Safety and security-random thoughts

We are leaving for the airport in an hour. My wife is packing and I am staying out of the way. We have had 2 great weeks at Seawind with no problems at all. However, I am sad to report that the night before last there were a number of robberies at several beach road hotels. I see no point in naming them here. The police responded and spent yesterday interviewing people who were victimized.
There is a definite but understandable reluctance among locals and visitors to discuss the situation, almost like they are in denial. We spoke with one USA couple and a single Canadian yesterday who were telling their story to anyone who would listen. The usual items were taken, cameras, laptops, etc. This is terrible and surely ruins your vacation. But, this being Negril, things do get greatly exaggerated so I taking things with a "grain do salt".
However, everything I have heard, and it's a lot, leads me to believe these were well planned crimes of opportunity. The moral here, as has been said on this forum many times, don't give them an opportunity. Lock your door at night. Use the room safe when your out. How simple is that? Don' rely solely on hotel security. Those that exercised due care and caution weren't affected.
Lots more to say but gotta go.
BTW, back in 4 weeks. Lucky me!

I find I get lazier and lazier as time goes by about securing my valuables in my cottage. My iPhone is often left out for charging and only the housekeepers are coming and going but I know it could be an opportunity for theft. Thanks for the heads up/reminder. I will be more conscious on my next trip

What tips do you have for those places that don't have in room safes? There seem to be plenty of establishments that still do not have them, and yet that can't be the only deterent when choosing a place to stay.

Just my opinion but I strongly dout there were several robberies in one night at several beach hotels

Where do you stay? My being a solo 63yr old traveler makes me nervous to here this

I'm just not bringing my iPad this vaca....as there is no room safe at white sands...it'll be ok...this is not a working vacation..I'll just enjoy all that Negril has to offer!

Ipad fits in the safe at Sea Splash!

I leave the gadgets & gizmos at home ~~~ no worries for me

I tried to phrase my original post so as not to to disturb anyone but I knew when I posted that some would go into immediate denial mode. You can doubt all you want spanky, though since I suspect you are not presently in Jamaica I can,t see how you can form an opinion, but while I did not witness the events I did see the police presence. Also the persons I spoke to were staying at different hotels. Further, as I said earlier our area of the beach was abuzz the following day. We were having breakfast that morning at one hotel in question and asked staff what was up.
I was not trying to spread gossip nor disrespect Negril, merely a word to the wise. As to what to do if there is no safe in the room, these were not break-ins. It was at night and, incredibly, the doors were unlocked or the thieves somehow had obtained keys. The Canadian gentlemen who was extremely upset and angry admitted to us he sleeps with the door open for the breeze and sound of surf. He was on the second floor.
I have traveled all over the world for business and pleasure. I have been robbed twice, once in Italy and once in china. Never had an issue in Negril after 12 trips over 4 years totalling about 30 weeks. I stress reasonable care and caution and you will have no problem.

Good advice Patricia!

Slim JIm....some people live in a fantasy world. They will go to their grave never believing anything *bad* can happen to their beloved Negril. Thanks for this thread...maybe it will remind folks to always secure your *stuff* when you travel.

A timely reminder SlimJim... Thanks. Even the Hyatts and the Fairmonts of the world have these types of issues now and again.

Staying safe is easy... just as easy as being complacent. Our choice.

April 6th can't get here soon enough!!

Break ins in Negril very often aren't break ins at all but people leaving patio doors open, sometimes even leaving the entry unlocked after coming in after a night on the town. Others have to do w/ inviting new "friends" back to the hotel. Many are crimes of opportunity that happen when people don't exercise common sense. I learned years ago - not because I was robbed but others were - not to leave 2nd floor patio sliding glass doors open. Yes, there are "cat burglers" in Negril who are very skilled at climbing pipes, crossing balconies, being stealth. I wouldn't/didn't leave my sliders open but those who did had a rude awakening. In fact, the burgler had been in a couple of rooms before someone woke up & chased him off. To this day, even though I always lock my sliders, I add an extra lock I carry w/ me. I use all locks on the doors. It doesn't matter if I'm going to a friend's room on the next floor or to the beach, my room is always locked up. I also have a pac safe to use. Because I stay at the same place & know the staff well, I don't have to worry about things going missing but I still don't offer the opportunity. If I were to stay at a new location, I would be even more diligent.

Thanks for reminding people to stay safe & exercise common sense.

I always use the safe! I recently traveled to Florida for a wedding. We were coming back up from the beach to shower and change into clothes for dinner and as we turned towards our room down the hotel corridor, we saw a hotel employee leaving our room (I believe it was the person who checks the mini bar for use). We were far enough away for him to not know which room we were approaching. Anyway, as he left, he didn't secure the door! It required a little tug for the lock to engage and he just didn't do it. So had we not been approaching just then, our door would have been visibly open for anyone who walked by. No matter where you are, assume that nothing in your hotel room is safe unless you put it in the safe!

If your hotel doesn't have a safe, bring your own!
There are options on the market, or just make one from a strong metal box. Get bike cable & padlock, find a strong window bar or water pipe, and all's good!

slimjim, not being argumentative . i was not saying one could not have bad things happen in our favorite spot. i have been over 50 trips. was robbed of a few hundred bucks i left in my backpack at rooms just 3 years back.. had a front room and did not keep the door locked, last year other than bribing one of negril's finest my wife and i would have been in the negril jail for a couple nights. i wont repeat all the other stuff in fear you will just think i am a trouble maker. the point that i was making is that things get exaggerated and the chance of a burgerler hitting several (three or more) properties in the same night is rare anywhere. i do think that you might want to share the properties if you have that info. it won't cause someone not to stay there but might help to ensure all precautions are taken.

Yes please let us know which properties were named, I will be coming down in a few weeks and would like to know.

Door open not good for prevnting a break in . I never had problem in 12 trips to Negril. I use bottles as alarms even with locked doors at nite on the 2nd floor. If you want the door open bring fishing line and make trip wires with empty bottles. They also target drunk staggering people kmowing when you crash for night you properly won't hear them and wake up. Leave the bling pack less clothes take more cash beaware and enjoy.

Great idea with the bottles and fishing line Limo Mon!

I bring a little bell and set up a trip line on the door....A robbery is a man on man thing..A burglary is going into a room. Big difference...These were burglaries.

That's the great thing about the Seastar Inn. Never any break-ins. For a time, there were break-ins at the RIU Club (through the doors, I believe), so I bought a little fold-up door stopper for my own peace of mind. If you're worried about inside jobs with folks who might have keys or are in cooperation with dishonest staffers, the door jam is perfect.

Fred Stripe thank you. I initially thought 'several ROBBERIES'? Being the victim of theft still sucks though.

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Originally Posted by Jamakafun

What tips do you have for those places that don't have in room safes? There seem to be plenty of establishments that still do not have them, and yet that can't be the only deterent when choosing a place to stay.

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I bought a large "Pacsafe" travel safe http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...afe-p-874.html

Buy it from Amazon or shop around for price, I didn't pay the MSRP that is stated in the above link. I wrapped the cable around some hidden plumbing or you can use the clothes rod in the closet and locked it with a bigger lock than comes with the safe and I had peace of mind our whole reach. I bring it even if there is a safe in the room to store laptops, CD players, large cameras that don't fit in the room safe.

This post prompted me to have a look at what is available. Not just for Negril but for travel in general. I was in Costa Rica recently and my friend had a pacsafe which really did provide us with comfort knowing our things were well secured. Here's a link for some very reasonable options.

http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...fety-c-35.html

Love my pacsafe, also use a door stopper for the front door at night as well as the extra lock for the sliding glass doors. No worries for me, never a burglary for me. I like to sleep soundly at night & I do.

I talked to guy last evening who was ripped off in November at Gatehouse. He admits he probably should have closed and locked the door and that he was pretty wasted. The burglars came in while they slept. It kind of reminds me of not feeding the bears in Yellowstone. Please keep your arms inside the car and lock your doors.

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Originally Posted by rootsie

This post prompted me to have a look at what is available. Not just for Negril but for travel in general. I was in Costa Rica recently and my friend had a pacsafe which really did provide us with comfort knowing our things were well secured. Here's a link for some very reasonable options.

http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...fety-c-35.html

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Thanks rootsie those are nice options. Are we gonna hear these places listed??? I am curious as well as others.

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Originally Posted by Caught

I talked to guy last evening who was ripped off in November at Gatehouse. He admits he probably should have closed and locked the door and that he was pretty wasted. The burglars came in while they slept. It kind of reminds me of not feeding the bears in Yellowstone. Please keep your arms inside the car and lock your doors.

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Sounds like a recipe for disaster no matter where you rest your head at night.

i don't know what i would do if someone was in my room at nite....i lock the door for two reasons...one, to protect me from you....two, to protect you from me.......:)

LOL, Amen to that! I've been known to slip out a window and come back in the door on someone's unlucky azz, and I'm sober....

