US issues Travel Advisory for Jamaica (FALSE)

[jan24]

We just returned home from the West end area of the crime and were a likkle more cautious of our actions and surroundings. For one thing, there were more police man driving and standing in this area than we have EVER seen in Ja. in 15 years. As Rob says, this is not Disneyland!, but a community that is probably very close, if not at the poverty line, where desperate people may do desperate things for whatever reason. We wanted to visit some friends up in Red Ground in the evening but were advised if we did to take a cab up and down, not to walk the area, which we wouldn't have done anyway. Jamaica is changing, but so is our neighborhood. Meth and herion are attracking our youth and crimes are commited everyhour to feed those monsters. Will we return to the Island we love so much? Probably! In a new york minute things could change in our lives, BUT that could be ANYwhere! Why not enjoy Paradise and just take off those Rose colored glasses! Be smart, don't get trashed and expect others to look out for you, no bling, don't bring out wads of cash, etc.

[Rob]

RyanP,

Actually thank you for posting this fabricated mis-informational link. I know you had no intention of misleading anyone, but it serves a purpose in its falseness. Some people actually do have an agenda when making their rumor, speculation and downright lying posts.

I found the other "Negril enthusiast" site you mentioned and found the post made by the person who I feel honestly mistakenly believed the false "travel warning" and ran with it. That is what the writer of the false travel advisory had hoped - someone would pass on their mis-information and spread it as if it was true. Their agenda could be as simple as to see how many people would believe it, have some real or imagined grudge against Jamaica or worse yet, someone from another Caribbean destination intentionally sabotaging Jamaica to benefit their own destination. There are all kinds of reasons that people start these false stories.

What is kind of sad is now that same person is trying to defend their mistakenly false post by saying that "THERE IS A MEETING AT RAYON TODAY AT 2PM REGUARDING THESE MATTERS THATS HOW UNVALID SOME WHO HAVE YOU BELIEVE". Well, yes, there is a meeting today at Rayon. It is called the monthly Negril Resort Board meeting that has many items that it will be covering. It has no direct relation to anything this person has posted, it just happens to be the monthly meeting that is happening today. I will be there as I have been asked as a Resort Board member. The issue of the crime will come up as it always does, as does the trash, the roads, the sidewalks and other regular topics that fall under the direction of the Resort Board. But the person who wrote the ALL CAPS quote is making a false conclusion that one has to do with the other. They do not. This is the regular monthly meeting.

As I have stated before, with the increase in visitors and the "instant news" the internet provides, there are bound to be more robbery stories, both true and false. I have posted 3 stories myself, somewhat curious at their circumstances. I do believe the people who told me - but since I wasnt there, I have to believe them at face value, but that does not mean I am necessarily getting the whole story.

Just last night Lisa (Bnewb) and a friend who just got into town went to LTU (her friend's favorite place) and saw Bill, Sabine (happy birthday Sabine), Ken, Robin, Byron, Niah, Noreen and the rest of the crew and was greeted like family. They then went to Eddie's De Bar and saw the usual crowd there - getting home around midnight. They left me at home...

The point is that these women went out on their own and had a great time meeting old and new friends at a several of the places Negril is known for. This is a true experience - unlike that false "travel advisory" that started this thread.

This is exactly the reason we do our best to prevent rumor and speculation to be posted on Negril.com. What you find on Negril.com is the truth, as only the truth can allow our visitors to have the best vacation they can possibly have.

[Rob]

Mike D,

Here is a link to the 3 curious stories I related in response to Kahuna's post.

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...n-Negril/page7

[Mike_D]

Mike D,

Here is a link to the 3 curious stories I related in response to Kahuna's post.

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...n-Negril/page7

Thanks for the link, Rob. Your summary of these events agrees with my suspicion that I likely would not find myself (and wife) in these situations.

ETA: Not diminishing the seriousness of these or any crimes, and I agree that it needs to be addressed. Just stating that there are precautions that can be taken to mitigate your chances of being a victim.

[Vince]

How many times does this have to come up, again and again. It can or will can happen anywhere. Just be cautious where, when you are out. ANYWHERE you are vacation or just every day life. IMO

[Jaherring]

I don't mind it being brought up again and again, I mean everyone especially new visitors need to be aware of the situation, so that they will be safe and enjoy their vacation. Info is a good thing.

[Marko]

dunno if anyone remembers......but back in the early 80's there was some unrest in Jamaica especially around election time......
and those were the advisories to reckon with......mi know people that were in Westmoreland at der house back then.....
but they said nuthin really happened that they saw......and most of dat stuff that was happening.....was in Kingston anyways

Cool Runnings, Marko

[captaind & Linston]

M,

I was there for the elections of 1980.

Cap

[JamaGinger]

I'm a bit confused. It appeared to me that the post shared by Rob was from the U.S. Embassy in Kingston. It does not specifically mention Negril, but it was on their site and was referring to the whole of Jamaica. I was able to find it on the embassy site myself.

[Rob]

It is confusing because the US Embassy in Kingston did not officially announce their Warden Message reminder until 2 days after the original post. The US government travel department has not changed their stance on Jamaica. And yes, the Warden's reminder was about the island as a whole, not Negril.

This is why I posted the Warden Message in the following thread.

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...sy-in-Kingston