Safety and security-random thoughts

[Fred Stripe]

KC......I was staying at Hedo in the mid 80's your door to the room was right next to the door of the next room....We stumbled home one night and the dam door will NOT open....Jamming the key and twisting and jerking it...It finally opens....We go inside lay on the bed....Look around...Hey,thats not my clothes? We were in the room next door.....We run out quickly and go to our room....I then realize I left my prescription glasses in the other room so Yeah,,,I had to break in again and get my glasses.....Still don't know how my key was able to open the door.....

[Yvonne]

I talked to guy last evening who was ripped off in November at Gatehouse. He admits he probably should have closed and locked the door and that he was pretty wasted. The burglars came in while they slept.

I've heard this story or a variation of it dozens of times over the years. If you don't behave a certain way at home, don't behave that way in Negril, Cancun, Toronto, Chicago, Miami, Paris, London, etc.

[Dwest]

To me, I need to feel that the general outlook of the people who live where I am going is welcoming and not totally cynical towards tourists. This can happen and I often don't blame people because we often show a kind of over the edge side of our personality or an arrogance. For me, that's why I've often stayed away from spots like Negril. But i have found it to be great of course i do stay out of alot action, good and bad by staying at the Westender!

If people don't see you as a "person" then it's easy to disrespect or take advantage of and this goes both ways. I see Jamaicans, as I see most people in the world, as interesting, creative, family oriented, friendly and welcoming people. I believe they do their best to sort out the difficult balance to be helpful, professional and smart in the tourist scene but also true to themselves and genuinely warm. Like anywhere, however, there are people who do what they need to survive and get what they want. I've never had any money...so this is easy but I never take expensive toys, flash a lot of jewelry, or money. Not drinking a lot helps because its easier to see what is up and who is who and also watch my own behaviour. To me, beside just being frigging warm and swimming in the aqua water, the best part is learning from and enjoying the people. Sorry this is long.

[dash]

I am always amused by the state of some of us tourists after a night in Negril. I know that there's a lot of dumb luck when partiers return to their hotels unscathed with wallets intact. I cringe when people assume they had a good time though they blacked out halfway through the night.

[sabu]

I just returned from 11 wonderful days in Negril but can confirm SlimJims post. In the first breakin, on the beachside, the thieves went through a hole in the fence and "jimmied" the lock - apparently security was asleep and the guests were awakened with 2 jamaicans in the room rummaging through their stuff. We heard about the breakin while sitting around the bar at Best of the West (which is not conected in anyway to the properties in question). Coincidentallly, one of the old timers at the bar that night was the Canadian robbed the following night. He came to Best of the West and was very upset.....after 34 years in Negril and well known in his "neighborhood" he always slept with his second floor balcony door open. He awoke to find 2 thieves rummaging through his room and chased them out of the property.....he says the security cam picked him up buck naked and that once again security was asleep. The locals at the bar started in teasing the old timer and were defensive. After a lot of talk that robberies happen everywhere, one local woman -- who was clearly a long time acquaintance of the Canadian --started teasing him that he had invited the 2 men back to his room (in wigs) thinking they were women. The bar had a good laugh but it was a reminder that visitors need to be on guard and take reasonable precautions. When I asked one of my long time Jamaican friends how they protect themselves from breakins, he just said that locals were protected by their neighbors and everyone looking out for each other. That said, I stay in a hotel with a safe and leave all my valuables there and just have "walk around" money on me for piece of mind.

[Fred Stripe]

I was educated on a post here once that said you should always wipe off the keys for your in room safe.Some thieves(a bad employee) put a light powder on the keys and come back with a black light and can see the 4 keys with no powder and try to figure out your code.

[goldilocks]

I've heard that too, Fred Stripe. I just don't bring any bling, gadgets, anything I wouldn't want to lose. I'm the type that if someone asked for an item I'd most likely give it to them, no need to thief. But if they are so bold as to sneak in my room while I'm there, all bets are off.

[negrilmaven]

One thing I always do is get Travel Guard insurance- this way if you do get robbed and a police report gets written up, you will get reimbursed. Also, god forbid- you get real sick, you can get evacuated to Miami. The other thing I do is tip my maid very well every time (I stay at White Sands) - she would not dare help a thief out....40 trips and counting...so far, so good. Ditto to all the bling being left at home.

[Thatswhatshesaid]

If you have a smart phone which most people do these days, there are "burgler alarm" free apps avail. Mine is a windows phone and you turn on the app, lean the phone against the door, or any other place that would move, and if that thing gets moved or picked up or the slightest movement and it goes off. The sound will peel the paint off the wall.

[Lola]

If you have a smart phone which most people do these days, there are "burgler alarm" free apps avail. Mine is a windows phone and you turn on the app, lean the phone against the door, or any other place that would move, and if that thing gets moved or picked up or the slightest movement and it goes off. The sound will peel the paint off the wall.

How do you disarm it without it blasting off in the morning?