KINGSTON, Jamaica – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, is reporting a 15 per cent reduction in major crimes since the start of 2024.

Chang says for the period January 1 to November 4, the total number of murders recorded fell by 19 per cent, equating to 233 fewer individuals killed this year, while shootings have dipped by nine per cent.

“The quarter we are coming out of – August, September and October – has traditionally been the highest quarter for the year. August, September and October 2024 has been the lowest three months of the last five years. I emphasise that, because it reflects the introduction of new strategies by Commissioner Kevin Blake, and the team of officers leading the police force today,” Dr Chang stated. He was speaking at a November 6 post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

A 28 per cent decline in rapes and a 21 per cent decline in robberies was also recorded, and Chang says problem areas are more calm than usual. He noted that murders in St James are down by 32 per cent; Westmoreland, 12 per cent; Clarendon, 39 per cent; Kingston West, 30 per cent, and St Andrew South, 14 per cent.

“When we look at the [police] divisions that usually are problematic, we have seen even more significant decreases. Indeed, the police indicated that they are going to focus on the five critical divisions that literally cause about 50 per cent of the murders in the country on an annualised basis,” the minister said.

Addressing concerns about recent mass shootings the security minister assured,

“Another feature of our success by the police has been the significant reduction in incidents of multiple murders. While the recent three have shaken the society, at this point last year, there were 78 incidents of double murders, with 156 victims. This year, there have been 40 such incidents with 80 victims, and we continue to take action to reduce that kind of activity.

Meanwhile, Dr Chang shared that 667 illegal firearms have been taken off the streets of Jamaica since the start of the year, of that number, 383 guns were seized directly from assailants, while 284 were confiscated in situations without arrests.

The minister noted that 2,777 anti-gang operations were carried out during the period, resulting in the detention of 488 people, 19 of whom were female gang members.

One area that showed an increase was the prosecution of criminals.

One hundred and sixty three gangsters have been charged since January, compared to 145 last year and Chang noted that eight gangs, totalling 73 members, have been put before the court, while 28 other gangs are being investigated.

-JIS