MONTEGO BAY, St James — National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang has again highlighted continued reductions in homicides across Jamaica, pointing out that as of Thursday morning the island has recorded a more than 30 per cent decrease in murders since the start of the year.

He expressed optimism that if this downward trend continues, the country could achieve its target of recording fewer than 1,000 murders by the end of the year.

“I look at those statistics regularly and I can say today, nationally, we are 30.7 per cent behind. It’s the first time we are going to hit 30 per cent,” the security minister said.

“If we maintain that we’ll go below the target 1,000,” he said during the presentation of certificates to 210 cops from Area One who participated in the Sandals Corporate University Leadership Training Initiative. The ceremony was held at Sandals Montego Bay.

Dr Chang lauded the Area One Police Division for achieving the largest percentage decline in the number of murders recorded so far since the start of this year.

Area One consists of Trelawny, St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland and there are 19 police divisions spread across the country.

“They have reduced the rate of homicides this year by the largest amount in the last 12 months and the last eight months in particular,” Dr Chang said.

Commander of Area One Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Glenford Miller concurred.

“If you look at last year, when we look at statistics, St James [saw] a record reduction in murders last year,” Miller declared.

He noted that the momentum spilled over into this year.

“I must hasten to say Area One is seeing the highest reduction in any area in the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Since the start of this year, every division in Area One is seeing a reduction in murders,” Miller added.

The security minister noted that since August last year murders started to see a drastic reduction, and if the current trend continues, the four divisions in Area One could go as low as 100 murders at the end of this year.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Glenford Miller speaking at Thursday’s presentation of certificates to 210 cops who participated in the Sandals Corporate University Leadership Training Initiative. (Photos: Philp Lemonte)