I didn’t make it back to my sweet Jamaica this season. I had my flight booked, my favourite room waiting for me, but it just didn’t work out.

West End Negril is were I reside when I’m here. And, from what I hear, it was probably a good thing I wasn’t there. A murder took place just up the road, right beside my favourite place to hang during a relaxing evening or for having fun with old friends and new friends alike.

That could have been me sitting in a small, quaint Jamaican bar sipping on a rum and coke, all while shots were being fired. True enough, though, that could happen anywhere.

But I could have also been out visiting my Italian stallion friend, walking back home, making it an early night. After all, it was only 11:00 pm that the people were robbed by two men on a motorcycle. They took their belongings; not to mention stripping them of any secure feelings. It has been his visiting neighbourhood for years. True enough, though, that could happen anywhere.

But I could have also been out visiting my Italian stallion friend, walking back home, making it an early night. After all, it was only 11:00 pm that the people were robbed by two men on a motorcycle. They took their belongings; not to mention stripping them of any secure feelings. It has been his visiting neighbourhood for years. True enough, though, that could happen anywhere.

A long-term visitor, with family, staying in the same area, had her apartment broken into and was smothered by a pillow to keep her quiet, while they robbed and looted the place she calls home. True enough, though, that could happen anywhere. Three hours she waited for police to respond. They had the address.

I could keep moving up the West End road giving instances that I am very glad not to have encountered. I had friends there just finishing up their vacation. They were more than ready to come back to their homeland with everything that has been going on. I’m ready for my next vacation.

After missing paradise for one season, I am ready to come back! I don’t just come there for a simple week, staying in the American-owned AI’s. No, I stay for weeks in the heartland of the Jamaican community. Why? Because I have friends there; great Jamaican friends, American friends, Canadian friends, Italian friends, European friends! Tourists visiting a place they have loved for 25+ years, nor any Jamaican resident should not have to be afraid to go to sleep at night because the hoodlums seemed to have moved into the Negril area. It wasn’t like this a few years ago. And these stories have all taken place within a two-month span. It is heart-rending to think that our little town of Negril, that relies on visiting tourists like myself, doesn’t seem to have the manpower to get this under control. Bring back the red caps, an appearance of any form of authority is better than none. People are running around scared.

I am asking the mayor of Negril, the police department of Negril, the minister of tourism, the prime minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller, to please look into this matter. Please get this madness under control so that myself, all my visiting friends from around the world, and my Jamaican family can walk good once again.

Audrey Wright resides in Chicago, Illinois. Comments: odd1908@hotmail.com