Can we start a discussion about crime in the island (How severe, how frequent, how widespread, etc. and what is being done to deter crimes)

I am sadden by the increase level of crimes on the island of JAMAICA. Not only has the level of crime increased but they have become brazen and more deadly. I recently got back from the island, and the short period of time I was there someone I had saw one early morning literally got his brain blown out in a robbery.How sad... My beautiful Jamaica is not gowing for the better if things doesn't change fast. Another thing that sadden me is the news of the increase level of illegal guns coming in the island. Please wake up citizens of Jamaica, don't let the criminals keep you hostage in your own country- report anyone you know even if it's your child dealing with illegal weapons in the country.
My trip reminder me of a trip I once took to a Mexico city and at ever corner there was an arm soldier to protect the tourist. I saw bits of this scene on the island.. Jamaica was never like this and this is not the direction I would like to see the country go. Jamaica is much better than this. Please! citizens of Jamaica I urge you and encourage you to stand up and fight the good fight for your beautiful island.

you mean (can't spell jamaican) not concerned

Jamerican is a typical name given to a Jamaican living in America and/or an American living in Jamaica. I've been called a Jamerican many a time.

Should we be more concern that some one did not mention Jamaican or Jamerican? I think the level of crimes in the island should be more of a concern?

she is is correct it's Jamerican the person is half jamaican and half american.The concerned is correct.

The issue is on crime and some people are worried about spelling???
Anyway, I agree that crime in Jamaica is high, however there are many other countries where I have heard the crime is even getting worse, for example Trinidad. Not only is Trinidad dealing with their murder rates increasing but they have to also worry about their kids being kidnapped for ransom. I guess people talk about the crime in JA so much due to it being a popular tourist location loved by all of the world. In my honest opinion, I think crimes are being committed more becuase the gov't just gives them a slap on the wrist, I gurantee if the death penalty was put into play, that would be a whole different story....than you would probably see the decrease in the crime rate...

I thought the country you came from is usually mentioned first for example, AfricanAmerican, ItalianAmerican or JaAmerican. I have never heard of an American being called JaAmerican because he lives in Jamaica. Pardon my ignorance.

I have always loved Jamaica more than any other place in the world. I built a lovely home there and want to return home for good. Unfortunately, due to the recent rash of crimes, I'm scared out of my pants. Can someone please assure me that my fears are unfounded.

I'm curious how visitors/tourists to Treasure Beach feel about their safety when they're there. Its my opinion that most feel (and are) very safe. I certainly do.

For those of you who have been visiting for years, or just once or twice, what has your experience been? Would you go back?

I have been away from TB for many years and still feel safe whenever I visit. Come on dung everybody and have fun. The people dem nice and friendly and you have nothing to worry about. For sure I am looking forward to my retirement right down there in TB.

I am from a smaller capital city in Australia and the crime rate is high here also.
Thankfully, our police do a very good job and do catch many perpetrators quickly.
Also, Australian gun licencing laws are much stricter than in the U.S.
Does Jamaica have a coast watch, fisheries or navy to patrol and check incoming boats for guns?

We have been coming down to Jamaica for 25 years and have stayed in both Negril and Treasure Beach. We have traveled the island by public and private transportation and walked the roads day and night. We have negotiated the markets in Sav and Black River and have been in the "hood" in Negril. We have never felt that it was any more dangerous than anywhere else only because we use the same street smarts that one would use anywhere in the world. New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Detroit, etc. scare me far more than anywhere in Jamaica (except Kingston, maybe). We are not naive about the crime and do know it exists but I can assure you that unless you are part of the crime problem you will not have a crime problem if you just use some common sense. DON'T MAKE YOURSELF A TARGET.

IT IS SAFE TO VISIT AND ENJOY JAMAICA AND THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.

I have also felt very safe in TB. Much safer than I do here in FL.

