Crime in Negril

While this will not stop me from going. (spent a lot of time in Honduras, Murder capital of the Americas) I believe that some members are so concerned about standing up for and supporting the place so dear to their hearts (and mine!) that they incorrectly make people believe that they are very safe in Negril. While it is very safe for street wise people such as myself and most of the regular boardies, to wander about , my concern is for the AI crowd that are convinced by people here that they will b fine off resort. If they were street wise people they would have wandered around on their own already. Here is a quote from the gleaner 1 month ago
"Westmoreland appears to be the new epicentre of crime in western Jamaica, as while the parish has fewer murders than St James, it tops the list in both the seizure of guns and ammunition - 13 guns and 260 rounds of ammunition."
Those guns and ammo were only from one police sweep.
Along with the killings of roots owner last year, death of Gino several years ago, A few (unconfirmed but very publicized )rapes near (sorry Gail) treehouse and the robbery recently of fellow boardies, this should b stated, warned of, and reminders of how to keep safe, should be regular fodder on this site. That said I am still coming with Wife and 2 beautiful daughters (6 and 9)in less than a month! And staying off AI. Lets help all people make the right decisions about vacations. Match their life skills, street abilities, and awareness with the proper suggestions that will help them feel safe. And warn them accordingly.

Hadn't heard about the rapes and murders.

Oncedeported,

Living here, I can tell you with no reluctance that the entire community of Negril and the surrounding areas are pleased and grateful with the police sweep last month.

The police sweep you are referring to was done specifically for the reason to deter crime in Westmoreland. The police have been hard at work all summer stemming what had been taking place, to continue to keep Negril a safe destination to visit.

The police targeted certain individuals and communites (not just Negril) in the large Westemoreland parish and did their job with the community sweeps and have gotten those 13 guns and ammunition off the streets. In addition, they eliminated some of the bad guys responsible for this situation.

We are all grateful for their dedication to this effort. They have been doing the sweeps island wide all summer and should be commended for their efforts.

As for the few events you mentioned, they have taken place over nearly a 10 year time period.

Gino, the owner of Mariposa was a good friend of mine and he died in 2005, nearly a decade ago. This in no way was a tourist related incident and was of a more personal nature. No tourists were involved and was directed toward Gino, a business owner in Negril. This issue has been discussed on various threads here on Negril.com

Ted Plumber, also a hotel owner in Negril and a personal friend, arrived home during a robbery at his home in Caudwell, Hanover, not Westmoreland, in June 2012. It occurred about 40 minutes from Negril and has no tourist related aspects to it. No tourists were involved and was once again directed towards the business owner. The perpetrators were apprehended. This tragic event was discussed on a thread here on Negril.com the day after it occurred.

Any visitor to Negril, be it an AI visitor or boutique hotel visitor can learn nothing from these events that happened 7 years apart, other than the fact that they occurred. The visitor's behaviour or experience would be irrelevant in either of these events. And both these events have already been discussed here on Negril.com.

As for the rape you mentioned that happened in June of 2011, this tragic event did NOT occur near the Treehouse, but on an area of the beach far past Treehouse. The perpetrator was identified and caught. But to once again spread misinformation is unfair to Gail, Treehouse and anyone reading this incorrect information.

It was not discussed here due to the privacy requests from those involved, but was discussed at length on TA. Here is the response that Bnewb, one of TA's local Negril Experts, posted in that thread:

"Sorry, I did not get back to this earlier...but I do have a life here in Negril and do get busy....and since I live here and am fortunate to have many strong, reliable connections...I do know the facts! I do not play with rumor & speculation and do not play in the game of who thinks they know the most...this is way to serious of an incident. As a woman living in Negril...I take this very seriously, probably more so than any visitor coming to Jamaica.

And, from what I've seen and heard on the internet there is much misinformation ie. incorrect information being posted about this incident. Incorrect dates, wrong locations, resorts being named that are no where near nor have anything to do with the incident, and false and misleading details.

Because of the privacy requests from the people involved...it is not my place to give any specific details...but the added reminders to keep your wits about you, stay out of isolated areas at night and walk in lighted locations is probably the best thing to come out of this terrible event."

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...h_Jamaica.html

Lisa, (Bnewb) is correct in her advice to all visitors to Jamaica to stay out of isolated, unlit areas at night.

