Murders trend downward by 13%

Jamaica is off to a good start as according to latest statistics by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the country is below its 2024 weekly average as the murder toll now stands at 73.

This is the lowest number of murders to start the year in recent times.

The 73 homicides recorded are 11 fewer or a 13 per cent decline when compared to the similar period in 2024 when 84 people were killed.

In 2024, Jamaica averaged almost 22 murders a week, ending the year on 1,141 in total, a 19 per cent reduction when compared to 2023.

Last week, January 26 to February 1 , the country recorded 15 murders.

The week before, January 19 to January 25, fifteen murders were also reportedly committed.

The numbers were worrying from January 5 to January 11, when 29 murders were committed in the first full week of 2025.

The security forces imposed curfews across several police divisions (St Catherine South, Kingston Eastern, Kingston West, St Andrew Central, St Andrew North, St Andrew South and St Mary). They were upgraded to States of Public Emergency (SOE) a week later with the measure imposed across several Corporate Area police divisions (Kingston Central, St Andrew South, Kingston Western and St Catherine South).

As at February 1, murders have been recorded in 15 of the 19 police divisions in Jamaica.

Four divisions, namely Trelawny, Manchester, St Elizabeth and Kingston Central, have recorded no murders.

St Andrew South, 13; St Catherine South, 11; St James, six; St Andrew Central, six; and St Ann, St Andrew North and St Catherine North with five each, are the divisions with the most murders.

The Police High Command has publicly said it wants to keep the murder statistics under 1,000 in 2025 and divisional commanders will be held accountable.

Several divisional commander transfers were made during the first week of January.

As at February 1, all other areas of serious crimes including shootings, injured persons, rape, robbery and break-ins have declined.

- Andre Williams

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