Definately i would go back,the world is miserable not only Jamaica. Yes it is sad that our lovely little paradise has turn out to the way it is but it is every where. I lives in Dorchester and its no better than downtown Kingston.the only thing i would worry about is the medical situation.The bible says if we run from the fam in we are going to runin the sword.

I always feel the easiest thing is to identify a problem. The challenge comes in trying to solve it. Yes, crime is in Jamaica, no new news there.

Now for the challenge - how do we bring down the crime rate?

I had dinner with a few friends the other night and one friend brought up a very interesting view on tourism in Treasure Beach and worldwide. His view was tourism was most successful anywhere when there was another industry present which was as successful or more successful than tourism. That would surely describe fishng and tourism within Treasure Beach. However, with the fishing industry no longer as strong as it once was and no hope of it being revitalized (as this is true worldwide), I think our greatest challenge in TB is to find an alternative industry which would employ persons of all backgrounds. I hear everyday of highly educated persons from the community who would love to stay in TB, but must move to the cities or abroad because there is no work for them here.

So what are some ideas of types of industries which could be successful in TB in addition to tourism?

My firm belief is the lower the unemployment rate - the lower the crime rate.

The majority of flowers sold in US and Canada are imported from growers in South America/flown in; there are a few specialty growers (anthurium, for one) in Jamaica. One specialty flower, both in
demand by the floral industry and the fragrance/
perfume industry is TUBEROSES, grown from bulbs/corms that prefer conditions like tb, even the heat/dry conditions and soil/marl. Haiti used to be a major grower/exporter, but with Haiti's problems, the tuberose growers are gone (I used to know some and their businesses were quite profitable). Might be something for the new organic test farm efforts to test out for growth;then link up with exporters already on island...

What a provocative thread. I am pleased to read all the positive thought coming in on such a serious consideration. Tivertonhouse ... No matter the issue, your responses are absolutely brilliant!

Rebecca, I like your possitive thinking.
Has anyone tried producing Noni juice from the
tropical fruit Morinda citrifolia Linn
I believe this grows in Jamaica.
I use this food in the commercially available Noni Juice and I find it is beneficial.
Lots of information is available if you want to search online.
Perhaps this could be an industry worth building in Jamaica?

My parents have been bringing me to Jamaica since I was 2, I am now 31..We started in Negril when it was just a sleeply little town, as it grew, we moved on to visit other areas. (Lucea, green island, etc) 10 years ago my parents stumbled upon Treasure Beach, they immediatly felt at home, My husband and I were married there 7 years ago, my 8 year old son just returned from his 9th trip to TB, and my 3 year old from his 3rd trip. When we were married, 50 of our friends and family traveled from the US to TB, many were nervous about the crime & the things they had heard about Jamaica. We sent home a huge group of people who experienced something they never had, and they loved it! I live here in a small Oregon town, we visit TB at least once a year & sometimes more. I know that Jamaica has crime, most places in the world do. I use my brain, I don't compramise my family or my own safty wherever I am in the world. My motto is be kind, smile, greet people, be respectful of the people & the land, It works for me. My children love Jamaica, I feel they are no less safe there than at home..The kindness that my family and my children receive in TB is amazing. It truly warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes when I see how comfortable my kids are in a small town so far and so different from our own. Please know that I also realize I am only a visitor to TB and I am aware that living in Jamaica and visiting Jamaica are not close to the same. Much love and much respect to all those who have allowed us such an amazing life experience.

@ aussigirl
check this:
www.jamaicanoni.com

Two excellent previous recommendations. I have also heard of an entire Mexican town turned around to be very successful when they became famous for producing quality pottery. I believe it took an initial catalyst of a professional potter coming to train and possibly some donated kilns etc.

It is going to be hard to stop the crime in our beautiful country, the police officer that should keep us safe are committing more crime than the civilian, this is where we have a problem stopping the crime in our beautiful country.

Thanks for this link to Glenleigh production of Noni. I know now where to get it when I am in Jamaica.

