Jamaica records drop in murders

CMC – Jamaica is reporting a 12 per cent decrease in murders for the the first eight months of this year, as compared to the same period last year when 1,179 people were murdered. Last year Jamaica recorded 1,498 murders.

According to figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the country recorded 1, 038 murders for the period January to September 30 this year, with St. James (144 murders) St. Andrew North (95 murders), Westmoreland (92 murders) St. Catherine North (86 murders), St. Ann (62 murders) all recording declines over last year’s figures.

Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson, speaking at the JCF’s quarterly media briefing, said overall there is a 12 per cent reduction in murders noticing also that all major crimes are down 13 per cent during the period under review.

“Murders are down 12 per cent, which translates to 141 less persons killed. Shooting incidents [are] down nine per cent, rape down 18 per cent, and robberies down 17 per cent,” he said, telling reporters that interpersonal violence accounted for 21 per cent of total homicides while gang-related murders accounted for 66 per cent of all killings.

“This is a shift from the 70 plus per cent [of murders] attributable to gangs as our counter-gang measures take effect,” Anderson said, praising the police personnel who are dealing with major gang cases, and those who are “making the effort to deal with the collective gang situation where people come together to commit crimes”.

The Police Commissioner said illegal guns continue to be the weapon of choice for criminals, with 84 per cent of all murders committed by the gun.

“In our efforts to combat this, 516 illegal weapons have been recovered this year so far,” he said, adding that between 600 and 700 illegal weapons are seized by the police each year.

“As we begin the final quarter of this year we remain resolute in our drive to save as many lives as possible, to continue our efforts against gangs and violent criminal organisations, and end the year with reductions in all major crimes.”

The top cop said he was also looking forward to even greater collaboration and assistance from local law enforcement partners, namely the Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Customs, Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) and others.

“Most importantly, we’re anticipating continued public support for our force,” he said , telling reporters that the JCF adjusted some of its operational initiatives, in line with its intelligence and crime analysis, during the period under review.

“We saw some shifts in the types and motives of crimes; and even though our activities have impacted gang activities and hot spots we note that there were a number of homicides outside these areas that appear to have a basis in interpersonal issues,” said Anderson.

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