Story in today's Jamaica Observer makes it clear that you need to be careful when wandering around Negril.
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Story in today's Jamaica Observer makes it clear that you need to be careful when wandering around Negril.
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Wow. Just read that. Five women shot???? What in the world is going on?
All that I will say is that Negril needs to get things under control, or tourism there is going to take a serious hit, and soon. I'm thinking real hard about changing up my trip next month and maybe go to Portland instead of Negril, then on to Treasure Beach. This is just crazy. The whole "informer fi dead" culture seems to be getting stronger every year.
Locals know whaagwan just like you do in your hometown.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaherring
Peace and Guidance
This is really getting unnerving! I will still be coming in a few weeks but I guess I am really going to have to rethink future visits unless this kind of thing turns around. I'm sure all the "rose colored glasses" wearers will blame the victims(typical) but truth be told Negril is not a very safe place these days and it will only be a matter of time before it starts to affect tourists. I am really, really sad about the recent events. What is this now 10+ murders in the past 3 months or so? Yes I know, locals, but seemingly all good people. Yes, I know bad thing happen in other places as well but Negril is a small town in reality and to have this many murders in a town (village really) of this size is ridiculous and sad!
There were two incidents that occurred that left a few longtime Negril tourists a little shaken, they stayed at NBCC and told me about it through passing and were totally shocked as they have been coming for 30 years and never has anything like that happened to them before.
1. 70 year old man was on the beach early in the morning, when a woman came up to him and grabbed his prescription glasses off his face and grabbed his chain off his neck- they did catch her and his items were returned although the chain was broken when she yanked it...however later that day I saw the same woman down the beach by coco la palm - she was let go.
she obviously has a mental health problem - naked , hungry and thirsty..
2. Another couple was walking from Burger king to Beach club-also in their 70's, not late at night but dark...and a robber tried to steal her side bag- she fought him off - and he made off with nothing, but for an elder lady fighting off robbers is very scary.
You just have to be alert and aware at all times, doesn't matter how long you have been coming don't get too comfortable.
People have to pay as much attention to their safety in Negril as they would at home. These things happen all over the world but when we are on vacation we sometimes "forget" common sense. I read the article and the posts but it will not stop me from going to a place I love.
I never knew Ottawa was that dangerous. So are you saying wearing prescription glasses, necklaces, and carrying a handbag is not using common sense?Quote:
Originally Posted by SLP
People need to be way more vigilant towards their own safety in Negril than they need to be where I live. Pretty sure nobody will ever sneak up behind me on a main road and cut the purse strap off my wifes shoulder in Prince Albert.
I see this took place on lime tree lane,in the archives of this board,lime tree lane is specifically noted as a non tourist friendly place,I can't say I know where this lane is but once again there's places 60 miles to the east of me in Chicago that no way would you find me in,use common sense and as mentioned on this board over and over hiring a driver is well worth the cost as a competent one will probably steer you away from trouble spots such as "lime tree"
Is lime tree just to the right as you leave seastar?
That lady is making her rounds. I first saw her at Bourbon Beach and she was obviously on something or suffering from some serious mental health issues. They had to throw her off the stage a few times, she also made it into the sea naked a few times and finally security pulled her out and she got an ass whopping. A few days later, Max (security at NBCC) had to chase her off the beach. I think she is well known to security but unfortunately wasn't there when the 70 year old got robbed. Very sad!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lapurr
and the scariest part of all this is: . . . these are only the things we hear about!!! . . . how about the things we don't hear about!!! . . . for instance, what lapurr relayed has not been written about . . . scary stuff . . .
I understand it's before Pee-Wee Lane...Quote:
Originally Posted by STRIPER
Yeah, I don't think Lime Tree ln is near Seastar. I believe it is closer to town. I also understand that it has a reputation for shadiness.
Lime Tree Lane is across from Blue Cave Castle.
Can sugar coat this matter anyway you want, but I know areas in the USA where I know it best to stay away. All these stories, regardless of where else in the world it happens, brings Negril just that much closer to one of those places. It is disgraceful and troubling no matter where it happens. Starting to weigh on me sadly. In those places, it often is a matter of the innocent being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Only we can minimize that risk via a choice to stay away. Such a bummer ... A place with a record like Negril's recent one, is in line with places I choose to stay away from. The magnetism of Negril for me has taken a hit. Not so bad being back here in the cold as I read this story.
Starting to sound like Detroit.
