Wow, this has gotten rowdy. I believe we all know and care about people in Negril &/or in Jamaica somewhere and regardless of ones financial situation, squatting is a very harmful and unethical way of conducting ones personal business. The only way to resolve any squatting situation is to handle it immediately, the longer the it festers, like an infection, the worse it gets and that is where the entitlement comes in, individuals or groups feel they have earned the right to be there based on time and theoretical improvements they have made. The safety factor alone should be enough to enforce the law, but the almighty dollar gets in the way. The JPSC (Jamaican Public Service Co) is lobbying the Govt as we speak to allow squatters to obtain electrical service. Current Ja regulations forbids JPSC from supplying power to a potential customer without them having documentation showing rightful occupancy. Since so many people are squatting in Ja, the theft of electricity is astronomical and the power company is missing out on that revenue and wants their piece and the Govt wants the taxes collected on the supplied power. It's a lose-lose all the way around.

Whether it be an individual setting up camp or a complete Shanty Town, squatting diminishes the integrity of any community. I have a heavy heart for the disadvantaged, whether it be their fault or not and I understand many do not have the resources to buy land and build homes, but there has to be a better way. Squatter lands are not a physically or emotionally safe to be, for adults or children nor do they benefit anyone in the community.