Squaters in Negril Removed...

[Westenders]

Rob, you are only partially right. Yes there are many people who own land in red ground, but there is a large qty that is still capture land, as is up in the West end too. We know many who have acquired land there , built amazing houses, but don't have no title.
And right across Jamaica it happens everywhere, It's common practice there.

I don't want to compete with your 21 years living in negril, as I have never lived in negril, however I spend a lot of time there, and my husband grew up and lived there for a lot longer as one of those founding families. The majority of who are still there. We have very close ties to negril, but realise our social circles will be very different, so have different viewpoints to the ones you share.

The programmes you quoted are a start, but are very flawed. The most in need cannot access these. In fact some are another example of corruption. I know of Jamaicans living in the uk, who have bought into those housing programmes, and rent them out from here.

I don't believe everything I read in the press over here, so would not trust those reports on the govt programmes to be inclusive to those that really need the help.

I don't know what you mean in terms of how these squatters have the ability to help themselves..that's a broad sweep..in what way? Without education, stable housing or stable employment, how do they have the ability..
In terms of those in the article being able to afford to build their own houses, I think a piece of zinc roof and some boards of wood is hardly building a house. My garden tools are housed better than that. They often build with 'recycled' material as well.

I don't agree with the view that Jamaicans don't have respect for these people either. They don't look at the issues the same as us not born there. We all like to think we get it, but we don't really. Jamaicans in my view just try to get on best they can, and understand that others have to do what they can. The richer communities think differently of course, but they are not the majority.

When I showed my husband the article, his negativity was toward the government not the people who got evicted.

And to plough in at 3.30 am with children there, well that's just disgusting. Where was the child protection and safeguarding in that plan?

[booger]

Rob, you are only partially right. Yes there are many people who own land in red ground, but there is a large qty that is still capture land, as is up in the West end too. We know many who have acquired land there , built amazing houses, but don't have no title.
And right across Jamaica it happens everywhere, It's common practice there.

I don't want to compete with your 21 years living in negril, as I have never lived in negril, however I spend a lot of time there, and my husband grew up and lived there for a lot longer as one of those founding families. The majority of who are still there. We have very close ties to negril, but realise our social circles will be very different, so have different viewpoints to the ones you share.

The programmes you quoted are a start, but are very flawed. The most in need cannot access these. In fact some are another example of corruption. I know of Jamaicans living in the uk, who have bought into those housing programmes, and rent them out from here.

I don't believe everything I read in the press over here, so would not trust those reports on the govt programmes to be inclusive to those that really need the help.

I don't know what you mean in terms of how these squatters have the ability to help themselves..that's a broad sweep..in what way? Without education, stable housing or stable employment, how do they have the ability..
In terms of those in the article being able to afford to build their own houses, I think a piece of zinc roof and some boards of wood is hardly building a house. My garden tools are housed better than that. They often build with 'recycled' material as well.

I don't agree with the view that Jamaicans don't have respect for these people either. They don't look at the issues the same as us not born there. We all like to think we get it, but we don't really. Jamaicans in my view just try to get on best they can, and understand that others have to do what they can. The richer communities think differently of course, but they are not the majority.

When I showed my husband the article, his negativity was toward the government not the people who got evicted.

And to plough in at 3.30 am with children there, well that's just disgusting. Where was the child protection and safeguarding in that plan?

You seem to have a strong opinion based off of second knowledge from your husband, who seems to have it all figured it.

[brihinds]

They went through this same area about ten years ago and cleaned it up for the safety of those long time residents of Negril who truly belong there. It was my understanding that they found all kinds of contraband there.

Further, I know for sure my family and many of my friends in Redgound are not squatters. Ask the owner of the Red Dragon. Lots of highly respected Negril people live in Redground.

[Westenders]

Brihands. Re- read my post I never said everyone in red ground are squatters., or that many people there are not regular people, paying their own way.
You are right many people there are land owners, but plenty captured the land back in the day.FACT.
It's so established that many don't realise that this was the history. Ask the owner of Red Dragon about that..

[Accompong]

Brihands. Re- read my post I never said everyone in red ground are squatters., or that many people there are not regular people, paying their own way.
You are right many people there are land owners, but plenty captured the land back in the day.FACT.
It's so established that many don't realise that this was the history. Ask the owner of Red Dragon about that..

FACTS??? They don't need no stinking facts! It's emotion that rules. Just say the word "squatter" and the wallets will open and the tears will flow. How would they like it if someone just moved on to their property and built a house.... fancy or otherwise?

[Rob]

Brihands. Re- read my post I never said everyone in red ground are squatters., or that many people there are not regular people, paying their own way.
You are right many people there are land owners, but plenty captured the land back in the day.FACT.
It's so established that many don't realise that this was the history. Ask the owner of Red Dragon about that..

Westender,

I have re-read your post, and you did in fact state that MOST of Red Ground people are not paying their way today - this IS what you wrote:

"Let's face it most of red ground is capture land, why didn't they go in there."

MOST OF RED GROUND means more than half - the majority. So you are saying the majority of the people currently living in Red Ground are squatters and do not pay their way. You did not qualify it by saying "back in the day" or any other such statement - just a simple "let's face it" as a fact.

When posters misinform others on this board, presenting their opinion as fact which has no basis in reality, it is wise for others to correct this misinformation so people know the truth.

The vast majority of people in Red Ground are not squatters and own their land. I stopped by Red Dragon last night for few minutes after the webcast at 3 Dives and showed your comment to one of the owner's son (I didnt see Ragabones, the owner) and their night customers who have been born and raised in Negril and are Jamaican friends of mine. Most of these folks live in Red Ground and just happened to be gathered at Red Dragon on a Tuesday night.

After the laughter died down, some of the curious asked, who would say such an bumba#$#% thing? One did state that well, it may have been true before Norman Manley Blvd was built a half century ago, but not now. Overall, the folks gathered were shaking their heads sadly that misinformation about them were being posted on the internet. I told them I would let the poster know their feelings and correct this misinformation being spread about them.

And now I see you had to backtrack to Brihinds and state "You are right many people there are land owners, but plenty captured the land back in the day. FACT. It's so established that many don't realise that this was the history. Ask the owner of Red Dragon about that.."

Why didnt you state that you were talking ancient history in the first place on this tourism based forum instead of misleading tourists into believing that Red Ground currently has mostly squatters living there?

In your "Let's face it" post, were you actively trying to hurt the businesses in Red Ground, wanting tourists to be afraid of going to great places like Red Dragon by claiming mostly squatters live in Red Ground when that is simply not true? Or did you have some other agenda as Flip has pointed out that you think this is some kind of knowledge contest?

Yes, we do have differing opinions on squatting. I do not see it as a good solution to anything and something that creates a whole new set of problems that will have to be dealt with in the future. You see it as a good solution. Would you mind answering a good solution to what problem? If it is housing, maybe you should remember what else you wrote about the government sponsored affordable housing that I mentioned:

"I know of Jamaicans living in the uk, who have bought into those housing programmes, and rent them out from here."

Rather than encouraging squatting, maybe your time could be better spent getting those Jamaicans you know living in the UK to stop exploiting the Jamaican government affordable housing programs and encourage them to sell these "rental" properties to those underprivileged Jamaicans who want to get ahead in this developing country.

But you can rest assured, when any poster tries to use Negril.com to present their misguided opinion as fact, the poster will be challenged on their misleading comments by myself and those who actually do know. We have quite a cross section of posters here on Negril.com, from the first time visitors to posters born, raised and still living in Negril. The truth is what matters, not rumor and/or speculation being presented as fact.