KINGSTON, Jamaica- Deputy Superintendent Coleridge Minto was in a celebratory mood on Saturday as he announced a 48 per cent drop in murders in the St Andrew South Police Division.

He was speaking at a church service held at the New Foundation Christian Ministry in Duhaney Park, Kingston when he thanked residents within the division for their assistance in achieving this decrease.

“In 2021 we had 163 murders when compared to the end of 2022 we were down to 130 murders thanks to the partnership of our citizens. When we compare the corresponding period March 12 last year to March 12 this year, last year this time we were at 23 murders, I am happy to report that this year we are at 12 murders, a reduction of 48 per cent,” Deputy Superintendent Minto said.

He added that certain strategies were also put in place by the division to achieve this major drop in murders, which includes being in constant contact with residents in the area.

“In recognising the gains of 2022, the management of St Andrew South Division we have taken some strategic decisions. We have decentralised our operation support team[and] in each of the zones we also have a component of the community safety and security so we go into churches, we go in to schools, we go to neighbourhood watches and we partner with our citizens and we ensure that we are always in touch with them,” Deputy Superintendent Minto added.