It's Fortunate and then undortunate how some are asking for new employment avenues for JA(St Bess). The minute soemeone suggest something they get bashed by board fearing "change" will come to their little corner of the world. To prove the point I will start a new topic called "New industry for Jamaica(St Bess)" and sit back and watch it degrade.

With all the natural ponds in the area and all the expertise on fish, why not start a fish farm? This is one of the fastest growing industries in the world.

The market for tilapia is over-saturated in Jamaica (Clarendon is/was a big tilapia pond commercial grower area) and the leading island and export REGGAE JAMMIN' brands have been hard-pressed for some time to compete against
lower labor/feed costs than say, Costa Rica or
China, the latter which has flooded the market.
If salt pan areas available and clean water/tested processing, Jamaican Sea Salt, IF
good quality, is a good prospect for aniche market seller in a market which is hungry for the flake-style English Maldon salt and French fleur de sel, Canadian, black mineral Balinese and pink mineral Hawaiian colored premium price sea salts.

Being in the media and creative industries and having visited Treasure beach twice.
The only ideas that i can come up with for Treasure beach are ones of Artist Retreats offering mentoring and workshop programs.Specialist writing retreats that attract pre or post novelists, artist retreats for painters,photographers or sculptors,and even Music Retreats for musicians and bands to record.
These programs can be attached to previous guest houses etc and will not only bring in extra income to all you owner/operators, set a artistic and environmental vibe for the community, but also co-inside with the literary festival and perhaps other festivals for the area. A start at the very least.

Many co-ordinators of retreats/workshops -- corporate, literary, the arts and others -- already book into TB villas. The Abyssinian Development Corporation of Harlem, for example, comes annually. The New England Seacoast Holistic Health Association plans its first retreat in TB this coming fall.

Great then, it seems that the area of Artist retreats is on the go! I can't see the harm in promoting and setting up more, can you tivertonhouse? It is up to the community and villa owners I guess. I believe the community will need little projects like these as well as bigger ones to sustain Treasure Beach. Good luck.

This was just emailed to me and I thought it interesting as another alternative crop as castor beans grow wild around here.

Dear Fellow Jamaicans,

The past five years have provided me with a keen insight of the seemingly obvious issues affecting Jamaica's socio-economic well being. Many will suggest that five years is not enough to develop a careful study, or an understanding of the sociological context of our problems ­ that they may be deeply rooted in our historical and cultural background. However, we should not be bound by history or culture, especially in this state of heightened awareness of our reality

For those of you not familiar with me, please allow me to introduce myself. Many years ago, in an attempt to develop a cohesive approach to effecting changes in Jamaica, I became associated with a several Jamaican-focused organizations within the U.S. In doing so, I had the privilege of collaborating on several philanthropic initiatives throughout rural Jamaica. To date, I maintain a correspondence with over 32,000 Jamaicans living around the globe.

Sharing a focus of energizing Jamaica with educational and economic opportunities, many of you have made commitments and pledged to work towards this common purpose. However, the overwhelming consensus was, and still is, your repeated inquires concerning a plan of action. So in consideration of all the factors that have brought us to this point, I am now asking you to join me and all the others committed to this goal.

In the next couple of months, I shall propose an investor-funded venture that outlines my plans for achieving this. At that time, I will once again ask for your continued support towards this initiative. The following is a synopsis of the plan which will be submitted to you in the near future.

Jamaica ripe for bio-fuel:


Jamaica has a dense rural geography which has traditionally been utilized for farming and rearing livestock. However over the past two decades, Jamaican's vast urban drift have crippled most of the nation's rural agricultural communities, giving rise to import-dependency and praedial larceny - an act that plagues existing Jamaican farmers, leaving them with little production capacity.