Whoa Gang, let's get the facts 1st, there have NOT been 10 murders in Negril in the last 3 months, but 1 is too many. Lime Tree Ln is across from Blue Cave Castle, One lane east of PeeWee Ln and about 2 miles from SeaStar Ln. The victim(s) lived on Lime Tree, but do we know where this shooting took place? the article only states it was at a shop in the area. Any loss of life &/or injury by violence is saddening anywhere, it just tugs at the hearts of us who love Negril just a little more when it happens there. There is no excuse for it. Although I have no faith in the Police solving anything, I hold out hope there will be some justice done.
The last thing I would want is to discourage anyone from going to Negril, I doubt my influence on anyone is that potent..
I'm just a boardie that loves Negril and this board...it's just things you need to be wary of..being spontaneous is fun..but stop and think, even just for a second- could prevent an unfortunate event.
I for one have never felt unsafe in Negril...and I have traveled there several times with my daughter - I don't go to any sketchy places nor do I know of any...I'm always happy to be there, I feel free and relaxed and enjoy every minute of it. I trust the people of Negril are more inclined to help you if they witness a disturbance and that is comforting.
Not trying to diminish the seriousness of this criminal act, but....
Today in my home town. One neighbor knifed another in the stomach, 3 more people were knifed at a house party early this morning, several cars broken into, one overdose and numerous reports of shop lifting. I'm still going home tonight.
I get what you are saying VVHT- It's also about perception-"welcome to paradise"..."Another Day in paradise", "No Problem" and so on...you pay for your flight, your accommodation's, your food and drinks cha-ching- cha-ching -cha-ching... the vacation life, people save all year round for that sun, sea and sand... it's not Home- the assumption is- you are in paradise-what can really go wrong?
Be aware-stay safe-play safe and stay Bless! One Love
The police will find these low life maggots and when they do I predict they will have been 'shot and killed while resisting arrest' Proper thing.
Funny that all the people comparing and/or justifying that this happens in city such and such. Please get real you are comparing Negril (maybe 15k-20k and that is being generous) to Chicago/Detroit/NY/LA/New Orlean/etc... are cities that are exponentially larger than Negril and in all actuality in some cases larger than Jamaica as a whole.
This pointless tragedy did occur on Lime Tree Lane, which has been referred to as "infamous", "notorious" and "a place to avoid" here on Negril.com. You can do a search by going to the main (Home) page and under the green Entertainment listing is a Search Negril.com space. Type in "Lime Tree Lane" and you will find over 30 references to Lime Tree Lane, even about a double homicide back in June 2009.
As far back as 2008 (as far back as the search feature works) there have been references and warnings to avoid this one particular lane. We are saddened by the death of Ombretta and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends, many of whom we know. But unfortunately crime on Lime Tree Lane is nothing new.
That being said, the police are working overtime to stop the "cowardly gunman" as the Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams called them.
Use to go there back in 2000 had 2 protectors with me 1 armed to see some ladies I knew on Lime Tree Lane. They waited at the door until I came out. Just like I won't go to Scrub A Dub alone with out A Jamaican and other places .
Jamaica is a violent country. If one should let themselves, they could just break down and cry at the situation. We the visitor to the island are so fortunate that we are not usually the victim. On a recent post, I was scoffed at when I told the story of my friend who had to move from his home in Flankers, St James after a woman ran into his front room and was murdered. He, indeed, thought that he and his family were "fi dead" as they were possible witnesses. "Fi dead" is a very common concern for anyone that is even in the vicinity of a crime. For years there have been assaults and murders in Negril and Westmoreland. A few have involved foreigners. Tourists, for now, can visit Negril and other tourist areas in Jamaica with little fear.Tourist are rarely ever the target of a violent criminal. They should certainly take care in choosing the area and time of day when they are out and about. Petty theft has always been a problem in Negril and it seems that the snatch and grab has become somewhat more familiar. If one keeps up with the murder cases in Jamaican courts, they can be, as I am, shocked at the disappearance rate of key witnesses. The conviction or even the arrest rate for rape and murder in Jamaica is unacceptably low. Indeed, there are occasions where nonjudicial "justice' occurs at the hand of law enforcement in Jamaica. Of course, this only fuels more violent behavior. Years ago, when Johnny Cash was robbed and his wife assaulted at his home on the island, the perpetrators only lived a day or so after being found by the constables.
what is "Scrub A Dub"?Quote:
Originally Posted by Limo Mon
Car wash by day, go go bar by night. If you want to see ladies dancing do yourself a favor and hit Las Vegas instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by never2many
hmm. I did, very briefly, see Las Vegas. I don't think I had consumed enough Red Stripes at that point.
