Is it true that Jamaica is such a dangerous country ?

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stingjam

Where incidents of crime occur in Jamaica it is NOT worst than in the USA. What happens is this:

Guns turn on and people die.

Now i don't need to explain that this phenomenon is not unique to Jamaica. What i DO need to explain is this:

1. Statistics will lie. You can find many 'textbook' ways to prove that jamaica is 'crime riddled' because we are a small and 'poor' island, with a complex social structure. Its like having ALL of diversity of New York State (urban & suburban) crammed into an area that is about the size of new york city. Then add the fact that many are poorer. Add more farms of all types and sizes. Add hurricanes, floods and landslides. Add 3 million people who are MOSTLY (90%) good people.

The point is that its hard to compare Jamaica with MOST other places that you would come across in the world.

2. Most serious crime/violence is 'internal' in Jamaica. It doesn't generally affect or target tourists.

3. The 'mafia-type' gangs in jamaica frown upon such things. Tourism is legitimate 'bread & butter' for so many people around them (mothers, aunts and cousins, policitians) that they just don't think attacking tourists is good for business in Jamaica. To be frank, gangs here are more into hustling weed, stolen cars and lottery scams.

4. YOU ARE ALMOST A RESIDENT...NOT A TOURIST. This is the serious part of my advice. Once you begin to come here regularly, venture into the deeper culture and integrate more, you WILL have to become aware of the dangers that lurk. Your boyfriend is probably right!

I dont think this risk is unique to a tourist-turned-local in Jamaica. Any place that has problems with 'socially deviant behaviour' or 'socio-economic disparity', could pose the same risks. Detroit, Chicago, New York, L.A., or almost any major city in the USA is the same. If you stray you could get hurt. If you appear privilaged, naive and/or vulnerable to those who would consider harming you, you could get hurt.

The trick in all these places is learning to understand the social rules, signs and cues.

If you come here as a tourist, you dont need to know the rules at ALL (unless your are 'funny'). This is why so many tourists visit Jamaica and don't see the crime that people talk about.

For the international news, its hard for them to comprehend all of these realities safely co-existing in such a small island. You could have a riot in a rural area around Montego Bay and it would pose NO risk to Tourists at Sandals Montego Bay!

Now, I would NOT say that "crime is just as bad as in the U.S.A.". What I would say is that the difference between statistics and reality is huge when you only have one life.

Statistics alone are not the best tools to help enjoy life.

Edit:
Lexdiamonds answer below has the biggest pile of crap i have ever seen ANYONE write on Y!A about Jamaica. Jamaica is NOT apartheid South Africa. Its NOT run by white people and has not been since the 1960s. There is no widespread hatred of white people. If i decide to walk down the road to Bembe (at 12:00am) i am not going to be pounced upon by layers of gunmen. In fact i will probably be stopped by cops telling me that walking alone at night isnt safe....just as cops would do in SO MANY OTHER CITIES IN THE WORLD. Lexdiamond's answer makes it obvious that he/she has NEVER spent good time in Jamaica and is not qualified to speak on its realities.

look behind u

Everyone has their own experiences, and clearly you have good ones...jamaicans do love white people and that can be seen when you said they treat you nice..., the media is a terrible thing (esp. the USA), and the media tells they people want they want to hear and believe; that is why many people who have never been to jamaica says it is a dangerous place because they cant think for themselves; it is not as dangerous as New York or any other place that you mentioned or to believe.
Generally, there are many happy hard working people in Jamaica, like my self.

Proud Jamaicanâ™¥

crashon2001

It depends where you go in Jamaica. Times are hard, some people will do anything to eat. You can't go walking around certain neighborhoods in New York either.

Sherry B

As with any country, you can make yourself safer by being careful where and when you are walking around in Jamaica. Unfortunately, because of the increased poverty and drug trafficking, you would be very wise to never travel alone. I agree with you in that most Jamaicans are friendly, but like anywhere, there are bad people. And they don't have the law enforcement numbers to restrict the amount of crime, that we have in the U.S. They have a short supply of police and an incresed amount of crime. So, listen to your boyfriend and be careful.

Linda B

I am puzzled as to why people are telling you that you would be in grave danger there? have you heard on any news reports anywhere about a tourist of any color was harmed or killed recently in Jamaica? Of course you have to be cautious that goes for anywhere (even say Branson Mo.) When I was there I was in no way ever felt threatened. and I was downtown Kingston (where the huge bus terminal is) at 5pm .It seems to me that Jamaicans go out of there way to protect(watch over) white tourists. I am white My boyfriend is Jamiacan his freinds and family accept me as part of his family, and would never let harm come to any one who visits their paradise. I would think that crime is much worse here in the states.

mixedcurlyfries

Jamaica is a country full of many different races but there all Jamaican. There are White Jamaicans. Jamaicans come in all different types of skin colors and races. Of course Jamaicans love white people ! Every country is dangerous. It depends on where your at. America is dangerous also. Don't let anyone tell you different. The crime is just as bad.

Jamaican_dancer_Reiki

am Jamaican and Jamaica is dangerous it depends wich part you go because we have 14 parish u should go montego bay ocho rios port antontio but america is more dangerous then we but u will love our culture music people food

H.P.I.C.

I went on the Dunn's River Falls tour and when we were finished climbing up the waterfall my group had to witness a murder. These two Jamaican's were fighting with machettis, stabbing each other like crazy, all over $3 american dollars. If something can happen like that on a tourist event anything is possible.
If you think about it Jamaica is a very poor country and that makes people do desperate things for money.
I've been there three times myself and that was my worst encounter.
I also left the resort with one of the bartenders from my hotel(a good friend) and although I was scared, nothing bad happened to me.
It's hit or miss I guess.

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