Jamaica declares emergency; US, UK, Canada issue warnings

[DandyDon]

Make of it what you will but be advised. Some trip insurance policies have exclusions for civil disturbances...

Jamaica declares emergency as police clash with Kingston gangs - Telegraph

A police station in West Kingston, Jamaica, is pictured burning Photo: REUTERS​

A state of emergency has been declared in Kingston, Jamaica as police clashed with armed gangs protecting a drugs lord wanted in the United States.

The authorities ordered women and children to leave the Tivoli Gardens neighbourhood in the capital where a policeman and one civilian were wounded by gunfire in street clashes. Three police stations came under attack.

Police said that gunmen from various communities across the Caribbean country had joined forces with criminal elements in Tivoli Gardens in a bid to protect reputed gang leader, Christopher "Dudus" Coke.

"It is now clear that criminal elements are determined to launch coordinated attacks on the security forces," police warned in a statement.

With tensions soaring, they added, "all decent and law-abiding residents of Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town are been asked to leave those respective communities immediately".

Residents asked to leave were directed to buses which would take them to a safe location.

Bruce Golding, the prime minister, later promised a tough response to armed gangs fuelling unrest in the capital.

"The criminal element who have placed the society under siege will not be allowed to triumph," he said in an address to the nation.

Washington accuses Shower Posse members, under Coke's direction, of having sold marijuana and crack cocaine in New York and other parts of the United States, funnelling profits back to him.

But for some Kingston residents, Coke is more like a godfather.

Thousands marched through the city Thursday chanting, "Leave Dudus alone, leave Dudus alone."

Jamaica Travel Alert

May 21, 2010

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens about developing security concerns in Jamaica, particularly the Kingston area. The possibility exists for violence and/or civil unrest in the greater Kingston metropolitan area. There are unconfirmed reports of criminal gang members amassing in the Kingston area, as well as mobilization of Jamaican defense forces. If the situation ignites, there is a possibility of severe disruptions of movement within Kingston, including blocking of access roads to the Norman Manley International Airport. The possibility exists that unrest could spread beyond the general Kingston area. U.S. Embassy Kingston is taking extra security precautions. This Travel Alert expires on June 21, 2010.

U.S citizens should consider the risks associated with travel to and within the greater Kingston metropolitan area. U.S. citizens are urged always to practice good security, maintain a heightened situational awareness and a low profile. U.S. citizens in Jamaica are advised to monitor local news reports and consider the level of security present when venturing outside their residence or hotel.

U.S. citizens living and residing in Jamaica or the Cayman Islands are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State's automated online registration system, https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also register by visiting the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy or our consular agencies in Montego Bay and Georgetown, Cayman Islands, during business hours.

Emergencies involving American citizens can be reported by contacting the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at 142 Old Hope Road in the Liguanea area of Kingston, telephone (876) 702-6450; after hours emergency telephone (876) 702-6000; Consular Section fax (876) 702-6018; and e-mail at KingstonACS@state.gov. The U.S. Consular Agency in Montego Bay has moved and is now located at Whitter Village, Ironshore, telephone (876) 953-0620. The U.S. Consular Agency in the Cayman Islands is located at 118 Dorcy Drive, Suite B-1, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, telephone (345) 945-8173.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website at Home and the U.S. Department of State's travel website at Welcome to Travel.State.Gov, where the current Worldwide Caution Messages, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at A Safe Trip Abroad, which includes valuable security information for living and/or traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

 

[s.s.seafan]

Anyone visited Jamaica recently after the above happened? I'm scheduled to go to Ocho Rios this weekend, the news got me a little concerned about safety there.