As we close another year and embark on the journey of 2025, it is crucial to reflect on the ongoing challenges Jamaica faces regarding crime and violence. The statistics are sobering.

Despite the Government’s best efforts, the spectre of crime looms large, and the need for a united front against this pervasive issue has never been more urgent. Unfortunately, one of the most significant obstacles to achieving lasting peace and security in our communities is what appears to be the persistent refusal of the People’s National Party (PNP) to fully support initiatives aimed at reducing crime.

The roots of this predicament stretch back to 2017 when the Government first implemented states of public emergency (SOEs) and zones of special operations (ZOSOs) in Mount Salem, St James, to address the escalating violence that had plagued the nation. This initiative resulted in a remarkable 76 per cent reduction in murders within the police division. The murder rates for the preceding years, 2015 and 2016, were alarming, with 1,208 and 1,323 murders recorded, respectively. These figures underscored the urgent need for decisive action. By the end of 2017, however, the country witnessed a significant 21 per cent reduction in murders — the lowest rate in two decades. This achievement was a testament to the effectiveness of the Government’s initiatives, yet it was overshadowed by the PNP’s refusal to lend its support.

This was not the first instance in which a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)-led Administration sought the cooperation of the Opposition to tackle the scourge of crime. In 2011, during the Tivoli incursion, the PNP similarly declined to stand in solidarity with the Government against criminal elements. Instead of uniting to confront the threats facing our society, the PNP chose to politicise the issue, thereby undermining the very initiatives designed to protect the Jamaican people.

Fast-forward to 2018 when the Government once again sought to extend the SOEs. The PNP’s response was consistent with its previous behaviour; it allowed the measures to expire and, on September 1, 2023, took the matter to court, claiming the SOEs were unconstitutional. This legal challenge not only demonstrated a lack of commitment to public safety but also sent a dangerous message to those engaged in criminal activity: there were political avenues available to evade the consequences of their actions.

The PNP’s stance raises critical questions about its commitment to public safety and willingness to prioritise party politics over the welfare of the Jamaican people. It is disheartening to observe that, as we approach the end of another year, the PNP continues to refuse to support the Government’s crime reduction initiatives. Current Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) data indicate that Jamaica has achieved a murder reduction of nearly 20 per cent, yet the Opposition remains obstinate in its refusal to collaborate.

One cannot help but wonder: What plans does the PNP have to address crime and violence in Jamaica? During its tenure in office, it failed to implement any substantial measures that would effectively combat the criminal elements threatening our society. But it seems content to criticise the Government’s efforts without presenting any viable alternatives. This lack of foresight and action is concerning, especially given the gravity of the situation.

The PNP’s history of opposition to crime reduction initiatives is not only a political failure, it is a moral one. By refusing to stand with the Government in the fight against crime when it matters most, it is effectively abandoning the Jamaican people to the whims of criminals. The citizens of Jamaica deserve a political landscape in which cooperation and collaboration are prioritised over partisan politics, especially when it comes to matters of life and death.

Between 1980 and 1989, under a JLP Administration, Jamaica achieved a remarkable 50 per cent reduction in the murder rate. In 1980 the country recorded 899 murders, but by 1989 that number had dropped to 439, signalling a substantial decrease in violence. This achievement highlighted the effectiveness of the JLP’s policies in combating crime during a turbulent time.

However, the landscape changed dramatically after the PNP assumed power in 1989. Under its leadership Jamaica saw a significant reversal in this trend. By 2007 the murder rate had surged to 1,584, an alarming increase from the 439 murders in 1989, marking a staggering rise of more than 260 per cent. This sharp escalation in crime under the PNP’s rule underscores a critical failure to maintain or build on the progress made during the JLP’s tenure.

This stark contrast — 439 murders in 1989 under the JLP versus 1,584 murders in 2007 under the PNP — reflects the challenges faced under the PNP Administration in addressing the escalating violence in Jamaica. The sharp rise in murders during this period exemplifies the failure to effectively reduce crime and highlights the importance of choosing leadership committed to ensuring safety and peace for all Jamaicans.

kristophe60@hotmail.com