Hi Bnewb, the police ledger they wrote the report in was an huge old leather bound book that looked 100 years old (may have been). I'm glad to hear they are moving toward computers!Originally Posted by Bnewb
It's a good article written for US Embassy employees that are relocating here. I think if one is truly interested, they should read the whole article themselves. It's quite an extensive article covering everything from where to live in Kingston, how to get around and dealing with crime.
Negrilmon, while I appreciate your research and comments...as someone living down, here I find your highlighted section a bit out of context.
As for getting "things" done down here...yes, it can be difficult as everything isn't computerised (though they are working on it) and unfortunately many of the systems are still backed up in all forms of government agencies. You should definitely have received that paperwork.
And, on a slightly lighter note...the police station is currently being renovated.
My 1st visit to Negril was in 1975 as a 10 year old (stayed at Seagrape on the Cliff's) and there was hardly any electricity available in Negril and only one pay phone down by the roundabout...Many days the phone wasn't working because it was full of coins and no more could be added to make additional calls...In 1975 at Rick's Cafe, if you ordered a drink that used the blender, the music would be impacted as the blender sucked away the energy from the stereo...I believe they used a small generator at Rick's in those days...To think that they are now moving toward computers at the police station is a huge difference from where Negril once was but I don't know if I would call it progress...I think I liked Negril back then better that today...
I'm not trying to take the comment that was highlighted out of context...Hence why I attached the full article and linked it above my highlight.
My point was that I feel police and government corruption are the primary problems in Jamaica beyond the root of all evil which is the love of money.
Jamaican Police corruption isn't a new concept to me...I recall during my visits to Negril as a teenager in the Early 1980's that my Father would give me a few $100 bill's to carry around with explicit instructions to bribe the police if I was ever accused of doing something against the law. I was told that bribing the police wasn't against the law and a much better alternative to ending up in a Jamaican jail. FYI I never had to use the money.
Unfortunately my father( Scott was his name and he was known as the man with the sick legs up on the cliffs due do his needing canes and a problem walking) has passed away. I spread his ashes off the bridge at Tensing Pen about 20 years ago so I consider Negril my home away from home and love it and most of it's people! I think I have passed that love on to my children because my Daughter and Son are now teenagers and have some great memories of Negril and they talk about them often!
Peace
