Safety and security-random thoughts

[Jaherring]

Slim JIm....some people live in a fantasy world. They will go to their grave never believing anything *bad* can happen to their beloved Negril. Thanks for this thread...maybe it will remind folks to always secure your *stuff* when you travel.

[Big Poppa]

A timely reminder SlimJim... Thanks. Even the Hyatts and the Fairmonts of the world have these types of issues now and again.

Staying safe is easy... just as easy as being complacent. Our choice.

April 6th can't get here soon enough!!

[Yvonne]

Break ins in Negril very often aren't break ins at all but people leaving patio doors open, sometimes even leaving the entry unlocked after coming in after a night on the town. Others have to do w/ inviting new "friends" back to the hotel. Many are crimes of opportunity that happen when people don't exercise common sense. I learned years ago - not because I was robbed but others were - not to leave 2nd floor patio sliding glass doors open. Yes, there are "cat burglers" in Negril who are very skilled at climbing pipes, crossing balconies, being stealth. I wouldn't/didn't leave my sliders open but those who did had a rude awakening. In fact, the burgler had been in a couple of rooms before someone woke up & chased him off. To this day, even though I always lock my sliders, I add an extra lock I carry w/ me. I use all locks on the doors. It doesn't matter if I'm going to a friend's room on the next floor or to the beach, my room is always locked up. I also have a pac safe to use. Because I stay at the same place & know the staff well, I don't have to worry about things going missing but I still don't offer the opportunity. If I were to stay at a new location, I would be even more diligent.

Thanks for reminding people to stay safe & exercise common sense.

[sbeth]

I always use the safe! I recently traveled to Florida for a wedding. We were coming back up from the beach to shower and change into clothes for dinner and as we turned towards our room down the hotel corridor, we saw a hotel employee leaving our room (I believe it was the person who checks the mini bar for use). We were far enough away for him to not know which room we were approaching. Anyway, as he left, he didn't secure the door! It required a little tug for the lock to engage and he just didn't do it. So had we not been approaching just then, our door would have been visibly open for anyone who walked by. No matter where you are, assume that nothing in your hotel room is safe unless you put it in the safe!

[thepegboy]

If your hotel doesn't have a safe, bring your own!
There are options on the market, or just make one from a strong metal box. Get bike cable & padlock, find a strong window bar or water pipe, and all's good!

[original spanky]

slimjim, not being argumentative . i was not saying one could not have bad things happen in our favorite spot. i have been over 50 trips. was robbed of a few hundred bucks i left in my backpack at rooms just 3 years back.. had a front room and did not keep the door locked, last year other than bribing one of negril's finest my wife and i would have been in the negril jail for a couple nights. i wont repeat all the other stuff in fear you will just think i am a trouble maker. the point that i was making is that things get exaggerated and the chance of a burgerler hitting several (three or more) properties in the same night is rare anywhere. i do think that you might want to share the properties if you have that info. it won't cause someone not to stay there but might help to ensure all precautions are taken.

[kmolineux]

Yes please let us know which properties were named, I will be coming down in a few weeks and would like to know.

[Limo Mon]

Door open not good for prevnting a break in . I never had problem in 12 trips to Negril. I use bottles as alarms even with locked doors at nite on the 2nd floor. If you want the door open bring fishing line and make trip wires with empty bottles. They also target drunk staggering people kmowing when you crash for night you properly won't hear them and wake up. Leave the bling pack less clothes take more cash beaware and enjoy.

[DConkle]

Great idea with the bottles and fishing line Limo Mon!

[Fred Stripe]

I bring a little bell and set up a trip line on the door....A robbery is a man on man thing..A burglary is going into a room. Big difference...These were burglaries.