WITH 1,129 recorded murders between January 1 and December 21, Jamaica seems poised to record significantly fewer murders this year than it did in 2023, and the message from Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake is that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will continue to root out violent criminals.

Over the same period last year, the country recorded 1,375 murders, which means that so far this year, there have been 246 fewer people killed.

The commissioner, in his end of year message to the nation, said: “I want to assure you of our continued dedication to your safety. To those who dear to disrupt the peace, let this be your warning. We are a force ready and resolute. Our commitment to safeguarding the lives of the law abiding remain sure.

“In 2025, you will face a united and determined JCF, empowered by the support of our leadership and the nation. We will root out violent criminals and bring them to justice,” he said.

Blake also extended “heartfelt gratitude to each member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force” for what he described as their tireless commitment to duty.

“This year, our collective efforts have resulted in significant strides in reducing crime and bringing peace to our communities,” the commissioner said.

Meanwhile, security expert Robert Finzie-Smith welcomed the apparent reduction in murders, citing last Friday that any number of deaths that is less than what was expected is appreciable.

At the same time, he commented that the number was still much too high.

“You need to realise that you may not be having the fully accurate numbers and let’s put it this way, it is still much too high for our size. Look at ratings in the world for murder figures per capita and see where we stand. That is to tell you the true nature of what is happening.

“If somebody tells me that they stopped a car from running badly and they can’t tell me what they did, how can they tell me that it is not going to start running badly again?

“We have not been told what has been done to reduce the murders. If it was something that was done by government or police, they would be able to indicate to you what was done to achieve the reduction. I have no guarantee that within the first six months of the new year it won’t skyrocket again,” Finzie-Smith said. “Show me what was done exactly, to reduce the amount of shootings.”

Pointing to social media, he said, “Look at it against the background of TikTokers getting killed online and mass shootings multiplying. You have reduced the amount of shootings, but mass shootings have increased,” he argued.

A number of mass murders were recorded this year, which contributed to the current overall figures.

In August, eight people, including a seven-year-old-boy, were murdered in one incident in Cherry Tree Lane in Clarendon. In October, another mass shooting claimed the lives of five people in Rockfort in Kingston. In November, another five people were killed in a mass shooting on Waltham Park Road in St Andrew. These killings were recorded among a slew of other multiple-victim incidents.

Up to December 21 this year, the St James Police Division recorded the highest number of murders, accounting for 125. The St Andrew South Division recorded 118, while Westmoreland accounted for 98 and St Catherine North, 92. St Catherine South recorded 83 murders, St Andrew Central recorded 78, Clarendon, 69, there were 66 in St Andrew North, while Kingston East, Kingston West, St Ann, and Manchester recorded 61, 56, 51, and 49 murders, respectively. There were 46 murders in Hanover, 31 in St Elizabeth, 26 in St Mary, 24 in Trelawny, 24 in Kingston Central, 19 in St Thomas, and 13 murders were recorded in Portland.

BLAKE…we will root out violent criminals and bring them to justice (Joseph Wellington)