I don't want to be alarmist but there's an article at MSNBC about increasing violence in the Caribbean and the effect it is having on the tourism business. If you want to read it, fine, if you don't, don't. But don't shoot the messenger. <BR><BR>http://www.msnbc.com/news/827625.asp?0si=-<BR><BR>

The picture at the beginning of this article captures Jamaica EXACTLY as it is.<BR><BR>Man, that place is a hole.

Gee, Tom, thanks for providing that link. What a great report that was. <BR>A mile wide and an inch deep. Not once delving into the issues which cause the crimes. The writer doesn't provide statistics, becasue the contries &quot;don't readily make the figures available&quot; but not hesitating for a second to provide &quot;anecdotal evidence&quot; ---much like the 'a friend said his brother's cousin was approached by someone who looked violent when they left their hotel, so they ran back inside and now I'll never go to that island, it's a pit' evidence we get on this board.<BR>Well, Tom, you sure shed some light on this topic, with your helpful link.<BR><BR>And Jim, in the 15 times I've been to Jamaica, both north shore AND Kingston, I've never seen anything like what you say 'captures Jamaica EXACTLY as it is.'<BR>Of course, where you live there is no Neighborhood Watch to help make your street more safe and secure for your family, right? No run down houses because the people who live there got layed off from their job and can't make mortgage payments, can't pay to paint the house. Nothing like that where you are.<BR><BR>When I see that Jamaica picture, my heart goes out to those poor people who are desparately trying to lead a normal life, free from want, hunger, fear. All the things Roosevelt said were important for the US 60 years ago.<BR>Of course, the US has all the naural resources and wealth to support all its inhabitants. Even those people in Appalachia who still don't have indoor plumbing.<BR>And those people in Houston who found a way to steal millions and millions of dollars from the pockets of the rest of us.<BR>I'm so happy for you, Jim, that you live in a perfect world and are able to sleep peacefully at night, unconcerned about all the shildren going to bed hungry in Jamaica.

Wow!!<BR>I wasn't aware things were that bad.<BR>I was tentatively planning to go to Jamaica for the first time next spring.<BR>I think I'll pass, thank you.<BR>Thanks for the info Tom.

A Big THANK YOU, Tom, for the posting. As I always say--go to HAWAII instead (or ONLY to Grand Cayman or St. Barts in the Caribbean)!!

I agree that the article was balanced in that it did discuss primary reasons why. Even if it didn't, I think we all could figure it out. While it probably is not be enough to deter me from visiting the Caribbean again, it's still good, interesting reading and I believe it to be honest reporting. Thanks for the link Tim.

Heinz, thanks for passing along the info (however brief and &quot;shallow&quot; it may be). People, use common sense. How many times have you heard someone refer to various resort locations as being &quot;great...as long as you stay at the resort&quot;? To deny the presence of evil is to bury your head in the sand....no pun intended. There are places in my own city I sure as hell wouldn't go day or night. As previous posters have noted, information and news throughout the islands is sketchy and unreliable. Those traveling to areas where crime is a problem should know about it. Most people visiting this site are not travel-savy sophisticates or deep-thinking philosophical social commentarians. They are people like me, interested in the &quot;word of mouth&quot; reviews and plain spoken thoughts on various travel destinations. Lofty pontifications regarding the plight of the indigenous peoples is better left to academic social arenas. As for the rest of us, we appreciate the warning or &quot;heads up&quot;. As for the political comments, subscribe to The New Republic and keep such where it belongs.