And in the most recent thread about the robbery that took place, warnings about not using random route taxi as well as not walking in unlit areas were given to everyone as a warning. Here is a quote from one of my posts:

"There is a system that has been put in place by the Jamaican government and JTB to directly serve the needs of those visitors to our beautiful island.

I can no more recommend that visitors use the route taxi system, which was designed with the local populace in mind than I can recommend walking through the unlit areas of the beach at night.

It is simply not wise advice."

In summary, this site is constantly giving safety tips to visitors to Negril, regardless of their "street wise" status. Even those who feel they are seasoned travelers can still make unwise decisions.

But Negril is genuinely a very safe place to visit, even for new visitors or AI guests exploring Negril for the first time.

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Originally Posted by Oncedeported

While this will not stop me from going. (spent a lot of time in Honduras, Murder capital of the Americas) I believe that some members are so concerned about standing up for and supporting the place so dear to their hearts (and mine!) that they incorrectly make people believe that they are very safe in Negril. While it is very safe for street wise people such as myself and most of the regular boardies, to wander about , my concern is for the AI crowd that are convinced by people here that they will b fine off resort. If they were street wise people they would have wandered around on their own already. Here is a quote from the gleaner 1 month ago



"Westmoreland appears to be the new epicentre of crime in western Jamaica, as while the parish has fewer murders than St James, it tops the list in both the seizure of guns and ammunition - 13 guns and 260 rounds of ammunition."
Those guns and ammo were only from one police sweep.
Along with the killings of roots owner last year, death of Gino several years ago, A few (unconfirmed but very publicized )rapes near (sorry Gail) treehouse and the robbery recently of fellow boardies, this should b stated, warned of, and reminders of how to keep safe, should be regular fodder on this site. That said I am still coming with Wife and 2 beautiful daughters (6 and 9)in less than a month! And staying off AI. Lets help all people make the right decisions about vacations. Match their life skills, street abilities, and awareness with the proper suggestions that will help them feel safe. And warn them accordingly.

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Not at Treehouse I accept your apology.
Haappy Holidays!
Gail Jackson

I was in Negril the morning that the sweep was taking place and as a long time (on and off) Jamaican resident I was very pleased to see the police and army.

Linston and I both commented on what a good thing it was to see.

Cap

New York City was happy last year because they only had 450 Homicides ??????

Yep. There is crime in negril.

I live in what would be deemed a fairly decent area, good home prices, high employment, good schools. I would not walk some of the back roads where I live though, for fear of the crazy meth heads that are out literally everywhere.

There is crime everywhere, and even though I have experienced it first hand, I'm still booked (and paid for, so it's not just lip service) for my 2014 holiday in negril.

"Re: We made it to the rock
Ive spent 1 year in Jamaica and 2 seperate six month trips backpacking through Mexico Guatemala and Honduras and was never robbed or threatened. BUT was swarmed and robbed in Charolette NC, and robbed a gun point in Chicago! "
That was a quote from you, Once Deported. You then decide to take a grain of truth and create a forest of worry, and associate good establishments to these events. Guilt by proximity. I, like you have not been robbed or threatened in all my Jamaican travels. I attribute that not to my superior street wisdom but to the very good people of Negril who have done kind things and steered me in the right direction while even in a drunken Rob Ford stupor. When you can speak of individual crimes with names and details it is a testament to the lack of crime against tourists. In the US and even Canada the multitude of crimes against persons are so common we can't remember the names or details. We become desensitized. In Negril it bellows. Hotel, Restaurant and Shop owners cringe at one overly publicized crime against a tourist and the resulting exaggerated second or third hand accounting. It affects their livelihood! " Warn them accordingly" you say? Please do. Without embellishment or exaggeration.

I was impressed to see they only found 13 guns and 260 rounds. There's currently more of both in my house right now. My grandfather who has passed on was agin enthusiast. My brother who is shacking up with us for a bit is as well. I now have both collections under my roof :-p

A person can find themselves a crime victim without making any unwise decisions. People get robbed and we shouldn't blame that on some mistake they did or did not make. I have noticed more crime in negril and have talked to folks that live there that have noticed the same thing. That being said I think there is more crime everywhere. But the days of walking from the beach to the west end at 4:00 am are over for me. I am glad that at least we can talk about it on this board. And I agree with all the safety tips. Just don't become complacent.

