murder in westend again

[Rob]

People are getting shot and killed rather frequently as of late. Not sure how the title of the thread is off base.

Sometimes perceptions dont mesh with reality. For the first half of 2014, the Jamaican Constabulary Force has recorded an 8% decline in murders in Jamaica than the previous year's figures.

http://jis.gov.jm/murder-rate-january-june/

It may come as a surprise to many that there has been a decline in homicides in Jamaica so far this year, especially with all the attention the high profile killing of our old neighbor, Colin Lynch had on the internet. Had that not occurred, the "guesstimates" of a higher number of murders may not be of any discussion at all. Perceptions can mask the reality.

And for another possible surprise, following the lower murder rate island wide, the JCF has recorded a continued fall in all other categories of major crimes.

Living here gives one a more accurate accounting of actual incidents. You get a mental chart of trends from year to year. Many years ago, when crack was first introduced by foreigners to Negril, the homicides were more frequent although the guns were not the weapon of choice back then.

Last year (2013), due to the crack down by the JCF on the lottery scammers, the homicide rate was higher, which is one reason for the 8% drop in the murder rate this year.

And to point out an obvious fact, not a single one of these homicides were directed at any tourists. As with many crimes in any small region, it is often based on revenge and vendetta rather than any random occurrences.

With the increased actions by the JCF, the new ballistics systems being implemented on the island and dismantling of the criminal elements, we all hope that these decreases in all major crimes continue in the future.

[booger]

Sometimes perceptions dont mesh with reality. For the first half of 2014, the Jamaican Constabulary Force has recorded an 8% decline in murders in Jamaica than the previous year's figures.

http://jis.gov.jm/murder-rate-january-june/

It may come as a surprise to many that there has been a decline in homicides in Jamaica so far this year, especially with all the attention the high profile killing of our old neighbor, Colin Lynch had on the internet. Had that not occurred, the "guesstimates" of a higher number of murders may not be of any discussion at all. Perceptions can mask the reality.

And for another possible surprise, following the lower murder rate island wide, the JCF has recorded a continued fall in all other categories of major crimes.

Living here gives one a more accurate accounting of actual incidents. You get a mental chart of trends from year to year. Many years ago, when crack was first introduced by foreigners to Negril, the homicides were more frequent although the guns were not the weapon of choice back then.

Last year (2013), due to the crack down by the JCF on the lottery scammers, the homicide rate was higher, which is one reason for the 8% drop in the murder rate this year.

And to point out an obvious fact, not a single one of these homicides were directed at any tourists. As with many crimes in any small region, it is often based on revenge and vendetta rather than any random occurrences.

With the increased actions by the JCF, the new ballistics systems being implemented on the island and dismantling of the criminal elements, we all hope that these decreases in all major crimes continue in the future.

Glad to see they are down 8% across the whole island. However the OP specifically mentioned the West End, not Jamaica as a whole. Any stats to share regarding the West End?

[TAH]

Glad to see they are down 8% across the whole island. However the OP specifically mentioned the West End, not Jamaica as a whole. Any stats to share regarding the West End?

That's what I was wondering myself, since Kingston represents the overwhelming majority of the murder rate.

[Rob]

The JCF would not have a published breakdown in their semi-annual and annual reports for the West End of Negril.

Negril is not considered a town yet, it is considered a village. It's numbers would be at most broken out as Negril as a whole (both Westmoreland and Hanover) but the numbers are generally included in the Westmoreland figures.

The West End is simply a nickname that the local residents came up with to differentiate it from the beach area. It is nothing "official". One Love Drive or the West End Road was originally called the Lighthouse Road. All three names can be used interchangeably.

From a living here standpoint, there does not seem to be any noticeable increase in the number of homicides, perhaps even a drop from last year. But there has been a whole lot more discussion on the internet about the incidents that have happened this year over the ones that happened last year.

[captaind]

And to point out an obvious fact, not a single one of these homicides were directed at any tourists. As with many crimes in any small region, it is often based on revenge and vendetta rather than any random occurrences.

Very true. Few visitors would know the motive for some of these local on local crimes.

Cap

[Els720]

In reading this post there's a few things I need to ask. 1. Was this latest murder near the hotels on the west end? 2. Was there or was there not more then one homicide on the west end area a month or two ago by some bikers or something? Just going by what I thought I had read on this board. I'm just asking I'm not trying to make a point here. As far this not happening to tourist, and being between locals. correct me if I'm wrong but there is always a chance for collateral damage.

[sunray]

There is nothing wrong with sharing information (good and/or bad), about Negril and Jamaica, but if a poster chooses to make a post, especially about such a serious issue as gun crime and murder in "westend" shouldn't that person at least give some information for the basis of their post? "Count is up to around 10" ??? What timeframe is that, what defines "westend" geographically, is that anywhere close to being an accurate statement, or is it based on some knowledge the poster probably should have shared?
Gun crime and murder have plagued Jamaica, (and many other parts of the world) for many years. People should be aware of that fact. It troubles me that posts regarding such a devastating problem are made with about as much thought as somebody starting a thread and asking where they can find some good jerk chicken. Sadly, many families and friends are left behind, suffering the loss of a loved one, and I wonder what they might think of the sometimes casual, and almost flippant way some members of this board discuss such issues.
Empathy is a very good quality that we should all put in to practice.

[Jaherring]

I was talking to Beverly while getting a massage and she was very concerned and even scared. She lives across from Catcha and said it was the young thugs that have her so afraid to live there by herself. She is trying to save up some money and move, hopefully to the states where her son lives. She said that area of the west end road was getting dangerous and not like it used to be.

[Big_frank]

Will this have any influence on my visits to Negril?
No.

The only thing I have to consider these days is; can I afford it?

None of this recent crime is against visitors.

The only thing that worries me a bit is the memory of the hotel robbery at the Falcon resort years ago, where tourists were robbed and a gardener was killed.

I only stay at secure properties like Sea Star (and so should you).