this is not just a Jamaican thing....I cant think of the last time I read where the crime rate has dropped anywhere!..money is tight and getting tighter.......when people are pushed to their limits, some will change, a different type of person is out there then there was 20-25 yrs ago.....once we had a "protected status" as a tourist, we were fair game for a little "con"..but physical violence was not condoned by any Jamaican, as it might "make us all go away"..........not so anymore we are looked at by some as a "easy income, and to make it easy for them, we are very poor in describing any perpetrator,lol I have overheard some tourist describing their assailant " It was a Black Rasta type with sort hair", (it more then was likely tucked in).........
And as a rule we try to be friendly, if not slightly stupid in not wanting to offend our "hosts", so we allow ourselves to relax our defenses........BUT remember you didn't got to Jamaica to sit behind any wall or room in fear, but also you cant control fate..in otherwords (*hit happens)...use common sense, if its too cheap.. there is a reason..........your not in Kansas, and for sure Jamaica is not OZ!...........
Safety first...fun next
Have a Happy and a Thankful Thanksgiving