Rob
Seriously that was one of the best crafted and intelligent responses I have ever read. Good on you man!!!!!!

That being said....I often wonder why visitors to Jamaica feel that it is supposed to be some Nirvana exempt from the ways of the world. I live in Memphis, Tennessee. My city has been dubbed one of the most dangerous to live in and my State was voted the #1 most dangerous state in the US. What happens in Jamaica is child's play compared to here. The original post in this thread is full of old crimes that happened over several years....just watch the morning news here with me tomorrow and you will hear things that will put that mess to shame. That being said...your mother told you certain truisms to live by and things to look out for, she never told you to do these things just in one place, she intended that you wear them like an armor where ever you roam. She will not always be there with you, so she did not give you this advice just for one day, one week, or one year, but for life. BUT she never meant for you to spend your life living in fear, spend thousands of dollars to go on a nice vacation, and then be so tense that you cannot enjoy it. Is it too much to ask all visitors, AI or non AI to bring their brains to Jamaica with them along with their suitcases?

I love Negril and have been there a lot, but there is crime there. I would not say it's unsafe, though. It's a very peaceful place. But beware of your belongings because things like cell phones and lap tops can sometimes disappear a bit more frequently than your average US city.

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

But beware of your belongings because things like cell phones and lap tops can sometimes disappear a bit more frequently than your average US city.

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Not sure where you get your statistics, Gerry...but as someone living here daily and from both Rob's and my own personal experience, I would definitely have to disagree with you. I've seen more electronics etc. that were lost/misplaced being returned to owners than anywhere else I've ever lived.

But, the same as anywhere...you should always look out for your 'stuff'...opportunists are everywhere...tourist and local alike.

I left a walking cane in a taxi. It was returned to me within 2 hours.
I left a bank card in the machine in Falmouth. A woman ran down the street to return it to me.

Frank, my advise would be for you not to travel alone & you may need medication. You'll probably forget this...

I'm sorry. What did you say?

If you know a local, ask them where to go and when to go. They know the whole scoop on what has been happening in Negril up to the minute. In fact, take a local with you, if you know and trust them .... see some sights you have not before. Just don't ask someone you don't know what such and such a place is like, where you are going, how long you are staying etc. .. this has all been said before anyway.
We have left places now and again, when a local has decided the vibes changed ... not something I would have noticed.
If you're on your own, two or more ... stay on the beaten track and use the wise advice to take tourist cabs and enjoyyyy Negril. No jewellery, no purses or computer stuff except your camera, unless you are going to a 'special' place with security !!
Can't wait to get to Negril again :-)

A really awsome thing about Negril is most people that work there will be happy to help you out with almost anything.The bartenders at Catcha took a group of us to the Jungle on a Thursday night and hung out for hours watching over us while we danced and partied,Bradley and Kevin are the best and i am sure there are many more like them.Be a friend to them and you will have a friend for ever!!

well put billndonna, by the way I go by shaggy here but this is S&K steve and kathy, I believe you made it to both our boardies partys we threw, the one year we had it at Xtabi , the next year we had it at a resort up a road on the cliffs, having a brain fart , can't remember the name but it was more of a pool party. We will be in Negril a bit earlier in Feb. this year starting on the 2nd, dang still can't remember the name of that resort , we had the place almost to ourselfs

"There is nothing to fear, but fear itself"
FDR

as the gap between haves and have nots becomes ever wider, random crime will continue increase, world wide. Walk Good Everyone.

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Originally Posted by rompcherry

If you know a local, ask them where to go and when to go. They know the whole scoop on what has been happening in Negril up to the minute. In fact, take a local with you, if you know and trust them .... see some sights you have not before. Just don't ask someone you don't know what such and such a place is like, where you are going, how long you are staying etc. .. this has all been said before anyway.
We have left places now and again, when a local has decided the vibes changed ... not something I would have noticed.
If you're on your own, two or more ... stay on the beaten track and use the wise advice to take tourist cabs and enjoyyyy Negril. No jewellery, no purses or computer stuff except your camera, unless you are going to a 'special' place with security !!
Can't wait to get to Negril again :-)

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This is why we are so happy that we have our friend Doc. He looks after us while we are in Negril and if we are looking to do something that isn't the 'mainstream' activity he comes with us and is always there to look after us. He's like family. We also have a large collection of contacts and stuff who we consult with while we are there. Luckily we have never had any issues so far in Jamaica. As always think twice and be safe. That applies any where you go!

