Jamaica records a 14% decline in murders

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Monday said that the island recorded a 14% decline in murders as of last Saturday, as compared to the same period last year.

In figures released, the JCF said that there were 292 murders as of April 6, when compared with 341 homicides for the same period last year.

According to the JCF, the St James police division covering the north-west end of the island had recorded  40 reported murders, with Westmoreland, south of here with 27 murders, St. Catherine South with 25,  with St Andrew South and St Andrew Central with 25 and 20 murders respectively.

The JCF said St Ann, the largest parish in Jamaica, had recorded 20 murders so far this year.

The JCF also reported that there were 290 reported shootings for the period under review, an increase of 2.8 per cent, while rape incidents declined by 40%, robbery by 1% and break-ins by 13%.

Last year, Jamaica recorded 1, 393 murders, a 7.8% decline from the previous year.

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