The United States (US) Department of Justice has disclosed that sexual assaults are a frequent occurrence in Jamaica, including at all-inclusive resorts locally.
The damning assertion was made in US Department of Justice’s Jamaica Travel Advisory published on Tuesday.
“Sexaul assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts,” the US Justice Department claimed.
Americans have also been urged to avoid travel to eight parishes in Jamaica as a result of rising incidents of crime and violence.The State Department has advised citizens to avoid St James, Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston and St. Andrew, St Ann, St Catherine and Westmoreland.
Several towns in these parishes have also been listed as areas where tourists should avoid.
The advisory notes that local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
It says violent crimes such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults and homicides are common.
Below is the lightly edited advisory by the US State Department.
Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to:
The below-listed areas of Clarendon Parish due to crime.
The below-listed areas of Hanover Parish due to crime.
The below-listed areas of Kingston and St. Andrew Parish due to crime.
The below-listed areas of Montego Bay due to crime.
The below-listed areas of St. Ann Parish due to crime.
The below-listed areas of St. Catherine Parish due to crime.
The below-listed areas of St. James Parish due to crime.
The below-listed area of Westmoreland Parish due to crime.
Country Summary: Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
Emergency services vary throughout the island, and response times may vary from U.S. standards.
The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to areas listed below, from using public buses, and from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Jamaica has a high level of COVID-19. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. If you decide to travel to Jamaica:
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before planning any international travel, and read the Embassy COVID-19 page for country-specific COVID-19 information.
Avoid walking or driving at night.
Avoid public buses.
Avoid secluded places or situations.
Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Areas of Clarendon Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Clarendon Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:
All of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.
Areas of Hanover Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Hanover Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:
Logwood and Orange Bay
Areas of Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Kingston. Do not travel to the following areas:
Cassava Piece
Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
Duhaney Park
Grants Pen
Standpipe
Swallowfield
Elleston FlatsAugust Town
Areas of Montego Bay – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Montego Bay. Do not travel to the following areas:
Canterbury
Flankers
Glendevon
Mount Salem
Norwood
Paradise Heights
Rose Heights
Areas of St. Ann Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of St. Ann Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:
Steer Town
Areas of St. Catherine Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of St. Catherine Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:
Spanish Town
Central Village
Certain areas within Portmore to include: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, and Waterford.
Areas of St. James Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of St. James Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:
Cambridge
Springmount
Johns Hall
Areas of Westmoreland Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Westmoreland Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:
Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road)
The Whitehall neighborhood of east Negril.
