Jamaica has always had high crime rates, due largely to political corruption, organized crime and poverty - this is far from anything new. The country has a murder rate that's one of the highest in the world.
If you have concerns about your personal safety then you should check out the local criminal laws to find out if you can carry any kind of non-lethal weapons such as electric shock devices, pepper spray, etc.).
Carrying any kind of lethal weapon, especially concealed, in most countries is a serious criminal offense and can result in time behind bars (and we're not talking about the ones on the windows at home). Also remember when one carries any kind of lethal weapon it increases their own chances of being killed. Once a lethal weapon comes into play it becomes a fight to the death between the victim and criminal in most cases. If the victim isn't emotionally prepared or physically strong enough to kill or at least subdue the criminal chances are the weapon is going to get taken off them and used against them. So, if you pull a knife or gun you're just as likely to get stabbed or shot to death as not!
In most high-crime countries the best way to avoid becoming a victim is to use common sense, avoid putting yourself into situations where you are an easy target and certainly don't make yourself an easy target by doing stupid things like wearing flashy jewelry, counting a wad of money in public, steer clear of the criminal elements in society and drug users who are high-risk individuals and thus make you a high-risk individual too while you're with them. Far too many innocent people are injured or die simply because they're in the wrong place, at the wrong time and with the WRONG people, so don't be one of them.
Just remember that the most powerful weapon against becoming the victim of crime is always COMMON SENSE.
Cheers,
William James Woodward, EB Experts Team
