For someone's head to be cut off and dumped near a police station is very hard to beat as a shocking crime. But it has happened and in Montego Bay of all places, the friendly city, the tourism capital of Jamaica, the home of huge music festivals such as the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest.

Of course, the 2007 staging of the festival is well under way during this latest round of MoBay murders which, frankly speaking, may be surprising in intensity although unsurprising in having actually occurred, as crime in the western city is nothing new. And it is hardly likely that the murders will affect the magnitude of the 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival or the intensity with which the persons in attendance will enjoy the music.

This only underscores that Montego Bay, the recreation destination, is a very distinct place from Montego Bay, the place where people work, live and die. The crime does not touch the much valued and valuable tourism industry, which has its own dedicated lawmen in the form of the resort police along the Hip Strip.

In theory, it would be wonderful if the same level of protection could be afforded to the 'native' population, but we know that this is impossible. However, it would be good if there was a closer link between the tourism industry and the day-to-day life of Montego Bay.

Then maybe, just maybe, the warning rumblings of the volcano of murder that seem to be erupting in MoBay would have been paid more attention.