The snatch and grab is involving tourists, when we were there 1st week Feb, a couple had to walk around a car parked oddly on side of road with hatch up, soon as lady came beside car man grabbed her bag, she instinctively pulled back, was thrown to the ground, when she looked up man had a gun, smartly gave up bag and car and 3 men took off. Took all of 15 secs, scarier part was happened 9:00 at night on middle of beach road with quite a few people around. Not trying to cause fear, just a heads up that even if not late or not desolate, things can still happen.
Rasthal, your story shows that a petty crime can quickly turn into a violent major crime.Really is there such a thing as "petty crime"? If the petty crimes are not addressed then more violent crimes will become more common. We should all take note of this report and minimize our exposure to the possibility of a snatch and grab. Do not carry purses or bags that can be easily snatched. When attacked, quickly give up the item that the crook has grabbed.
Update - 2 suspects are in custody related to the incident on Monday:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/News/...-held_18466464
Great News
Read about some other crap on Facebook today, but will sit back and wait for actual confirmation before putting speculation up on the board. Hoping it is just the Negril rumor mill......
Glad to see that the Police are getting closer to serving justice for the Jackson family.
The snatch and grabs unfortunately happen all over the world, especially in developing countries. If you are new to a developing country you need to learn some basic precautions. One is do not walk around with a purse on the street. I wear a mellow backpack if I need to carry anything, which is much harder to get off a person than a purse. Dress down, leave the flashy jewelry at home, and do not flash money, and keep your money split up in your front pockets. Get a POS Digicel phone and leave the Iphone in the hotel safe.
Here's a story to make the cynics feel better:
A couple of weeks ago I was having a hard time connecting to the internet at Country Country with my Iphone, so I set it next to my wife at the bar and went back to the room to grab my Ipad. I returned to the bar with it and proceeded to spend a little bit of time taking care of some business back home. The couple we were with showed up and off we went walking down the beach. The next day the front desk alerted us that we left our phone at the bar and that the bartender and security man returned it to the office for safe keeping. $899 phone was back in my possession, bartender and security man were a little fatter in the pocket, and my vacation continued with no major incidents to report. Just like every other vacation I have taken in Jamaica.
I have met many more great people in Jamaica than I have bad boys. They are there, looking for opportunity. And there are Jamaicans there, looking out for you. Had I lost the phone I would have kicked myself in the ass, as it would have been entirely my fault. I certainly know better, however I was at such ease that I let my guard down.
Great post Booger....there are bad people everywhere but the majority of us are good. This thread should be titled "Be careful Everywhere"....some of the posts here are disappointing.
very unfortunate incident on Lime Tree Lane....sad mon......wi had one a year ago too on dat lane....and previous years
mi apartment actually backs up to Lime Tree Lane and mi can look out mi back window and see it.....
they have big parties over der some nights.......and you can hear the slamming of Dominoes some nights....
that being said.......mi never never go on dat Lane......never have.....mi just rather be safe than sorry mi guess
over at Pee Wees mi swim with a lot of the people from Lime Tree Lane as that is our "swimming hole"...
mi probably know the lady that was killed though they didn't mention her pet name so have no clue who she was.....
it's like where ever you live.......you have good areas.......and you have really bad areas.......
Lime Tree Lane is known as one of those bad areas.......one to avoid......one not to frequent
wi don't have many bad areas on the West End as it's relatively safe....but that is one of dem......
and please don't think the West End is unsafe........it's actually one of the safest....thus so many Expats living der
you just live and learn mi guess........
Cool Runnings, Marko
I agree with Marko. As an expat of 4 years, who lives in the West End, I personally have never had an incident, to date, where I have felt threatened. But, I am also very aware of my surroundings no matter where I am. Poverty is everywhere and I would be just as diligent regarding my safety in downtown Ottawa as I am in Jamaica or any other country. Do bad things happen to good people, unfortunately all the time, but I personally refuse to allow that to change my love and warm impressions of the good Jamaican people, all people as a whole. We all take risks, getting on a plane to visit the island is one where there are no guarantees, but we hope for the best. I sincerely hope that the majority can see the larger picture, will feel comfortable in their choices of destinations, indulge themselves in the many beautiful tour sites Jamaica has to offer and continue in enriching the economy of our beautiful but rustic island.