KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has recorded a significant 24 per cent decline in murders over the six months between November 2023 and April 2024 when compared with the preceding six-month period.

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, who pointed to the decline during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Tuesday, said “the slow but steady decline in severe violence” comes on the heels of the Jamaica Constabulary Force being brought up to almost full establishment numbers.

“Gang wars, which are predominantly based on conflicts over turf, have been significantly reduced across the island. The police’s assessment indicates that the number of gangs across the country has been considerably reduced and they are now smaller and less organised,” said Chang.

He noted that several large gangs have been disrupted, a number of gang trials are pending and the police have picked up several contract killing syndicates.

“Nevertheless, the homicide rate is still unacceptably high. Killings are, by and large, contract killings as a result of smaller disorganised gangs killing each other, as well as interpersonal conflicts between individuals in the criminal underworld. These are mainly carried out by drive-by shootings, as the police are better equipped to respond and therefore the criminals now seek to leave the scenes as quickly as possible after perpetrating their acts of violence,” said Chang.

The security minister said for 2024, murder is trending on a 15 per cent decline, following on an eight per cent reduction in 2023.

“We expect to maintain this downward trend going forward,” said Chang, adding that “If we had the full use of the strong and effective legislative tool, that is the state of public emergency, as we were building the capacity of the force, we would have saved hundreds of lives”.

Continuing, he said “That is a matter clearly impatient of debate. We note the failure, of those on the other (Opposition) side, to operate responsibly and allow the police to function most effectively to save Jamaican lives. Nevertheless, we will persist with our investments and policies, and we are confident that with the required supporting legislation, we can look towards continued improvement in safety and security in our communities.”