Shooting number 3...

[kim&betty]

I spoke with a friend who is a bartender on the west end this morning. He said employees who get off work after dark are fearful waiting for a route taxi to get home. He said that if they see a motorcycle light approaching they hide in the bushes until it passes. My/Our favorite place on earth is on a very slippery slope. If the Jamaican Government/Police can't protect the people, they should allow the people to protect themselves. When only criminals have guns this is what you get. If the citizens of negril were armed, and had a stand your ground law this foolishness would end very quickly. The hard working people of Negril are very aware of the impact these events may have on tourism and their families livity.

[Kevin, PA]

I spoke with a friend who is a bartender on the west end this morning. He said employees who get off work after dark are fearful waiting for a route taxi to get home. He said that if they see a motorcycle light approaching they hide in the bushes until it passes. My/Our favorite place on earth is on a very slippery slope. If the Jamaican Government/Police can't protect the people, they should allow the people to protect themselves. When only criminals have guns this is what you get. If the citizens of negril were armed, and had a stand your ground law this foolishness would end very quickly. The hard working people of Negril are very aware of the impact these events may have on tourism and their families livity.

Oh please! So there is much less gun violence in the US because of our gun laws...is that seriously what you are trying to say? Don't bring this debate to the board. I think I'd rather discuss route taxis.

[kim&betty]

Hey Kevin, I respect your opinion. But oh please, would you like to work 10-12 hrs a day for very little $$, and then cower in the shrubbery at the sight of an approaching bike? Perhaps you would. That is my friends reality, and neither he nor I think it's acceptable. The Police are all protecting/patrolling the big parties along the beach road. Firearm possession by law abiding citizens is certainly a deterrent to crime. I agree though it is a crappy solution to a very real problem.

[Packrat]

I think I'd rather discuss route taxis.

Now that brought a little levity, you are right, lets not go there

[Accompong]

I spoke with a friend who is a bartender on the west end this morning. He said employees who get off work after dark are fearful waiting for a route taxi to get home. He said that if they see a motorcycle light approaching they hide in the bushes until it passes. My/Our favorite place on earth is on a very slippery slope. If the Jamaican Government/Police can't protect the people, they should allow the people to protect themselves. When only criminals have guns this is what you get. If the citizens of negril were armed, and had a stand your ground law this foolishness would end very quickly. The hard working people of Negril are very aware of the impact these events may have on tourism and their families livity.

These are definite tragedies and I can see why a Jamaican would be fearful to stand waiting on dark roads for a route taxi and hear a motor bike approaching but, come on now!

Putting guns in the hands of Negril's citizens is truly a stupid idea. You have obviously never lived in Kingston. I have. People are shooting people all the time and hardly no one is carrying a gun legally. Allowing people to "protect themselves" will only make more people die. This is not your country so you would probably be advised not suggest a "George Zimmerman" brand of justice on a Travon Martin society.

You think arming people will make tourists feel safer? What about an English tourist? They are not so stupid in England to allow guns and surely don't want to go somewhere that does.

You want to make your "slippery slope" a waterfall?

with 40.9 murders per year per 100,000 people, are among the nations with the highest murder rates in the world

The Government/Police have a difficult time now but these people will be punished eventually. This is an island and there is really no where to run. Things take time in Jamaica.

[kim&betty]

Accompong, the following quote is from the same web page you sited above.

According to the latest available data, the murder rate in the United States was 4.7 per 100,000 population.

You also made the point

People are shooting people all the time and hardly no one is carrying a gun legally.

That is what I mean, LEGALLY carrying a gun would deter these mad youths who think they are shottas/rude boy's/bad men what have you, from continuing with impunity. They all have cell phones and know exactly where the police are when they choose their victims.
You have been going to Jamaica for almost 20 yrs longer than I have, I do respect your opinion. I also love Jamaica, and my friends are family to me, as yours are to you. Blessings to you and yours.

[Blueallah]

Terrific idea: Carry a gun and whenever a motorcycle approaches draw it and if it's a bad guy you shoot first.

[captaind]

Accompong, the following quote is from the same web page you sited above.
They all have cell phones and know exactly where the police are when they choose their victims.

Oddly enough several times in the past when the police/army were making a full sweep of the area the cell phones stopped working

[kim&betty]

I don't remember saying the JDF or Jamaican Police were stupid, Capt. It isn't very odd, but rather easy to shut down a few towers to disable cellular service. But tourists would complain that their wifi connection was as weak as the water pressure. Accompong didn't make the quote as you pieced it together, the cell phone comment was mine.

[Packrat]

We are all on the same side here Gang, NEVER Foget that. We may all have different opinions and thoughts of what we think is best but the one thing we should have in common is our respect and heartfelt condolences of those who are there and dealing with the tragedies of love ones, acquaintances and neighbors. The fear going through the neighborhoods and commuters who work the West End and all of Negril, those whom have welcomed us, waited on us and befriended us, whether it was once or a hundred times. I am not a religious person but I will ask for someone to look over the loved ones, in the place in our hearts, NEGRIL