Kahuna,
As we both know, this is not a laughing matter, the answer, I think it depends on your definition of "robbed". If you are talking of the "free bracelet" scam known world wide, it was probably today. If you are talking about having your bag or camera taken at a bar when you leave it unattended, I am sure it was in the last few days.
The real problem comes in what you consider being "robbed". A burglary is not a robbery, which includes leaving your room unattended and items appear to be missing. This happens nearly everyday. And a very high amount of those are done by the visitors themselves. I have seen the Crime Scene Unit waste their time and resources at resorts when someone, on their last day, has all their methods of payments "stolen" while their iPad and cellphone are sitting in plain sight on the desk or the bed.
In the last month, I have heard a few of cases of "robbery" (being threatened) that have left me puzzled. One story happened at a bar after 1am, the "robbers" came up to the two gentlemen sitting at the bar and the robbers immediately placed their hands in the pockets of these gentlemen knowing where they kept their money. Interesting points in this story was that the bar was closed (at 10pm), and for some reason the two gentlemen were sitting at an unlit, unattended bar after 1am, with no bartender, with no lights and no one around except the "robbers". What would posses someone to sit at an unlit, closed bar after 1am is curious to me to say the least.
Another recent story has a mother and two children leaving her door wide open for an extended length of time at night (not at a resort, but private residence) and the "gentlemen robbers" as described, took only the money and even gave back the credit cards. Once again, a curious situation to say the least.
And again, I heard a story about a man being robbed on a road where there was virtually nothing around. No stores, no bars or restaurants - no one within even yelling distance. If you are walking in an area where no one else is walking and no one is around, again, not the wisest decision and a curious situation.
To set matters clearly - here is the latest US International Advisory about Jamaica - Negril is not even mentioned....
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...y/jamaica.html
Negril is a real place, not a "Disneyland" constructed entertainment zone. Our visitor numbers have been up this year, probably about 5% over last year. With the advent of "instant news" thanks to the internet, true and false "news' are both reported. And with the increased number of visitors, the number of "robbery" stories will obviously increase, true or not.
But everyone on this forum, as they have in the past, has the right to post their own true experiences (not the "I heard from someone who heard it from a friend" type rumors). We have unfortunately had some fellow Boardies who have had bad experiences relate their experience truthfully and have helped others learn from their experiences.
Negril is a real place with real people that is ever growing and will change with time. The "hippie" era ended decades ago and Negril has gown up as did the "Woodstock Generation". Negril will continue to grow and change in the future, and with rational, truthful information everyone can and will benefit from this.
