British and Canadian tourists vacationing in Jamaica’s Montego Bay resort area have been warned to stay in their resorts while the military carries out a crackdown on violent crime.
The UK Foreign Office warned vacationers that ‘intensive law enforcement activities’ were expected in St James Parish after a state of emergency was declared there on Thursday.
The Office, also known as the FCO, has said holidaymakers should limit their movements outside their resorts in the area, especially if traveling at night. Travelers arriving and departing were also urged to only use transport booked through their hotels.
British and Canadian authorities have warned nationals vacationing in Montego Bay, Jamaica to not venture outside of their resorts. The Jamaican government has declared a state of emergency in St James Parish. Pictured is Sandals Montego Bay, a resort
The parish has seen an increase in murderous gang-related activity and the national government has sent in soldiers as part of a crackdown on violent crime
Travel Canada issued a similar warning that reads in part: ‘If you are staying at a resort in the affected area, restrict your movements beyond resort security perimeters. If you do travel outside these perimeters, use transportation arranged or provided by the resort.’
Around 200,000 Britons visit Jamaica each year, with many drawn to Montego Bay by its luxury resorts and white sandy beaches.
However, the surrounding parish has seen a surge in gang-related killing and violence, according to authorities.
Jamaica Constabulary Force Police Commissioner George Quallo told the Jamaica Information Service that 335 murders were recorded in St James Parish in 2017, almost double other parishes, with ‘numerous gangs’ operating in the area.
The parish has a population of 185,000, per JIS.
Major General Rocky Meade, Chief of Defense Staff of the Jamaican Defense Force, told the JIS: ‘All citizens of Jamaica, including the violence producers, can feel safe in the hands of the military, as long as you are not threatening the troops.
‘We are ensuring that we enforce the rule of law, that we disrupt gang activities, and the particular focus is on those that are responsible for murders, lotto scamming, trafficking of arms and guns, and extortion.’
The U.S. has not issued such a warning. As of January 10, its authorities advised tourists to ‘exercise increased caution’ in areas of Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town. Pictured is an aerial view of Montego Bay
The year 2017 saw 335 murders in St James Parish, which has a population of 185,000
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that the crackdown was being undertaken with the support of local tourism industry.
‘Several stakeholders, including those in the tourism industry, have written to me to say that they would support the necessary actions to bring the parish of St James under control and restore public safety,’ he said.
Per CNN, he added: ‘The declaration of a State of Public Emergency does not mean the suspension of the rule of law. The security forces are expected and have been directed to treat citizens with respect and protect the dignity and safety of all.’
Mr Holness said the government had been planning the operation ‘for some time’.
The United States has not issued an advisory about Jamaica, but its government shut down in the early hours of Saturday, which could have an adverse effect on the goings on of the State Department.
As of January 10, Jamaica has a ‘Level 2’ rating on the U.S. travel advisory, meaning that travelers should ‘exercise increased caution’ in areas of Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town.
The Jamaican government has urged civilians to release any and all information pertaining to criminal activity in the area.