Opposition spokesman on citizen security and productivity, Senator Peter Bunting says the reduction in murders in 2024 as reported by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is testament to the effectiveness of targeted policing strategies over the “ineffective states of emergency” (SOEs) previously employed frequently by the Andrew Holness administration.

“The People’s National Party (PNP) has long advocated for data-driven, focused action to combat crime – a stance validated by the security forces’ recent adoption of these strategies. This progress, though overdue, offers hope for a safer Jamaica,” Bunting said Friday as he made his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate.

The 1,141 murders reported by the JCF in 2024 represent a near 19 per cent reduction when compared to 2023 numbers. Bunting said there is more work to be done as the murder rate remains too high.

Said Bunting: “The number of murders in 2024 has, for the first time in nine years of this JLP administration, returned to the lower range that obtained in the previous PNP administration. While 2024’s numbers are encouraging, it’s critical to assess the eight preceding years of stagnation and missed opportunities in crime reduction. Under the PNP’s administration from 2012 to 2015, the average annual murder figure was 1,129 — still high but the lowest in two decades. By contrast, the JLP’s first eight years (2016– 2023) averaged 1,416 murders annually, a 25 per cent increase that resulted in 2,300 more lives lost than if the PNP’s numbers had been maintained”.

Bunting said Jamaica’s homicide rate remains alarmingly high, compounded by an increase in mass shootings in 2024.

“Additionally, financial crimes such as scamming and bank fraud that are estimated to fleece victims of over US$1 billion annually, remain untracked by JCF in their weekly Serious & Violent Crimes Report. These crimes often fund organised violence and must be addressed through comprehensive tracking and enforcement,” Bunting said.

He added that “The reduction in crime celebrated today is a step in the right direction, but the journey is far from over. Enforcement alone is insufficient. Jamaica must address the underlying conditions that perpetuate violence: inequality, social exclusion, and lack of opportunity”.