In view of this and other local factors, I would like to focus on a bio-fuel venture, which not only re-invigorate rural farming communities, but one which emphasize the importance of agriculture as a viable component for achieving sustainable development. This venture will more than incorporate the use of agro-processing technology; it will facilitate personal development through education and training. More significantly, it will create jobs and provide a resource, vital to the overall sustainability and development of the country.

Like many developing nations, Jamaica's energy sector has a crucial role to play towards the country's continued development. However, the increasing energy consumption patterns by import-dependent Jamaica may actually prove to be a barrier to development. The impacts of this are widespread and appear to hinder development in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction. Furthermore, Jamaica has no proven fossil fuel reserves, and is almost completely dependent on fully-imported diesel fuel for electricity production and other power applications.

This situation has serious implications for a country like Jamaica with limited reserves of foreign currencies and no reserve supplies of fossil fuels to insulate the nation from price shocks. Consequently Jamaicans face some of the highest energy prices in the world and an insecure supply. Last year alone the country had an oil bill of US$1.6 billion.

A bio-fuel venture and the impact of cultivating a fuel crop may offer a solution to some of these issues by providing a substitute for diesel fuel that can be manufactured locally for a lower price, and independent of the international oil price. The local production and use of bio-fuel also offers other benefits such as improved energy security, rural development opportunities and environmental benefits.

Bio-fuel from the castor oil plant:

Of the several fuel crops considered, the Castor oil plant (ricinus communis) appears to be a particularly suitable source of bio-fuel as it already grows commonly in Jamaica. Moreover, the Castor oil plant has been widely accepted as an agricultural solution for all subtropical and tropical locations that addresses the need for commercial crops with low impute costs and at the same time provides traditional farming with a viable income from current non productive lands:

• Castor oil plant does not compete with food crops, can be grown on marginal lands, which are not competitive with food production lands.


• Castor oil plant is not competing with food grade oils.


• Its toxicity is sensed by animals and therefore not foraged on.


• It is high yielding, when no maintenance is applied to the crop, to a high end yield where annual rainfalls happen at the right times.

• It has a very high oil content of approximately 50%.


• The oil seed is collected by hand, by picking the ripe pods from the plant.


• It requires only moderate rainfall and can withstand long periods of drought, but will thrive under higher rainfall.


• It is an uncomplicated crop that requires little attention during its growing periods.


• Due to its low demand on soil fertility, it is ideal to replant marginal lands to prevent erosion.

Given the similar geographical, climatic and lack of rural employment opportunities, growing a crop for renewable energy provides the answer for long term prosperity. It is generally accepted that no matter how much oil seed is produced, there will not be an over supply for many decades to come.

In conjunction to growing the Castor oil plant, a number of additional business models will be developed to support the commercialization of the bio-fuel production. For example, a plantation model that encourages private farmers to produce the Castor oil plant on their own properties will be beneficial in respect to minimizing initial risk and maximizing community involvement and sustainable benefits.

In this model a central refinery would be operated by the investor-owned venture that buys the castor oil seeds from the farmers. The venture may also directly purchase land for establishing a plant nursery to ensure consistent supply and quality of the Castor oil seeds.

I am confident that local production of bio-fuel from the Castor oil plant in rural Jamaica will offer good potential benefits for investors, the economy, rural communities and the environment.


In the meantime should you require additional information on this planned bio-fuel initiative, please contact me.



Hansen von Shneir
305-218-2878

Submitted by Jamlink “in support of the things that matter”

This would be good for our environment, it would help to stop some of the pollution,and put a lot of our formers back to do what they love to do,and afford to take care of there family.I love this you have my blessing.

I think this is one of the best suggestion made on improving Jamaica,I really thing its a great idea, hope the right people will start the project going. I am from Treasure Beach, living in America , I love my homeland very much and I think this would be the best thing for our country, Keep up the good work Rebecca.

