Have returning residents to Jamaica been targetted for crime? Yes, over the years, there have been cases of returning residents becoming victims of crime. Recently some organized criminals who targetted returning residents have been arrested and their activities disrupted.
See this article.
Read this article too.
The second article gives some figures on the number of reported criminal incidents involving returning residents.
As to whether Jamaica is hopeless, I don't think so. Yes there's crime, but there's crime everywhere. Every country has negative things going on there. The majority of returning residents to Jamaica manage to settle in ok, and make positive contributions.
Coming back home after being away for a long time can be rough. Culture shock hits some people hard. They get used to things running one way outside of Jamaica, and find it challenging when things don't quite work the way they are used to in Jamaica. Heck, after going away for 1 week, I get a bit phased when I get back home and experience Jamrock in all its glory. (Nuttin' bun mi worse dan using real high speed Internet ova foreign, den coming back to dialup or 128K ADSL ova yah so - cross!
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The mistake some returning residents make, is not keeping the link with home, and losing touch with what's going on here. If you keep in the loop, it's easier for you to know what and where the risks are and how things are really running, so that you can better protect yourself and make your transition smoother.
Very few things in life are easy. Plenty of the good things come with challenges. Many people don't let crime or inconvenience deter them from coming home and contributing positively to the island. It can be done. It just takes careful thought and planning.