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Well with the upsurge in Jamaican crime ....
The USA posted a Travel Advisory Against Traveling to Jamaica...
This saddens mi deeply....yes it's a stage 2...but it' still very bad news
Be safe out there....and always use your common sense when in Jamaica
Cool Runnings, Marko
Marko is not making the level two advisory clear. He is exaggerating.
The US is NOT advising against travel to Jamaica!
A level two means exercise increased caution. It applies to three areas of Jamaica:
"Jamaica – Level 2: Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased caution in Jamaica due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do not travel to:
Some areas of Kingston due to crime.
Some areas of Montego Bay due to crime.
Spanish Town due to crime."
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-advisory.html
As the advisory states, please read the full advisory.
.
this is very bad news Rob......mi had a buddy cancel his trip next week to Negril because of this....even after talking to miQuote:
Originally Posted by Rob
Cool Runnings, Marko
Marko,
There is NO USA Travel Advisory Against Traveling To Jamaica. Telling people and posting that there is one when there is not, is what is very bad...
Similar travel advisories have been issued in the past. But exaggerating about them helps no one.
If there is a real advisory against travel to Jamaica by any country, we would post and highlight that immediately as safety of our visitors is foremost.
To post false, misleading information diminishes the value of true travel advisories.
Sometimes I wonder why Marko stays in Jamaica. Seems like not only is his glass half empty ...somebody stole the ras thing.
Cap
There's crime everywhere in the world, especially in touristy areas. Growing up and living my entire life in Brooklyn and NYC, crime doesn't prevent me from doing much. I actually feel safer in Negril than certain areas in NYC. I also feel MOST locals will watch out for the tourists, since the local economy of Negril is based completely on tourism, and the general population are kind and good people. I also feel that since there isn't that much crime in Negril, what crime there is, is highlighted. I feel much safer in Negril than I do in Mexico and the DR, where the crimes are more common and more severe. It all comes down to common sense. Don't put yourself in a compromised position, and your chances of being a victim of crime is dramatically reduced.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnNYC
Some areas of Kingston due to crime.
Some areas of Montego Bay due to crime.
Spanish Town due to crime.
US advisory or not, these places have unfortunately been no go zones for tourists for at least 20 years.
There are neighborhoods within a 10 mile radius of my home that should carry the same warning.
I agree with Cap. But if most readers are like me, they skip over his posts because of the way he writes his posts I don't make the effort to try and read them.
Last January while we were staying in Isla Mujeres, there was shooting in a night club in Canun that killed a tourist and cop. That event triggered a high-level travel advisory for Cancun, yet Isla was perfectly safe for us to wander about all hours of the night.
I do appreciate reading about these travel advisories. However, on our upcoming trip I will ask Linston to bypass "some areas of Montego Bay" and take us directly to Negril.
You have to pay attention anywhere you go. Exercise caution and trust your instincts. Even in Negril it's not unheard of to run into some Kold Ass Mofo :friendly_wink:
Irene, I am only Kold (cold) due to the climate. Kold Ass, warm heart.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irine
US citizens can sign up for STEP. We've been doing this for years. They will directly alert you if there are any warnings. It's very specific and also it's a good idea that the American Consulate knows you're their in case you run into "trouble".
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...u-go/step.html
What is "very bad news", Marko? The "exaggeration"? The buddy cancelling? Your buddy taking to you? Or is it that areas where you don't travel to have crime advisories?Quote:
Originally Posted by Marko
Anyone who spends as much time as you do on Jamaica knows that there is crime in some areas and you need to stay away from them even though it is local vs local crime for the most part.
Probably a good idea to post personal opinions or stories and not links with misleading subject lines anyways, right?
Too many mi(s) for me anyways.
Peace and Guidance
I live in Florida and our crime around the major cities is crazy! Funny the U.S. doesn't put these "warnings" out for domestic tourists. Everything is safe until it isn't, exercise caution wherever you are and usually you will be fine.
Accompong, you can dial back the condescension a few degrees and still make your point. You are by far the most condescending person on this site. It is not a good look.
The latest US State department advisory on Mexico is gong to crush their already suffering tourist business. Even if people we not planning on going to one of the states in the travel advisory.Quote:
Originally Posted by RonMon
Obviously a sensitive subject. Maybe we can all agree safety is everyone's concern and look for a point of mutual agreement and understanding from there.
Common sense precautions against crime - Universal travel warning no matter where you go!
100% correct ~Quote:
Originally Posted by plongdin
The majority of us (savvy Jamaica travelers) already KNOW how to be cautious, what areas to avoid, that not all of Jamaica is crime infested and not all Jamaicans are criminals. However, the above statement would lead those who never visited Jamaica or are new to the experience to believe otherwise. IMO, OP's statement has little to do with world-wide travel consciousness, but a lot to do with Jamaica, as a whole, being unsafe. Which is NOT true. How unfair that is not only to interested persons and frequent visitors, but to ALL of Jamaica.
The storms wiped out many travelers’ destinations so more and more are looking at Jamaica to be their new escape. A lot of them will find this message board and hopefully be convinced by its many supporters providing sound advice & recommendations, to give the rock a try. Sharing a heading like that without detailed facts or a supporting link will have them putting on breaks and looking further south. Why???? all because an individual who often shares their personal frustrations about Jamaica’s imperfections, found yet another sore to openly rub raw. And that just ain’t “cool runnings”.
Alert.............Don't go to the west side of Jacksonville Fl. ......................Dangerous there........
So what?
Cap
Here's my 2cents on this..I'm a about to come back to Negril by the end of the month for my 25th year..(I'm a West End guy)...I must admit last years visit had some real bad issues that made me question whether I would return after my 6 week (Jan-March) stay...I couldn't wait to go home...I've seen a lot of change in the vibe though the years in Negril but have never EVER felt not safe or threatened in Negril or the West End...it wasn't safety issues it was local traffic scam issue (I drive a motorcycle there) by locals that put a very BAD FUNK on the my stay as well as some other local funk...but as time heals all wounds as they say I'm returning..& looking very forward to it! Now that said..I live in 53 miles NW of Chicago...& as our president Trump keeps reminding the American public of Chicago's big time crime..it is & does exist.
Wow. I agree with TAH on something.
You have to be careful everywhere you go. When you travel, you always gotta know your surroundings, don't wear flashy jewellery, don't flash your cash and don't ever put yourself in crazy situations. I had an issue once in Negril in the middle of the day right beside the beach. I lived in Kingston for 5 years so I've seen quite a bit. You can't ever be too careful. Two Canadian Jamaican's were killed yesterday in the St. Thomas area in their home, that's all over the news here today. No travel advisory issued.
Can anyone name a vacation destination with NO crime, besides Fantasy Island?
Can anyone name anywhere with No crime?Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnNYC
I felt that way two years ago as well after a couple of trips. However, my past two trips things have felt much more chill, especially on the West End. I saw daily roadblocks set up, however in there usual spots. Wish they would change it up a bit, so it's a little less predictable. The Po Po presence was fairly consistent and was nice to see.Quote:
Originally Posted by rooster
As do I. Ping Pong likes to shout down on occasion and it is a turn off. However, I agree that as much time Marko spends on the rock, you think he would beotch a little less.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaherring
Not likely, but many places with much less crime. However crime is not too far off, just like in Jamaica. I love Tulum and Isla Mujeres, yet just down the road you will see the same travel advisories that Jamaica is receiving. With that said, I did meet a Dutch couple last week that was robbed on the beach during the day. Nice people and I felt bad for them as they were really enjoying their trip, and this put a bit of a damper on it. I feel fortunate in all of my trips, that outside of the occasional irritating higgler, nothing has really happened. I look forward to maintaining that streak.....Quote:
Originally Posted by SLP
Last I looked I haven't seen Negril included in any travel advisory. Carry on as usual peeps.
I think even some of the language used on the website Rob provided a link to is a bit overwrought... while I never hesitate to travel to Jamaica (as an experienced traveler and generally cautious person), I don't know that I would want anyone I was trying to convince to join me to read that.
(content removed due to copyright infringement)
Since Marko copied the entire text of the Gleaner copyrighted news article and did not give the link or credit to the Gleaner, here is the first couple paragraphs along with the link. Knowing many of the past JHTA presidents, they would be foolish to ignore the new travel advisory. But it echos many of the above comments:
"The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) says it is concerned about the travel advisory issued by the United States warning citizens about crime here, but it is more worried about the safety of the workers in the industry.
"Crime against visitors is very low, but many of our staff who are living in the volatile communities are faced with this untenable situation,” JHTA president Omar Robinson told The Gleaner this morning."
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/l...sociation-boss
If I "turn you off" then I guess it is a mission accomplished. Your childish using of "Ping Pong" when you know the name is "Accompong" and of great historical significance in Jamaican history is as much of a turn off as being referred to as a "Booger" must be to you used in context. Stories of getting drunk and barhopping are not my thing either so we probably would never cross paths anyways.Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
I am entitled to my opinion and voice it as I see fit within the rules set by Rob and Negril.com .
Fantasy Island was chock full of crime. For instance, Ricardo Montalban's acting - truly criminal.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnNYC
Please try to add constructive comments so that our visitors, first timers and veterans alike can learn how to have the best vacation possible.
Let's stop the name calling and personal attacks. Especially since Ricardo Montalban is not here to defend himself.
Thank you for understanding.
Some fine examples of anti-social media here.
Well I am looking forward to my 38th trip shortly..and mi knees aren't shaking..
Maybe SOME Americans (one in particular) think Jamaica is a "S" hole country and would never visit.
Let them think that if they want! We know better!!!
:encouragement:
I feel safer in negril than in the UK as a Londoner I know what I'm talking about .
I wont bore you with the details but since being here since Xmas I've never seen it more dangerous heck school kids throwing acid and robbing victims daily .
Not for me I'm flying back to Jamaica to get away from all this gangsta wannabe culture .
Attachment 50474
Quote:
Originally Posted by Irine
Ha! Very true! Every year we swear we're going somewhere else, and check other destinations thoroughly. And every year we return to Negril year after year after year, and love every minute of it! I don't let one or two alarmist stop me from doing what I love.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kold Ass Mofo
Yesssss Mon!Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnNYC