Crime threads...advice for a sort of newbie?

[kibby]

I posted here because I haven't been to Negril in 20 years and based on some previous posts, I just wanted to get a sense of how things are now in comparison to 2 decades ago. In case I didn't mention, I had travellers checks taken 23 years ago in Negril...I got too comfortable and left things unlocked.

In the 80s, while I didn't stay at the beach, we walked aboout town and on the beach and I never felt unsafe. I'm assuming that I will see a lot of changes in that respect---no Margaritavilles, only 2 AIs back then and more undeveloped beach property. And while there were hustlers around, it sounds like that has increased as well.

I found this site after I booked my tickets a few weeks ago. I must say had I seen it before with all the posts about how bad things are I might have thought twice. But I also believe that Jamaica is a place you either hate or love....and if you love it, it is forever in your blood! I have thought of Negril, Bird Mountain, the hills so many times over the past 20 years. While I am only iin my early 40s, I feel the need to go back, at least once more, in my lifetime.

I appreciate everyone taking the time to share their thoughts about the dos and dont's....

Can anyone explain the taxi situation? Where to get a taxi, which are safe or approved? And finally, I'm still deciding on how to go about money---bring cash, debit cards or those ancient things known as travellers checks?

warmest regards

[captaind]

Can anyone explain the taxi situation? Where to get a taxi, which are safe or approved? And finally, I'm still deciding on how to go about money---bring cash, debit cards or those ancient things known as travellers checks?

warmest regards

Cars with red license plates are properly insured and licensed to carry passengers.

A "Route" cab takes as many passengers as they can fit in the car. Rate is 1.25 US per leg. In Negril one leg is the beach and the other is the cliffs (West End)

A private cab costs more (about 1.5 times) but it's a lot more comfortable and once you find a driver you can call him pretty much any time

I recommend Linston @ www.redplate-negril.com and a transportation sponsor here at negril.com

To be fair I should mention he's my son so I may be a bit slanted (lol) Fell free to contact hm or me for any information that will make your visit easier.

Cap

[kibby]

Cars with red license plates are properly insured and licensed to carry passengers.

A "Route" cab takes as many passengers as they can fit in the car. Rate is 1.25 US per leg. In Negril one leg is the beach and the other is the cliffs (West End)

A private cab costs more (about 1.5 times) but it's a lot more comfortable and once you find a driver you can call him pretty much any time

I recommend Linston @ www.redplate-negril.com and a transportation sponsor here at negril.com

To be fair I should mention he's my son so I may be a bit slanted (lol) Fell free to contact hm or me for any information that will make your visit easier.

Cap

Thanks! I may PM about an airport ride. I'm arriving alone...thought about Juta, but maybe will go the private taxi route!!!

[old goat]

i have never had any problems in negril day or night.been goin there for years.i am not afraid of a couple of punks thinkin they are gonna rob me!!!they better have guns and know how to use them!!!

[Kiknback]

These incident's happened. I choose not to report the name because I feel no need to punish the poor hotel owner because a guest brought a hooker home. Particularly because the place is small, has no internet presence, and is amost certainly not booked for any Negril.com visitor's vacation.

It might be more helpful to publish the name of the larger, more frequently booked hotel that the thief reportedly also hit. But that would be rumor, and, of course, unallowed. I've probably already said too much.

But yes, it did happen. And many, many more unreported. I am sure every repeat visitor can name dozens examples of "incidents" happening. Almost all of these involve some sort of rumor, so they cannot be reported on here. But, almost all cases, something happened.

I never said that all incidents should be reported on here. Quite the opposite. I siad that is impossible.

And to suggest that you do, is simply wrong. Crime happens every single day. Only a small percentage is reported here or anywhere else.

[Rob]

Kikn,

Anyone can say anything, but facts are facts. If you hear a rumor, that does not automatically mean it is true. In fact, it means the exact opposite, that it may not be true.

That is why rumor and speculation serve no useful purpose. You have no facts to back up your claim that a larger, more frequently booked hotel was "also hit" other than the rumors you heard. To claim something happened with no facts to back it up is irresponsible at best. And it would be irresponsible to allow it to be posted here.

I know more than a dozen repeat visitors that can name all kinds of wild stories that they have heard and they know for a fact that the rumors are not true because they were there when and where the rumored event supposedly happened. In fact, this exact thing happened to us just yesterday!

For you to say that in almost all cases, something happened is nothing but pure speculation on your part. You are making a guess.

If you have facts, please state them.

But the fact remains that there are no travel warnings from any country about Negril, unlike the US Travel Warning about the Bahamas released yesterday. State Departments from countries around the world consider Negril to be a safe place to visit.

There is very little tourist crime in Negril. Is there none? Of course not, there are first hand incidents reported right here that go back 30+ years. But most of the rumors and speculation that you hear about is simply that - rumor and speculation with no basis in fact.

Anyone can say anything... but facts speak for themselves.

[Fred Stripe]

Gee,if the robberies were not reported? How did You find out?

Yeah that's right,dont punish the poor hotel but let folks continue to go there and get robbed???

If I go to a restaurant and got sick,,I would use this board to warn others.....

You sound like,,I got robbed but dont want report the guy because he may get in trouble???? Do you work for Trip Advisor?

[booger]

Gee,if the robberies were not reported? How did You find out?

Yeah that's right,dont punish the poor hotel but let folks continue to go there and get robbed???

If I go to a restaurant and got sick,,I would use this board to warn others.....

You sound like,,I got robbed but dont want report the guy because he may get in trouble???? Do you work for Trip Advisor?

LOL! Not to downplay Kikn's points, that just made me laugh....