Mr. Ol’ Broad was listening to Jamaica talk radio this afternoon and heard that there had been over 100 murders on the island since the beginning of the year. It’s only 25 days into the year! And Milwaukee thinks it’s got an out of control murder rate? There are only about 3.5 million people on the island. At that rate, there won’t be anyone left by the end of the century. :/ So, being the nosy person I am, I searched for some info and found more than I wanted to know.
Jamaica boosts security after killings
Five men were shot to death – one of them also beheaded – in the inner-city section of Flower Hill, north of Montego Bay, while three others were wounded in another attack in the city’s southern section of Mount Salem between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, police said.
Beheaded? Either radical Muslims are lose, or there are few unhappy drug dealers taking over. Since tourism is a major business here, I’d suggest someone get a handle on things.
Police cordoned off sections of the city on Thursday in search of bandits and guns, and 45 special policemen from a unit called the Mobile Reserve in the capital, Kingston, were dispatched to the area, a police spokesman said.
I seriously doubt anyone here in this resort has a clue this is going on.
Soldiers based in Montego Bay were put on alert but ordered not go out on patrol so as not to stir panic among tourists.
Ummmm…..too late. I know of one tourist who’s not real happy. Hopefully, things will settle down by the time we fly out of Montego Bay next Tuesday.
There have been 27 murders in the Montego Bay area since the start of the year out of 107 murders countrywide for January.
It’s a shame such a beautiful place is so violent. We might have to rethink coming here again.
The birthplace of reggae, Jamaica is a major producer of marijuana and also a significant transit route for Colombian cocaine, making it vulnerable to drug-related violence. Violent gangs, which control sprawling slums, have also traditionally been affiliated with Jamaican political parties.
The difference between the haves and have nots is quite apparent. There is no welfare system here to speak of, we were told “Here, if you don’t work, or you don’t eat”.
I live near Black River, St Elizabeth, on the South Coast which is almost crime free Most Jamaicans are very honest and concern about a visitors safety. My advise is to stay away from the big cities and resort areas which attract criminals.
Comment by Fred Ricard — March 17, 2007 @ 9:00
We love Jamaica and will definitely be going back at some point in the future. We do try to go to areas that are more sparsely populated. Thanks for the advice.
Comment by olbroad — March 17, 2007 @ 9:25