Jamaica - the truth about it.
Okay so this is a bit of a vent blog, I apologize I have become quite passionate about my new home.
Lately in the media they have put out an alert making Jamaica sound dangerous to tourists and I am sure many Canadian tourists have changed their mind and cancelled trips or if they are thinking about a holiday for next winter Jamaica slid way down their list, which is sad - very sad for Jamaica, even sadder for you because you will miss out on a trip of a lifetime. Did you know that Jamaica is a tourist destinations that see the highest rate of return visits!!!
I remember living in Canada and hearing on several occasions of tourists being murdered in Mexico, innocent tourists who were murdered, that scared me and I thought I might never go back to Mexico. I don't ever recall the media bashing Mexico and warning all tourists to stay away and they couldn't even have issued a warning to just stay on the resort and you will be safe because, well the tourists were killed on their resorts - in their hotel rooms even!!!
Jamaica's Prime Minister called for a State of Emergency (should have been called something completely different in my opinion I will speak to him about that later lol) Crime was getting out of control in one area of the island , close to popular tourist destination Montego Bay and he wanted it to stop. Understandable we need to take back the streets from Gangs who think they run things here. So he sent in every force he had to combat this, a media release was sent out to keep tourists from ending up in places where they might find trouble, at this moment I remind everyone that there are places to find trouble everywhere in the world, even in my previous small community in Canada their was places you don't go after dark. As a local you know these places, but as a tourist you do not. They simply advised you to stay on the resort to ensure this didn't happen. Most people who come to an all inclusive in Jamaica stay on the resort? You book excursions through the hotel and go have some fun and return to hotel, there are some tourists who head out to the shops - these are NOT the problem areas. The problem is when tourists venture out on their own and the opportunity to get lost and end up in the wrong place at the wrong time presents itself, this is what they wanted to avoid.
Speaking from experience. I have been to Montego Bay the popular tourist destination that is close by the troubled area, I have been there before, and during the State of Emergency, did I notice anything no, did I travel off the resort, yes, did I see anything to be alarmed about?
NO, why? because I went no where near the troubled area, there was a stronger police presence we went through check stops where armed officers ask you a couple questions and continued on. Will I go back to Montego Bay, definitely, it is now one of the safest places as the crime has been dealt with and it is being constantly watched.
So why all the fuss? Jamaica wants to improve!!! Jamaica wants to put these criminals in their place and keep both the citizens and the tourists of this country safe! The police need to do their job, they are their to serve and protect, just like any other place in the world, this was only a temporary measure to take things down a notch - the State of Emergency has already been renamed and the majority of the reasons they called it in the first place have been captured and dealt with.
Jamaica is a large beautiful place, is it dangerous, like anywhere, it can be. There is crime here, and bad things could happen, but even where you live there is crime and bad things happen we hear about it every day.
So should you stay away from Jamaica? if you are coming here to enjoy the beauty and the weather and the sand and the sea, definitely not. Especially if you are considering coming to visit me, you are safe.
If you are coming here to look for trouble, are involved in criminal activities, looking for drugs and guns, then please stay away, we have enough trouble with locals we do not need to import trouble.
Come to Jamaica and feel alright...
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| Hilton Rosehall Resort, Montego Bay |
I remember living in Canada and hearing on several occasions of tourists being murdered in Mexico, innocent tourists who were murdered, that scared me and I thought I might never go back to Mexico. I don't ever recall the media bashing Mexico and warning all tourists to stay away and they couldn't even have issued a warning to just stay on the resort and you will be safe because, well the tourists were killed on their resorts - in their hotel rooms even!!!
Jamaica's Prime Minister called for a State of Emergency (should have been called something completely different in my opinion I will speak to him about that later lol) Crime was getting out of control in one area of the island , close to popular tourist destination Montego Bay and he wanted it to stop. Understandable we need to take back the streets from Gangs who think they run things here. So he sent in every force he had to combat this, a media release was sent out to keep tourists from ending up in places where they might find trouble, at this moment I remind everyone that there are places to find trouble everywhere in the world, even in my previous small community in Canada their was places you don't go after dark. As a local you know these places, but as a tourist you do not. They simply advised you to stay on the resort to ensure this didn't happen. Most people who come to an all inclusive in Jamaica stay on the resort? You book excursions through the hotel and go have some fun and return to hotel, there are some tourists who head out to the shops - these are NOT the problem areas. The problem is when tourists venture out on their own and the opportunity to get lost and end up in the wrong place at the wrong time presents itself, this is what they wanted to avoid.
Speaking from experience. I have been to Montego Bay the popular tourist destination that is close by the troubled area, I have been there before, and during the State of Emergency, did I notice anything no, did I travel off the resort, yes, did I see anything to be alarmed about?
NO, why? because I went no where near the troubled area, there was a stronger police presence we went through check stops where armed officers ask you a couple questions and continued on. Will I go back to Montego Bay, definitely, it is now one of the safest places as the crime has been dealt with and it is being constantly watched.
So why all the fuss? Jamaica wants to improve!!! Jamaica wants to put these criminals in their place and keep both the citizens and the tourists of this country safe! The police need to do their job, they are their to serve and protect, just like any other place in the world, this was only a temporary measure to take things down a notch - the State of Emergency has already been renamed and the majority of the reasons they called it in the first place have been captured and dealt with.
Jamaica is a large beautiful place, is it dangerous, like anywhere, it can be. There is crime here, and bad things could happen, but even where you live there is crime and bad things happen we hear about it every day.
So should you stay away from Jamaica? if you are coming here to enjoy the beauty and the weather and the sand and the sea, definitely not. Especially if you are considering coming to visit me, you are safe.
If you are coming here to look for trouble, are involved in criminal activities, looking for drugs and guns, then please stay away, we have enough trouble with locals we do not need to import trouble.
Come to Jamaica and feel alright...
I havnt being back in years although visited only once briefly just to see my father before he died. I was scared to return there when I lost my brother back in the 70s through a violent crime. He was visiting Kingston from Christians snd was studying to be a Teacher and photographer. At that time of my life here in England I was just a teenager and hated Jamaica and still reluctant.
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