Printable View
Someone mentioned to me that one should be declared for the Island itself in order to make some difference. Too many illegal firearms contributing to crime and murders.
Let's see how the situation develops.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/n...sses-under-soe
most everything on the West End/Cliffs has been closed by 8PM.........it's like a ghost town right now....true
it's low season now anyways so things are slower anyways.......
be safe everyone and enjoy
Cool Runnings, Marko
Is there actually a curfew?
Did I miss something? Unless I missed it, I saw no mention of a curfew anywhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by dash
There is no curfew on people. The SOE, which started last Tuesday has new enforced business hours which can technically be called a "curfew on business operation", but no curfew on people in general.
After a week of cruising around Negril, non-scientific observations seems to reveal that it is pretty much business as usual in Negril.
Busy season ended April 15 and the last of the Boardie Bash attendees departed the island after our Bash on the 26th, so the town slowed down considerably as it normally does.
One noticeable difference with the SOE is the fewer motorcycles on the road. I am sure a good amount of the bikes left simply because season ended, but there are far fewer bikes on the road.
The SOE continues for another week and can be extended for 3 months by a vote in Parliament.
Here are the new business hours, which are already being complained about by many business owners....
Clubs and fast food restaurants – from 6:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m.
Every place required by law to operate under a tavern licence from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Petroleum filling stations from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Supermarkets, grocery shops, haberdasheries, cook shops and any other place offering goods for sale from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Pharmacies from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Any other public place, except a tourism enterprise, or a tourism accommodation as defined in the Tourist Board Act from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
I was asking a clarification of Marcos statement that almost everything was closed by 8 o’clock. Got a group going down next week and just want to be informed. Thanks Rob.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jdub
It is kind of confusing. A club is open until midnight - but doesn't a club need a tavern license and would then have to close by 10PM?
We were there when this took effect and it had no effect on us at all (we're usually retired for the evening by 10pm...). Actually one of our best trips ever. Couple road checks on the way to MBJ - no big deal at all.
There are different categories of spirit (alcohol) licenses, retail, tavern, hotel, club, etc. Each has their own hours of operation.
A tavern license has normal closing hour at 11pm. With the SOE, this has been reduced to 10pm.
And today the House extended the SOE to July 29.
Gansta's Rule !! Thug Life !! Government... Not Working !! Just to say that I was thinking Daily on my recent Trip of all the Bob Marley songs about Government Injustice and Poverty and People on People Crime !! As I listened to back in the Mid / Late Seventies !! Well ... 40 odd years later !! The Whole System is coming Apart... Just So Sad for all the People in Jamaica !! Living in Fear !! It's JamRock Indeed !! My Thoughts and Prayers are with the Jamaican People that are so Special too me . Also I hope the Island Paradise will Prevail in these Troubled Times !! I of course will still return to the Rock .... As it has Special Place in my Heart !!Attachment 53061
The US gun manufacturers have some culpability in this mess.
"70 Per Cent Of Guns Seized In JA In 2016 Sourced In US"
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/l...016-sourced-us
While definitely not a long term solution, the extra policing powers granted under the SOE are making a positive impact. Last year's SOE is credited with decreasing the murder rate alone by 22% in 2018 from 2017.Quote:
Originally Posted by Highlander
The assessment above doesn't match the reality for those living here. It doesn't take into account any of the positives happening for Jamaica such as the decrease in crime.
In addition, the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) has been declared the Best Performing Stock Market globally by Bloomberg Businessweek.
And it is likely that we will be out of the IMF agreement later this year.
All major positives!
Rob. Thank you... For that info. The Fact that you are there at the Ground Level... Can only help the rest of us Understand !! Keep us posted on the Positives !! All the Visitors / Boardies need to hear that ! We can only hope that Tings ! Get better soon for the Majority of the People.. Let Peace Prevail... On the Rock.
Thanks Highlander! It often seems that only bad news is worthy of being mentioned, which always skews perception.
The "austerity" budgets we have gotten used to because of the IMF have been difficult. Ending the IMF deal will help all of Jamaica greatly.
In 1983 the IMF austerity budget forced Jamaica to outlaw doing business in US dollars. That was the main reason I left the Island in '86. It was just impossible to make a living.
Thank God we're finally getting rid of the IMF due to the diligence and sacrifice of the Jamaican people
Cap
Attachment 53062Quote:
Originally Posted by captaind
A great read on the evils of the IMF and WB. Take the money, lose you soul.
"Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins
Very happy to read Jamaica will escape the clutches of the IMF. I remember Michael Manley speaking of the problems a country endures with the “help” of the IMF.
