state of emergency in St James.

This means that extraordinary powers have been given to the security forces and some rights have been suspended.

Members of the security forces may also search places without a warrant.

The declaration coincides with an increase in violence including murders and shootings.

The latest incidents occurred three hours apart near the round-a-bout to the Sangster International Airport on Tuesday leaving one man dead and three others seriously hurt.

St James ended 2017 with a record 335 murders, that's 66 more than reported in 2016.

Since early this morning soldiers and police have been blanketing parts of St James carrying out searches.

In making the declaration this morning, Holness said in as much as some rights have been suspended, the security forces were expected to be humane to all citizens.

Partial Martial

Here is the latest from a press conference called by Prime Minister Holness as covered by the Observer:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lates...s?profile=1228

Here is the RJR coverage of the same press conference:

http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/prime...t-for-st-james

Huh? Sounds pretty scary...

The latest from the Gleaner:

"Finally! - - St James Residents Welcome State Of Emergency

Residents of several volatile communities in St James yesterday welcomed members of the security forces with open arms as the Government's latest initiative to quell the parish's rampant lawlessness started with a joint police-military operation and subsequently evolved into a public state of emergency.

"This is the best thing that could happen to Montego Bay at this time. It is like a belated Christmas gift," an elderly resident of Salt Spring told The Gleaner."

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/l...tate-emergency

And from the Observer:

"Gov't gets support for public state of emergency"

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...3?profile=1373

The "volatile" areas mentioned above echo the areas listed in last week's travel advisory, namely Flankers, Canterbury, Norwood and Rose Heights.

This action has been floating around discussions for a while now.

Calls for a state of emergency have been made by the public and media last year in July as well as November.


From IRIE FM:

"PM Holness: state of emergency will not affect Montego Bay tourism"

http://iriefm.net/pm-holness-state-e...o-bay-tourism/

I pass through Penn Station in NYC everyday. Every 50' there's a group of National Guard with semi automatic weapons and riot gear, NYC Police and State Police as well, and who knows how many under cover. All this to try and prevent a terroist attack. Once I leave Penn Station I deal with what crime going on in the city itself. It's a shame the world has come to this, but it doesn't change my plans or activities in any way. I still feel safe in JA. Maybe as a precaution I'll roll my window half way up while driving through Mobay. To me this is a huge issue for locals and those who live in JA, but as a visitor I won't think twice about coming to my favorite place on earth.

I sometimes stay at at The Royal Decameron in Montego Bay after staying in Negril .This upcoming trip will be only Negril, this warning is scary, but great for safety. This will probably make people scared to travel to Jamaica, but usually the violence isn't directed at tourists.

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Originally Posted by JohnNYC

I pass through Penn Station in NYC everyday. Every 50' there's a group of National Guard with semi automatic weapons and riot gear, NYC Police and State Police as well, and who knows how many under cover. All this to try and prevent a terroist attack. Once I leave Penn Station I deal with what crime going on in the city itself. It's a shame the world has come to this, but it doesn't change my plans or activities in any way. I still feel safe in JA. Maybe as a precaution I'll roll my window half way up while driving through Mobay. To me this is a huge issue for locals and those who live in JA, but as a visitor I won't think twice about coming to my favorite place on earth.

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I hope and pray for everyone's sake that the senseless violence comes to an end, everywhere.

In 2006 or 2007, i forget which, there was security crackdown in Jamaica. On the drive between Mobay and Negril we came upon three roadblocks where the police were randomly stopping and searching vehicles. And let me tell you baby, they was open for business.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jama...ning-1.4494841

This can't be good

My wife and I live in St James for the winter and welcome the added security. We are in MoBay a couple of times a week and have not noticed a change in peoples behavier. As with anywhere in the world there are time and places which you should avoid. Places like Flanker and Norwood are not tourist areas and should be avoided during the dark hours. Common sense should be used anywhere in the world not just St James.

From Slightly Stoopid's link....

"The Canadian advisory says there have been reports of alleged sexual assaults at tourist resorts that were carried out by resort staff and, in some cases, by other tourists."

Wait, what? :(

I hope these reports have been confirmed before the CBC is going public with their reporting!!!

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Originally Posted by halfwaytree

From Slightly Stoopid's link....

"The Canadian advisory says there have been reports of alleged sexual assaults at tourist resorts that were carried out by resort staff and, in some cases, by other tourists."

Wait, what? :(

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The US State Department "safety and security comments" on Jamaica are just as unflattering as the Canadian advisory.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...s/Jamaica.html

Perhaps the situation has reached a level that no longer can be ignored or brushed under the rug....residents especially, along with tourists need to have a certain assurance of safety...peace..

wonder if there has been any problem just driving to Negril from Mo Bay? i am going to check with the airlines on whats involved bringing a hand gun

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Originally Posted by Kootenaygirl

Perhaps the situation has reached a level that no longer can be ignored or brushed under the rug....residents especially, along with tourists need to have a certain assurance of safety...peace..

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Originally Posted by original spanky

wonder if there has been any problem just driving to Negril from Mo Bay? i am going to check with the airlines on whats involved bringing a hand gun

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The fact that this is being discussed here is obvious proof nothing is being swept under a rug or even ignored. We are discussing the "ignored" issue.

There is no unusual problems driving from the airport in MoBay to Negril. To think otherwise is against all evidence.

If you truly wonder what problems you can encounter bringing in a hand gun from MoBay, this would be an interesting time to try it....

Just based on posts from “locals” commenting in the Gleamer and other news sources...residents are supporting the actions being taken...reassuring for all...peace...

I had friends who were flying from Toronto and vacationing in Montego Bay today. Their flights were cancelled due to the state of emergency.