KC......I was staying at Hedo in the mid 80's your door to the room was right next to the door of the next room....We stumbled home one night and the dam door will NOT open....Jamming the key and twisting and jerking it...It finally opens....We go inside lay on the bed....Look around...Hey,thats not my clothes? We were in the room next door.....We run out quickly and go to our room....I then realize I left my prescription glasses in the other room so Yeah,,,I had to break in again and get my glasses.....Still don't know how my key was able to open the door.....

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Originally Posted by Caught

I talked to guy last evening who was ripped off in November at Gatehouse. He admits he probably should have closed and locked the door and that he was pretty wasted. The burglars came in while they slept.

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I've heard this story or a variation of it dozens of times over the years. If you don't behave a certain way at home, don't behave that way in Negril, Cancun, Toronto, Chicago, Miami, Paris, London, etc.

To me, I need to feel that the general outlook of the people who live where I am going is welcoming and not totally cynical towards tourists. This can happen and I often don't blame people because we often show a kind of over the edge side of our personality or an arrogance. For me, that's why I've often stayed away from spots like Negril. But i have found it to be great of course i do stay out of alot action, good and bad by staying at the Westender!

If people don't see you as a "person" then it's easy to disrespect or take advantage of and this goes both ways. I see Jamaicans, as I see most people in the world, as interesting, creative, family oriented, friendly and welcoming people. I believe they do their best to sort out the difficult balance to be helpful, professional and smart in the tourist scene but also true to themselves and genuinely warm. Like anywhere, however, there are people who do what they need to survive and get what they want. I've never had any money...so this is easy but I never take expensive toys, flash a lot of jewelry, or money. Not drinking a lot helps because its easier to see what is up and who is who and also watch my own behaviour. To me, beside just being frigging warm and swimming in the aqua water, the best part is learning from and enjoying the people. Sorry this is long.

I am always amused by the state of some of us tourists after a night in Negril. I know that there's a lot of dumb luck when partiers return to their hotels unscathed with wallets intact. I cringe when people assume they had a good time though they blacked out halfway through the night.

I just returned from 11 wonderful days in Negril but can confirm SlimJims post. In the first breakin, on the beachside, the thieves went through a hole in the fence and "jimmied" the lock - apparently security was asleep and the guests were awakened with 2 jamaicans in the room rummaging through their stuff. We heard about the breakin while sitting around the bar at Best of the West (which is not conected in anyway to the properties in question). Coincidentallly, one of the old timers at the bar that night was the Canadian robbed the following night. He came to Best of the West and was very upset.....after 34 years in Negril and well known in his "neighborhood" he always slept with his second floor balcony door open. He awoke to find 2 thieves rummaging through his room and chased them out of the property.....he says the security cam picked him up buck naked and that once again security was asleep. The locals at the bar started in teasing the old timer and were defensive. After a lot of talk that robberies happen everywhere, one local woman -- who was clearly a long time acquaintance of the Canadian --started teasing him that he had invited the 2 men back to his room (in wigs) thinking they were women. The bar had a good laugh but it was a reminder that visitors need to be on guard and take reasonable precautions. When I asked one of my long time Jamaican friends how they protect themselves from breakins, he just said that locals were protected by their neighbors and everyone looking out for each other. That said, I stay in a hotel with a safe and leave all my valuables there and just have "walk around" money on me for piece of mind.

I was educated on a post here once that said you should always wipe off the keys for your in room safe.Some thieves(a bad employee) put a light powder on the keys and come back with a black light and can see the 4 keys with no powder and try to figure out your code.

I've heard that too, Fred Stripe. I just don't bring any bling, gadgets, anything I wouldn't want to lose. I'm the type that if someone asked for an item I'd most likely give it to them, no need to thief. But if they are so bold as to sneak in my room while I'm there, all bets are off.

One thing I always do is get Travel Guard insurance- this way if you do get robbed and a police report gets written up, you will get reimbursed. Also, god forbid- you get real sick, you can get evacuated to Miami. The other thing I do is tip my maid very well every time (I stay at White Sands) - she would not dare help a thief out....40 trips and counting...so far, so good. Ditto to all the bling being left at home.

If you have a smart phone which most people do these days, there are "burgler alarm" free apps avail. Mine is a windows phone and you turn on the app, lean the phone against the door, or any other place that would move, and if that thing gets moved or picked up or the slightest movement and it goes off. The sound will peel the paint off the wall.

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Originally Posted by Thatswhatshesaid

If you have a smart phone which most people do these days, there are "burgler alarm" free apps avail. Mine is a windows phone and you turn on the app, lean the phone against the door, or any other place that would move, and if that thing gets moved or picked up or the slightest movement and it goes off. The sound will peel the paint off the wall.

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How do you disarm it without it blasting off in the morning? :eek: