It must be ‘all hands on deck’ in fight against crime, JCF says
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Emphasising that Jamaica is at “a critical juncture in its fight against crime,” the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has stated that a collective effort is needed to effectively reduce crime.
In a recent address, Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake noted that while there has been a 17.3 per cent reduction in murders and a 13.5 per cent reduction in major crimes overall, the data should be met with both “celebration and reflection.”
“Every single major crime is seeing a reduction. These numbers are more than statistical milestones asthey represent lives saved, communities made safer, and a shift in how law enforcement is addressing violent crime. Yet, as encouraging as these figures are, they should be met with both celebration and reflection,” he said.
“If we take credit for the reduction in crime—which we should—we must also assume a major part of the responsibility when it is increasing,” he continued.
In a release conveying Blake’s message, the JCF stated that “crime trends are not static, and while the police play a crucial role in managing crime, the broader ecosystem of public safety extends beyond law enforcement.”
“Crime is a reflection of deeper social, economic, and cultural issues that require a holistic, multi-agency approach,” the release noted.
The Commissioner challenged JCF members to “think beyond their immediate duties and view their role as part of a larger strategy for public safety,” while also urging the public to “rethink their role in crime prevention,” emphasising that “every citizen should view themselves as a stakeholder in Jamaica’s public safety.”
“It is only through this unified way of thinking and the acceptance of shared responsibility that we will become more effective in tackling the crime and violence challenge,” Blake said. “The fight against crime is ongoing, and it is one that requires all hands on deck. As citizens, we must resist the temptation to view crime as solely a police problem. Instead, we must see ourselves as partners in building a safer Jamaica.”