Did anyone else have flights cancelled today?

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Originally Posted by Bluez

I had friends who were flying from Toronto and vacationing in Montego Bay today. Their flights were cancelled due to the state of emergency.

Did anyone else have flights cancelled today?

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Wow! I know some folks that flew in on Thursday from the US no problem ...

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Originally Posted by Bluez

I had friends who were flying from Toronto and vacationing in Montego Bay today. Their flights were cancelled due to the state of emergency.

Did anyone else have flights cancelled today?

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Not saying it didn't happen, Bluez...but...
it's Interesting...as I've been regularly talking to the airport authorities and haven't heard of any cancelled flights due to this situation or anything else going on around the world...here's a link to show all the flight arrivals that came in with no issues today...

http://m.mbjairport.com/arrivals

Flying in myself and making my own way home using bus - taxi tomorrow

Is the situation bad ? I.e. Road blocks etc ??

Any one have first hand experienced of how it is ??

Cheers mick

I can remember a problem back in the mid 80's on our 3rd or 4th trip to Negril, there was a very large Military presence and a good deal of road blocks on the old road to Negril. Very direct and professional, the military personal made sure to pass along their wishes of an enjoyable vacation.

Although initially alarming to those visiting, the presence had a very calming effect on the vibe of the local residents. As reported in Rob's posts, the actions were welcomed and is often the case in a reactionary move, a bit over due.

Situational awareness and common sense has always been a requirement on any of the islands, Jamaica being no different. I feel safe to suggest things are safer now than a week ago given these actions.

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

Not saying it didn't happen, Bluez...but...
it's Interesting...as I've been regularly talking to the airport authorities and haven't heard of any cancelled flights due to this situation or anything else going on around the world...here's a link to show all the flight arrivals that came in with no issues today...

http://m.mbjairport.com/arrivals

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Ooops it seems I got it wrong. It wasn't the flight that was cancelled the tour operator cancelled my friends stay at the Montego Bay hotel. Shame for them their trip was cancelled.

I've been in Kingston many times when there were lockdowns and curfews. It's quite unnerving to see the military presence, road blocks and the soldiers with their machine guns. They don't play. I hope they find who their looking for asap.

Its all in how one views it.

No one is oblivious to the crime that exists in certain areas... be it in CA, US, Jamaica or anywhere else in the world, that being faceless with no uniform.

For myself the sight of a soldier or PO is an assurance something is being done to deal with it.

Play they do not but in my own interactions with them several decades ago, they were very pleasant and professional.

Watching and following...

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Originally Posted by mick

Flying in myself and making my own way home using bus - taxi tomorrow

Is the situation bad ? I.e. Road blocks etc ??

Any one have first hand experienced of how it is ??

Cheers mick

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Mick...I would use a professional "known" driver as you may get stopped and searched more than once in a regular local taxi.
Some of the searches may be long/intense and you don't know who may be in that car with you...I wouldn't risk it for a few dollars/pounds.

Jamaica Gleaner is reporting that there is someone in custody, responsible for the murders at the Mobay roundabout.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/l...tate-emergency

Well it's just not high crime in Mobay and Kingston.....
Couple nights ago a young man "Dam" was shot and killed in Negril at the start of Whitehall just off the Sav road.....
Der nuthin FALSE about this nor how high mi seen crime rise in Hanover and Westmoreland Parrishs....
Use extreme caution is an understatenent in Jamaica....
Be safe everyone in Jamaica....
Cool Runnings, Marko

Thanks bnewb

Well the army is there I heard so gotta be safe , ain't no one gonna mess with army around .

Should be okay , I've done the mobay-negril via bus park dozens of times and have always felt safe.

I'll see what to do

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Originally Posted by original spanky

wonder if there has been any problem just driving to Negril from Mo Bay? i am going to check with the airlines on whats involved bringing a hand gun

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No can do. You will not be able to carry one there in your checked luggage.

You're 25 times more likely to get shot to death in the US than any other country in the world, and those odds are 0.00000143%. I'll take my chances in Jamaica 365 days a year.

the latest from CNN....not good
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/20/americ...ntl/index.html

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Originally Posted by BobbyMaser

the latest from CNN....not good
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/20/americ...ntl/index.html

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The CNN story seems to just be rehashing what has already been posted here. And it sounds like the tourists in MoBay are following the local advice and are out and about enjoying themselves.

Yes Rob...BUT...CNN gates wide distribution in the States and this will not help folks, particularly first times, to come down...Tourists already here have no choice. Government needs a long term strategy to improve the PR for future guests

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Originally Posted by Rob

The CNN story seems to just be rehashing what has already been posted here. And it sounds like the tourists in MoBay are following the local advice and are out and about enjoying themselves.

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Ditto

Cap

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobbyMaser

Yes Rob...BUT...CNN gates wide distribution in the States and this will not help folks, particularly first times, to come down...Tourists already here have no choice. Government needs a long term strategy to improve the PR for future guests

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Jamaica has been a tourist destination for over a hundred years. Every government, be it British or Jamaican has had a long term strategy regarding tourism. As the PM has stated, the state of emergency in St. James was called taking tourism interests into account. Articles posted in this thread make mention of tourism stakeholders being consulted before the declaration.

Negril.com is here to help all visitors, first timers and veterans find out what is happening from a first hand perspective.

We drove into the Parish yesterday from the Hanover/Westmoreland side from Treasure Beach. There was a security checkpoint on the road manned by both the JDF and Police that we had to go through. No traffic backup and we went through immediately. No hassle. They are looking for wanted people and weapons. Since my wife and I do not resemble any of the wanted men they let us through fairly quickly.