Be Careful in Negril

[oceanbeachsky]

It's like the wild west in Negril. I was informed by a local that it isn't a bad idea to carry some sort of weapon to protect yourself cause you're basically on your own. The police are useless, the locals won't get involved because they fear their own safety for getting involved snitching, and tourist are just too plain scared to help. It's common for people to just turn the other way when something goes down. This was told to me by a non local girl who was stabbed in the chest with a broken bottle with people around and no one did anything. Up till that incident happen Negril was paradise for her now she questions why she is still there and will she be returning in the future. Yes bad things can happen anywhere in the world but this isn't encouraging for rest and relaxation. Being on vacation means leaving all the stress and worries at home not packing a weapon to defend yourself should the sitituation arise. Will it stop me from coming back? Doubt it but it's definitely not a place I would recommend to my friends without accepting this reality about Jamaica. Im sure we'll all agree the Jamaicans are beautiful people and its really sad it has to be considered this way.

[brownsd54]

"Like the wild west in negril", really. Lawlessness abound and a gun slinger on every corner. I think not. In fact I know not. If you want to walk down some dark ally to buy some crack cocaine, then you might have some trouble. Walking the beach or walking West End Road is most certainly not the wild west. When someone advocates someone else to carry a weapon is irresponsible and will do nothing more than create violence and get people hurt. If you have an encounter, and 99.99% of locals and tourists alike will not, the proper think to do is not to resist. If you have a weapon, then adrenalin will kick in and you will feel the need to use it. This will end badly and do nothing more than present another weapon for the bad guy to use the next time.

Oh, and BTW, "the police are useless". Did the police not make 2 arrests within 24 hours of the Lime Tree Lane incident??

[Packrat]

Does everything has to be taken to extremes? Lets just stick to the facts. Please stay on subject and not make statements you do not absolutely know(experienced) to be true. Hearsay, rumors and embellishments severely distort the truth and it does nothing but grow into myths. I have been going to Negril for over 25 years and do not advocate anyone possess a weapon. Be aware of your surrounding and don't venture to unknown areas. Partake in whatever vises you would like but over indulgence can lead to very poor decision making. I remember her voice so clearly, Miss Jenny wouldn't sell you a slice of her "cake" unless you promised to take it back to your accommodations and indulge it there, she was a smart lady.

[oceanbeachsky]

Good point Packrat. Who knows if the story I was told was even true. Supposedly it did happen in the west end and it was an unprovoked attack. So I guess if I happen to be in that .1 percent category and I get mugged or robbed just tell the bad guy that stabbed me "no problem mon" as I walk away bleeding and break out into a chorus of one love to make him or her feel bad. That should work.

[noproblem]

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.

[Accompong]

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.

noproblem,

That has been my experience to that in over 31 years in Jamaica I have had many Jamaicans come to my assistance whether in an argument or broken down on a lonely stretch of road etc.. I even had a Jamaican whom I did not know in an area where I had never been before, loan me $3000 Jamaican dollars just on my word I would pay them back two days hence.

My observation is that it is easy to "shoot a hole" in someone's theory when it is a "theory" espoused by the shooting of their mouth without facts to back up their statement.

Thanks for saying something that I was thinking.

Peace and Guidance

[sandman66]

noproblem - I guess I will shoot a hole in your theory. After a thief sliced the strap off my wifes purse 20ft from the gate to Country Country (and leaving a nice gash on her arm), nobody (including the security of Margaritaville), and multiple people in vehicles, did a thing as he sprinted down the road with me in chase screaming that he had just robbed us. I stopped chasing when he ran into the bush on the morass side of the road. Didn't see the point of trying to run him down anymore considering the butcher knife he was carrying. Take my word for it, locals don't want to get involved when things get serious.

Accompong - this is my story, not one that I heard. Wife still has a scar to remind her.
Not saying Jamaicans will not step up to help in other situations, I have good stories too. But when there is potential for violence, they look the other way. And I don't blame them, they have to live there.

[Rob]

Sandman,

We remember discussing this incident with you when it happened years ago. We still feel horrible about what happened. But you may not know, that thug is in jail as he got caught attempting it again. This information came straight from the arresting officer.

[Kevin, PA]

Lets keep in mind every person, situation, experience is unique. To make broad brush assumptions based on an individual experience is probably not the best way to see the world and judge people. I'm not saying we shouldn't adjust our behaviors based on what we know or worst case scenarios to protect ourselves. I'm just saying it's going against human nature to assume everyone will exhibit the same behavior in the same situation let alone differing situations and circumstances.

[sandman66]

Sandman,

We remember discussing this incident with you when it happened years ago. We still feel horrible about what happened. But you may not know, that thug is in jail as he got caught attempting it again. This information came straight from the arresting officer.

I never heard that Rob. Do you know how they determined it was the same guy?
We did 2 weeks in Port Antonio last year, it was nice there but the almost daily rain got a bit depressing. This December we are either coming back to Negril or possibly checking out Costa Rica. Gotta crunch the numbers and make a decision soon.