[Cajundaddy]

We stayed in Ocho Rios in a Sandals all-inclusive about 8 years ago. Had a marvelous time and it was dirt cheap. We did a lot of scuba diving and sailing with limited time outside the resort. The resort personnel were very friendly and efficient. Outside the resort there was a sense of desperate poor and the street vendors were pretty aggressive. No more aggressive than in China or Mazatlan Mex. though. If you venture out follow the same rules you might use anywhere in Asia, South America or most of Europe or large cities in the US:

* leave all your jewelry and large cash at home or locked in your hotel safe. Carry only what you need or can afford to lose.
* Stay together in a group and pay attention to your surroundings.
* Avoid the drug trade and other criminal activity.
* Keep a low profile and blend in with the locals (don't act like a bozo).
* There is a saying in China that applies to most tourists everywhere: If you carry your valuables in front, they belong to you. If you carry them in back, they belong to someone else.

We have traveled quite a bit and the cities we observed the most street crime and pick-pockets? Paris France and NYC. It does happen everywhere.