More than 80 per cent of Jamaicans polled say they feel safe here and would definitely encourage friends or relatives living overseas to visit the island.

Those are the findings of a Jamaica Observer-commissioned poll conducted by veteran researcher Bill Johnson last month.

The heavy vote of confidence in the country comes amidst concerns about security, especially among Jamaicans who have returned home after living overseas for years.

Last July, the foreign ministry announced that it was setting up a task force to address the safety and security concerns of Jamaicans who have returned home to live, work, and conduct business.

The development came after an upsurge in crimes against some members of that demographic, which sparked furious debate, including on social media.

A total of 1,008 Jamaicans islandwide were questioned by Johnson’s team of researchers between January 21 and 24, 2019. The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus three per cent.

When the pollsters asked people to say if they felt safe in the area where they live, 84 per cent of respondents said they felt safe, 15 per cent said they did not, while one per cent said they don’t know.

Asked to state if they felt safe or not while away from home, 60 per cent said they felt safe, 36 per cent said no, while four per cent responded “don’t know”.

In response to the pollsters’ question as to whether, given the crime situation, they would recommend that a friend or relative visit Jamaica, 84 per cent of respondents said they would, 12 per cent said they would not, and four per cent replied “don’t know”.

Question: Generally speaking, do you feel safe in the area that you live in, or do you not feel safe in your area?”

Feel Safe 84%

Do Not Feel Safe 15%

Don’t Know 1%

Question: How about when you leave your home to go out to work, or to go shopping, or to run errands, generally speaking, do you feel safe then, or do you not feel safe?

Feel Safe 60%

Do Not Feel Safe 36%

Don’t Know 4%

Question: From what you know about the crime situation in Jamaica, would you recommend that a friend or relative of yours from overseas come to Jamaica for a vacation, or would you tell your friend or relative not to come to Jamaica at this time because of the crime?

Recommend that a Friend Come 84%

Tell a Friend Not to Come 12%

Don’t Know 4%

TOMORROW: What percentage of police officers do Jamaicans feel are corrupt?