A cautionary tale, especially for returners

[oceanbeachsky]

Instead of everyone being so squeamish and worried action should be taken by tourist against these bad types that prey on innocent victims. I'm basically a passive individual but if someone messes with my family or my stuff they'll have to suffer consequences. Instead of running and hiding in fear let's take out one or more of these thieves. I'm watching and waiting for something like this to happen to me. I can assure you the post that follow won't read like what I am reading here. I'm not preaching violence but lets face it we all want to read the post of the tourist who beat down the Jamaican thief and maybe cut off a finger or 2 of the would be criminal. I can assure you if we can instill fear into to these low life's, crimes like these would be reduced. I remember once catching a thief trying to break into my room at the beachcomber. After personally chasing him off the property because I was unable to find security in time. Their advise was I should have beat them down. Great! yeah mon, no problem. Examples have to be made and a would be thief will think twice about whose room they are entering. Better not be mine!

[negril#1fan]

the criminals in these cases are armed with a blade and I'd assume quite skilled with it.... Now I'm all up for a good attempt at a beat down, but a long blade and someone quite skilled with it tilts the odds substantially....

Again, these are armed invasions with occupants present..... nasty stuff...

[oceanbeachsky]

the criminals in these cases are armed with a blade and I'd assume quite skilled with it.... Now I'm all up for a good attempt at a beat down, but a long blade and someone quite skilled with it tilts the odds substantially....

Again, these are armed invasions with occupants present..... nasty stuff...

This is true but anything you pick up with your hand can become a weapon in self defense. Beer bottle,room lamp,etc. I know this is not what we come to Negril for but if we must continue to visit our beloved paradise we must protect ourselves from this violation or find a new destination.

[goldilocks]

[QUOTE=oceanbeachsky;130289] lets face it we all want to read the post of the tourist who beat down the Jamaican thief and maybe cut off a finger or 2 of the would be criminal. QUOTE]

uuumm, no, not all of us want to read that. and not all theives in Negril are Jamaican. Personally, I employ a risk management strategy which involves not bringing tempting gadgets, locking doors and windows and sometimes even rigging an alarm system. but as suzen said, when does all this "being on alert" become not worth it anymore? might as well just stay locked up at home.

[Shaggy]

with due respect accompong. I don't think the dirty laundry thing fits here. Being a long time Rondel fan I want to know everything that went on. I do believe that Rondel is quite livid about what happened and probably is the safest place right now, the having to have a licenced security firm on location must be something new because this was the first reach that I noticed it had been subcontracted out. I had missed last year so it had been 2 years. . We love Rondel and I think as a return customer it is a good idea to let them know our feelings about the inccident.

[negril#1fan]

they were subcontracted out last year.... as mentioned by others, mostly nice young guys (kids) with slight builds and a warm smile..... Personally, I want to vacation where I can leave my balcony door open while I'm in the room and feel the evening breeze.... This story and the others really tick me off, sad..... My group has had personal experience with a similar dark story along the road, a few are ruining it for many....

[Lola]

Personally, I want to vacation where I can leave my balcony door open while I'm in the room and feel the evening breeze....

If you mean while sleeping at night, then you wish to do something that not even Jamaicans do. Might be okay at a high-end all inclusive but its not fair or realistic to expect that in other locations.

[negril#1fan]

Lola I've done it in my 30 odd visits to Negril.... Never at an all-inclusive... Obviously I can't do it anymore... I've even done it at the property in question... Although I take nothing of value and keep my cash in the safe, always only carry enough for the day...

[Kahuna3]

The tiefs will continue to prowl the beach hotels until an example is made of one, or several of them. Like Fredstripe said, we don't hear of tiefs being arrested for tiefing tourists.

These guys are scumbag cowards. If the cops, or some security firm, set up a sting operation and nailed a few of these disgusting pigs, and they were then publicly ostracized - like a stockade at the traffic circle - thievery would abruptly fall off. Believe me.

Don't laugh, the Jamaican police are know to publicly display criminals that they have shot and killed, its true. Jamaicans hate thieves, and know how to look after them when they are caught. There would be no public outcry against such a program.

In this thread alone we have heard of two tourists being threatened with knives by low life thieves in their rooms in the middle of the night.

Serious action is required before someone gets mutilated or killed in a robbery.

If/when that happens, the impact on tourism in Negril will be absolutely devastating.

Wake up. Someone in Negril has to get proactive on this problem.

[KidRick]

I have stayed MANY times at this particular resort, and certainly am greatly troubled by the incident. So glad no bodily harm was done, but this event no doubt had severe psychological impact and my deepest sympathies are extended.

We all love Negril ( spoiler alert I know)

Remained silent our incident as there literally was no way to prevent it other than not being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I share it now as it relates to a broader issue of safety /security and brazen lawlessness ( ie desperation)
2 years ago, My friend , a long time traveler to Negril was leaving the csa gym in the middle of one morning. Not breaking rules, just enjoying his post workout stroll back to hotel. His crime was wearing a gold chain that was given to him by his recently passed away beloved mother. Someone came up and asked him for $10. When he politely said I didn't bring any money to the gym , he kept walking. The assailant grabbed him from behind, stripped his necklace from him, took 2 hard punches and then to thwart the defense he drew a pistol. My friend is 230 and a mountain of muscle with a smile. He is not bigger than a bullet so wisdom and the flash of a wife and kids back home kept him from snapping this guy in two or at least trying. The robber jumped in a waiting cab, ( apparently many thieves work in orchestrated teams) and made a get away. There were a couple of witnesses and so we made a trip to the police station to spend 3 hours filing a report. Everyone felt awful, as my friend has made a lot of friends and is generous with his time and money to so many. You could see the RAGE in many as they know all too well that these thieves rob more than valuables. They shake confidence and erode passion many have for Jamaica. Each incident like this has economic impact bit by bit. We resolved that cowards won't keep us away but we are two guys that can handle ourselves if pushed but absolutely not the kinds to look for or start trouble. The rumbling days are well in my rear view.

If my wife wanted to go with girlfriends, I would have serious reservations and that is sad. My only worry should be for maxed credit cards and sunburn and not her physical well being. Here I am, a lover of Negril, now more guarded and jaded based on first hand experience. That feeling is mounting with each horrible story heard here or elsewhere.

Yes it can and does happen everywhere. But Negril is where I choose to spend my time and money and frankly I am sensing these incidents are on the rise, and just wanting to think about what it is that we may be able to do to help us all quell the bad guys while promoting prosperity for our beloved place in the sun and her native people.

First step is to admit and identify the problem and know there are some people about with bad intentions. Pepper that with the good news that there are so many more of the good people bent on stopping them.


Seems in that spirit the best we can do for the economic prosperity for all is to tactfully inform any resort / business we have eliminated from consideration the reasons why. Particularly when they have become friends and favorites. Safety and security trumps ALL for me beyond price , location and amenities. If you sense or have concerns that a place falls short on that, or any other factor you weigh heavily, let them know. Bet you will see a change or others who will answer to the market.

I have no idea if this resort in this thread has had other incidents. ONE is not acceptable. It hurts those making a living down there and work honestly for their money. No way to know, but it has been speculated that for each incident like this reported as many as 1000 people will not choose Jamaica. That is tragic. We are the boots on the ground that can honestly report the pulse of concern to any and all business owners. When the money pushes the issue,change for the better should follow.

Thanks for the reporting, and all those offering tips on some ways to avoid these terrible incidents. Smart tourists are a start, the business owners and authorities have to partner in bridging the gap.

Play smart cubs.

Your Den Mother