Mofo, thanks for your post. That was my first thought when I saw this thread. "I wonder where all the guns are from, I thought facetiously?" I'm a former cop (Michigan) and I've been shot at while both at home and on duty. I'm not entertaining a gun discussion, that was just my initial thought. I feel for the many good people who are trapped in neighborhoods that have to live with this insanity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kold Ass Mofo
Dr. J
It is a shame that the government has had to resort to military checkpoints in the effort to reduce crime in your beautiful country however it can only be seen as a good thing if it helps reduce violent crime.
On our way from Montego Bay to Negril we passed 2 checkpoints and were waved through after a quick check with our bus driver.
We had already decided that we wanted to go to Black River and YS Falls on an organised tour, the bus picked us up and off we went. We encountered a queue at a military checkpoint. The cars in front of us were quickly waved through only for a young cop to decide that he needed to see everyones passports on the bus and we were waved off the road. The young guy then decided we all needed to get off the bus and present our passports. Our driver Byron made a phone call to his boss to explain what was happening and before we had time to get off the bus we had the senior guy from the JDF get on the bus and apologise most profusely that the young guy was an inexperienced Police officer and had made an error of judgement and that we were free to continue and he hoped we had a good day.
The JDF guy was brilliant and managed to avoid what could have quickly become a major problem as not one of us had our passports with us (We are advised to leave our passports locked in our safes)
We had a fantastic day out at Black River and YS Falls and passed through the same checkpoint on the way back without incident.
So, a couple of check points that you were quickly wave through and a stop on the way to Black River. I see this only as a positive trip report. No loss of time between MoBay and Negril and only a few moments on the way to Black River. The young JCF officer learned a lesson and although it may have been a little nerve racking at first when you were asked off the bus, remember freedom is not free and the price of peace and security is not free as well. The next time you see those young JCF officers, or JDF, offer to buy them a bottle of water or a fruit drink. Remember, they are the front line (and in most cases the last line) of defense for our peace and security.Quote:
Originally Posted by harrison
Thanks for reporting harrison
We are very glad we left early for the airport yesterday. The backup at the checkpoint going into MoBay was about a half hour when we went through and you could see it backing up over the hill. I'd recommend having a little extra time going back on a Saturday or Sunday to the airport.
Guys just a quick update on the SOE
Summary -The State of Emergency in the parishes of St James, which includes Montego Bay, Hanover and Westmoreland has been extended to 13 August 2019
The above statement is from the UK Foreign Office.
The original State of Emergency by the PM was for 14 days starting on April 30th..would have ended May 14th
then Parliament extended the State of Emergency for another 90 days so August 13th 2019 it ends if not extended
this is contrary to many Caribbean News Agency that were saying it was going to end July 29th 2019
Cool Runnings, Marko
So heading back with my family (with teenage kids) next weeks but have been to Negril close to a dozen times. It's been 6 years since we've been there so based on this thread it sounds like the only adjustment we should consider aside from the usual would be to head back from the restaurants and bars on the cliffs a bit earlier than we may have in the past? Also give a little extra time when heading back to MoBay flight out. I hate how these things read in the news and it is hard to weed through the fear vs. reality. Appreciate any other tips from those on the ground.
-
Along side the fact that it is off season, you will find it only a little bit slower than normal this time of year. Except for the visual presence of some extra security and some earlier closing of businesses you should not notice much of a change. There really isn't much of a problem with Negril mostly in the surrounding communities like Sav, Little London area etc..Quote:
Originally Posted by OneLoveNegril
Enjoy yourself full stop.
Thank you for your reply and insight. We always go in the slow season (kids out of school and before hurricane) so used to a pretty quiet and chill Negril. God bless!
My wife and I have been to Negril 16 times together for trips lasting between 2 weeks and as long as one month and always have a hard time leaving. We havnt been in 2 years and I havnt kept up to date with whats goin on down there. I heard a bunch of bad stuff from a friend yesterday and also heard about the SOE. Breaks my heart to see this happening. We were never the normal tourist type who stayed at the resort. We always rent a scooter and go to the little towns around Negril and mingle with the locals and have never felt afraid or uncomfortable. I hope this is resolved soon because we plan on bringing some family when we chave me this year. My plan is to move to Panama when I retire but until then Negril will always be our winter getaway. I would kill to have the old Negril back the way it was when i first went 25 years ago.
I am not sure what you have been told, but sounds like you have been misinformed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irieonline
You will be able to easily leave your resort, rent a scooter and go to the little towns around Negril and mingle with the locals just as you always have.
The information in this thread and this one,
https://negril.com/forum/showthread....riends-in-jail
pretty well explains what is happening and why.