It's always good to see suggestions for providing benefits to rural economy, communities and envoronment. However, without wishing to sound negative, I think this article (see link below) illustrates that there are very serious pros and cons to be considered about bio-fuel production and its impact. It may not always be as beneficial as it seems.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2043462,00.html

When I post the link (above) it puts 2043462%2C00. at the front and I can't fix it (retried a few times). Hence the link doesn't work. Can anyone from TB Net please advise?

Ken, the problem is that the web site uses commas in the URL which are non-standard and cause the Forum to display the link strangely.

I've changed your post to show the address without making it a link. Users need to copy and paste it.

Thanks for sharing the story.

-TBNet

Dear Mr. von Shneir,

As you appear to be looking for investors, is there a business plan available to study? If so, how could it be obtained?

Sincerely,
Interested

The email address given for the castor oil article was jamlink@gmail.com.

Having read the research on Bio Fuels,

I believe that even though they are initially a good idea i think that Castor Oil plantations is not the best idea for treasure beach. Even Dr Suzuki has stated that "bio fuels require too much land use, for the quanity that is produced, and are and will be in transitional phase for many years to come" The production of bio fuels is already controlled by overseas Conglomerates who often not only pay low wages but rape the land and add more pollution.

I have listed the websites below including the original one stated by KEN (just add www. when copying and pasting into address bar)

guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2043462,00.html

http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk./

I highly recommend that every one on this Forum grab a DVD copy of LIFE & DEBT if they haven't already seen it. Its about Jamaicas IMF debt and econimics of the agricultural and the import n export trade.
http://www.lifeanddebt.org/

Lastly i really hope that the people of Treasure beach can incorporate the positive aspects of the area ie"the beautiful environment, community spirit, expats (out of many one people),non resort town, etc...into a sustainible future.

To start from what you already have, is a pretty good start I think!

Thanks TBNet but the address to the article I referred to above still acts like a (invalid) link.

Try this one:

http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk./

It has a link to the article I was referring to which is down the right hand side of the home page - "27/03/07: George Monbiot calls for biofuels ban and supports biofuelwatch".

The bio fuel watch website also has a lot of interesting stuff.

Thanks missktluv! I posted my last message before yours had actually appeared. I would endorse your recommendation of Life and Debt documentary too.

I feel heartened by the flow of ideas being shared on this thread. Could someone shed some light on the prospect of peat from the Black River morass as an alternate source of energy and the impact it would have on the ecology of the area. During the 1970's I heard quite a bit of talk about that. Bio-gas technology was also topical then; promoting the convertion of waste products from the farm and the home to generate energy. Are these ideas worth the while? Undoubtedly, energy is a critical factor in the Jamaican economy. The search for a local alternate source of energy is becoming more evident as the price of imported supplies skyrocket. South-western St.Elizabet can certainly play a leading role in the drive to find a meaningful local source of energy.

Has anyone heard of www.Kiva.org
or FINCA ( www.villagebanking.org )?
They give small loans to help start or improve small
business. Found the sites interesting. Just a thought.

I've used www.Kiva.org and have been impressed with it overall. In fact, I'm about to make another loan as a wedding gift to a friend who already has all the toasters and flatware they need.

Basically, you are giving small interest-free loans ($25 - $50 in my case) to people who want to start a small business. Your $25 is combined with others' until they total loan amount is reached.

You don't make any money, but you don't loose any either. They are loans, not gifts, which I think makes it more meaningful to those receiving it. The site claims a 100% payback rate (http://www.kiva.org/about/faq#Will_I_get_my_money_back). My 3 loans are being repaid.

I've concentrated mainly in Africa, but have also given to a couple groups in Eastern Europe. I know they're in South/Central America and Asia as well.

Is www.villagebanking.org the same deal?

Eric, That is good to know. I have just started learning about these organizations. Sound like a good idea.

The village banking is similar. I think they lend to more mothers to help them take care of their families.

Since 1984 they have worked in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Eurasia. As I find out more will let you know.

Isn't this what Jamaicans call 'pardner'?