Never fails, I always lose something when I'm in Negril and at this point I'm not even surprised anymore when a Jamaican local finds me to return my lost item. Very friendly helpful people generally speaking. There was just one time I left a pair of ray bans somewhere and when I came back to look "no-one had seen it". I was already expecting that response cause the reason I left in the first place (despite the $150J bee4rs) was the shady vibe there. But my point is, even then it was a case of "finders keepers", wasn't like someone violently ripped them from off my face

Flip I had the same reaction as you when I read the low count of guns/ammo....had to do a double take lol

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Originally Posted by goldilocks

as the gap between haves and have nots becomes ever wider, random crime will continue increase, world wide. Walk Good Everyone.

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Amen

13 IS a high number for a country that does not allow the general populace to own firearms... However I agree that it is not very many... I have more ammunition for my one gun than they had for their 13... Just Saying...

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Originally Posted by chi-town

A person can find themselves a crime victim without making any unwise decisions. People get robbed and we shouldn't blame that on some mistake they did or did not make. I have noticed more crime in negril and have talked to folks that live there that have noticed the same thing. That being said I think there is more crime everywhere. But the days of walking from the beach to the west end at 4:00 am are over for me. I am glad that at least we can talk about it on this board. And I agree with all the safety tips. Just don't become complacent.

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Interesting comments. I have been going to Jamaica for 31 years consecutively and again coming this Christmas in Negril (28+ years consecutive) and always staying on the beach at a guest house hotel.
I also have noticed an evolution of comfortability walking the beach especially at night let alone along the West End Road.

Back in the 80's and 90's, it was not an issue to walk home from Rock Cliff, Pee Wee's+ other restaurants dinner... beautiful night, reflective.... same as on the beach.

Not as comfortable now with heavier road traffic in West End + overaly aggressive higglers on the beach at night.

Nevertheless, the positives of Jamaica, Negril, the people, the overall experience still strikes very close to the heart and look forward to coming home every season.

As back home, know where you are going, be aware and treat people with respect...... No issues to go out and enjoy Jamaican hospitality.

Everything Irie!

My son and I walked the westend road in the early a.m. just this week. It was a very peaceful enjoyable walk, and we were never bothered or felt threatened once. There were very little cars on the road at that time and was one of my favorite parts of my trip.

I used to walk from the beach to the west end after the bars on the beach closed and would stop in at miyard on my way farther west. The only thing you had to watch out for was the dogs that came out at nite. Learned to walk with a rock in my hand and all you had to do was act like you were going to throw it. They were a whole diferent animal from the ones you seen in the day and were usually in a pack. We usually hang out at Pee Wees at night and stay in that area. Last year we were staying across from Jenny's. The first night when we went to leave Janet the bartender said she would feel better if someone walked with us. They always made sure we got home ok and we were there for a month. Another nite we were walking back with our friend Ital who was on a bike in front of us and a rout taxi guy I know stoped and asked if we were ok, as soon as he seen Ital he knew everything was cool he told me he didn't recognize Ital at first and thought it looked suspicious. Another older man in the neighborhood told me to watch out for a guy on a scooter late at nite that had taken some lady's bag. Still think it's pretty safe but am definitely going to take the advice of my local friends. If they say take a taxi or walk with someone known in the neighborhood I'm going to do it. Just like the advice I get here. I've had more stuff stolen out of garage at home than I have in Negril and I plan on keeping it that way.

Simple, don't park your common sense at the airport

more people shot by police here in toronto in one year than in negril over last ten years...makes ya think

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Originally Posted by lanetop

more people shot by police here in toronto in one year than in negril over last ten years...makes ya think

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The population of Toronto is higher than the entire country of Jamaica, I think. I wonder how it would break out per capita.

Over the 14 years love of my life and I have been going to Negril,we have had a few incidents. First one was waking to someone in our room at 3am. Second was A beach towel turned up missing and third was my sons cell phone stolen. All that said,each one of those incidents carried with it some negligence on our part. And the funny thing is the same things could well happen here in good old California as easily as in Negril!