Oceanbeachsky.. Just shooting a hole in your theory that locals will not help you out. This April will be trip 20 for me and in all those trips I've only had one altercation. I was leaving the HiLo heading to Digicel when a guy decided he was going try to get money from me. It started out with him just following shouting at me and then getting in my face. After a few nasty words from both us he shoved me. Before I could blink three local drivers had him on his butt. Not that I really felt I was in any true danger I had him by about 30 pounds and plenty of experience fending for myself but it was nice to know the locals had my back. To be honest the shove would have never happened had I just stopped a taxi or driver real quick but this guy pissed me off and I was being stupid by keeping up with his verbal crap.
Now, to shoot hole in your theory of tourists not helping out; this "tourist" would help in a heartbeat. Two trips ago I pulled a man from a burning car just after a bad accident (head on collision) on the way into Negril. Wasn't the best way to start a vacation but that driver will live to talk about his. These were very real experiences.
