murder in westend again

[Rob]

People are getting shot and killed rather frequently as of late. Not sure how the title of the thread is off base.

Sometimes perceptions dont mesh with reality. For the first half of 2014, the Jamaican Constabulary Force has recorded an 8% decline in murders in Jamaica than the previous year's figures.

http://jis.gov.jm/murder-rate-january-june/

It may come as a surprise to many that there has been a decline in homicides in Jamaica so far this year, especially with all the attention the high profile killing of our old neighbor, Colin Lynch had on the internet. Had that not occurred, the "guesstimates" of a higher number of murders may not be of any discussion at all. Perceptions can mask the reality.

And for another possible surprise, following the lower murder rate island wide, the JCF has recorded a continued fall in all other categories of major crimes.

Living here gives one a more accurate accounting of actual incidents. You get a mental chart of trends from year to year. Many years ago, when crack was first introduced by foreigners to Negril, the homicides were more frequent although the guns were not the weapon of choice back then.

Last year (2013), due to the crack down by the JCF on the lottery scammers, the homicide rate was higher, which is one reason for the 8% drop in the murder rate this year.

And to point out an obvious fact, not a single one of these homicides were directed at any tourists. As with many crimes in any small region, it is often based on revenge and vendetta rather than any random occurrences.

With the increased actions by the JCF, the new ballistics systems being implemented on the island and dismantling of the criminal elements, we all hope that these decreases in all major crimes continue in the future.

[booger]

Sometimes perceptions dont mesh with reality. For the first half of 2014, the Jamaican Constabulary Force has recorded an 8% decline in murders in Jamaica than the previous year's figures.

http://jis.gov.jm/murder-rate-january-june/

It may come as a surprise to many that there has been a decline in homicides in Jamaica so far this year, especially with all the attention the high profile killing of our old neighbor, Colin Lynch had on the internet. Had that not occurred, the "guesstimates" of a higher number of murders may not be of any discussion at all. Perceptions can mask the reality.

And for another possible surprise, following the lower murder rate island wide, the JCF has recorded a continued fall in all other categories of major crimes.

Living here gives one a more accurate accounting of actual incidents. You get a mental chart of trends from year to year. Many years ago, when crack was first introduced by foreigners to Negril, the homicides were more frequent although the guns were not the weapon of choice back then.

Last year (2013), due to the crack down by the JCF on the lottery scammers, the homicide rate was higher, which is one reason for the 8% drop in the murder rate this year.

And to point out an obvious fact, not a single one of these homicides were directed at any tourists. As with many crimes in any small region, it is often based on revenge and vendetta rather than any random occurrences.

With the increased actions by the JCF, the new ballistics systems being implemented on the island and dismantling of the criminal elements, we all hope that these decreases in all major crimes continue in the future.

Glad to see they are down 8% across the whole island. However the OP specifically mentioned the West End, not Jamaica as a whole. Any stats to share regarding the West End?

[TAH]

Glad to see they are down 8% across the whole island. However the OP specifically mentioned the West End, not Jamaica as a whole. Any stats to share regarding the West End?

That's what I was wondering myself, since Kingston represents the overwhelming majority of the murder rate.

[Rob]

The JCF would not have a published breakdown in their semi-annual and annual reports for the West End of Negril.

Negril is not considered a town yet, it is considered a village. It's numbers would be at most broken out as Negril as a whole (both Westmoreland and Hanover) but the numbers are generally included in the Westmoreland figures.

The West End is simply a nickname that the local residents came up with to differentiate it from the beach area. It is nothing "official". One Love Drive or the West End Road was originally called the Lighthouse Road. All three names can be used interchangeably.

From a living here standpoint, there does not seem to be any noticeable increase in the number of homicides, perhaps even a drop from last year. But there has been a whole lot more discussion on the internet about the incidents that have happened this year over the ones that happened last year.

[booger]

The JCF would not have a published breakdown in their semi-annual and annual reports for the West End of Negril.

Negril is not considered a town yet, it is considered a village. It's numbers would be at most broken out as Negril as a whole (both Westmoreland and Hanover) but the numbers are generally included in the Westmoreland figures.

The West End is simply a nickname that the local residents came up with to differentiate it from the beach area. It is nothing "official". One Love Drive or the West End Road was originally called the Lighthouse Road. All three names can be used interchangeably.

From a living here standpoint, there does not seem to be any noticeable increase in the number of homicides, perhaps even a drop from last year. But there has been a whole lot more discussion on the internet about the incidents that have happened this year over the ones that happened last year.

Hopefully the additional discussion will lead to change. The more attention brought to the situation will likely bring additional resources. Or is that wishful thinking?

[captaind]

And to point out an obvious fact, not a single one of these homicides were directed at any tourists. As with many crimes in any small region, it is often based on revenge and vendetta rather than any random occurrences.

Very true. Few visitors would know the motive for some of these local on local crimes.

Cap

[Els720]

In reading this post there's a few things I need to ask. 1. Was this latest murder near the hotels on the west end? 2. Was there or was there not more then one homicide on the west end area a month or two ago by some bikers or something? Just going by what I thought I had read on this board. I'm just asking I'm not trying to make a point here. As far this not happening to tourist, and being between locals. correct me if I'm wrong but there is always a chance for collateral damage.

[treefrog]

Don't forget that most of the posters on this board consider themselves " non touristy" tourists. So they don't count as tourists . I think??

[captaind]

Don't forget that most of the posters on this board consider themselves " non touristy" tourists. So they don't count as tourists . I think??

I think a majority of regular posters here at this time of year are regular visitors to Negril.

During the season there are lot more "tourists"

[Chris B]

In reading this post there's a few things I need to ask. 1. Was this latest murder near the hotels on the west end? 2. Was there or was there not more then one homicide on the west end area a month or two ago by some bikers or something? Just going by what I thought I had read on this board. I'm just asking I'm not trying to make a point here. As far this not happening to tourist, and being between locals. correct me if I'm wrong but there is always a chance for collateral damage.

Actually, as Rob pointed out in his summary of the news article, one of the victims lived on the north coast, EAST of MoBay, but still in western part of the island. The other victim, though living in Negril, had moved there from inland of Lucea near Jericho, which is about halfway along the coast road from MoBay to Negril. This particular gentleman may have had some baggage that led to his demise, as the assailants appear to have been known to him.

In these instances, it isn't fair to characterize these particular crimes and tragedies as endemic to the Negril (or specifically, West End) area, although one of them actually occurred there. I'm still of the opinion that these incidents are targeted toward local Jamaicans, due to circumstances that place the victims in a possession of business related cash, or something of value to the perpetrators. I don't believe that in any of the cases, tourists were ever in harm's way... and I don't say that to minimize these tragedies.

Look... it's easy for us to comment and speculate over what the hell may or may not be going on in Negril. But one thing is for certain. Not many of us on the board are familiar with the facts as those on the ground, living in Negril are; and we really need to stop bringing our own "facts" to the discussion without exercising some sensitivity to the families of the victims, some of whom we are personally familiar with.

Respect and blessings to the families of the victims.