Murders drop by 35%

According to the latest statistics published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the country recorded a 35 per cent dip in murders over the first quarter of this year.

Between January 1 and April 5, the police recorded 191 murders, a decrease of 107 when compared with the corresponding period last year, according to the data.

Shootings are down 26 per cent while rapes are down 57 per cent, the data show.

"That's a big deal!" said Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Dr Dana Morris Dixon during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday.

"That's 107 less families mourning their children. When the numbers were going up, we were all exclaiming and rightly so. And as the numbers go down we have to celebrate it."

Fourteen of the 19 police divisions across the island reported a fall-off in killings, including St James which recorded 16 murders between January 1 and April 5 for a 61 per cent decline.

Kingston Eastern, another police division with a history of violent crimes, recorded six murders over the same period for a 66 per cent decline.

Ironically, St Mary and Portland - two of the parishes traditionally regarded as the safest in the country - were among four police divisions that saw murders increased.

Eight killings were recorded by the St Mary Police, two more than for the corresponding period last year, while Portland saw its murder tally balloon from two to eight over the three-plus months.

Daryl Vaz, Member of Parliament for Portland Western, said the increased murder toll is concerning, particularly "the types of incidents".

"The drive-by [shootings] etc and the fact that most of them, not all, are being identified as persons outside of the parish is of grave concern to me. I've been there for 17 years and this has never happened," said Vaz, who was also speaking during the post-Cabinet press briefing.

"It's something we are not accustomed to. Portland is not and will not be a safe haven for criminals, whether importees or deportees."

Vaz said he has had discussions with Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang and Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake about the issues and disclosed that both men are scheduled to visit the parish on Friday.

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