Jamaica Travel Advisories: What You Need to Know

[Jeff Dunsavage]

Several countries, including the U.S., have issued travel warnings in the wake of a spate of violent crimes in Jamaica. The warnings come after a series of violent incidents, including one in which a Canadian couple was murdered in their vacation home in St. Thomas Parish on the east side of the island earlier this month.

"Violent crime, such as home invasions, armed robberies, and homicide, is common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, even at all-inclusive resorts. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents," the State Department wrote in its advisory.

A reported 1,350 murders, 1,216 shootings, 449 aggravated assaults, and 480 rapes took place in 2016, TIME reported, citing State Department figures.

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