THERE has been an increase in the number of Jamaican households using technological devices such as cameras, alarm systems and electronic gates to secure their property, a recently published 2023 study has revealed.

According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica’s 2023 Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey Report, the use of security cameras in households made a noticeable jump from 4.3 per cent in 2019 to 12.7 per cent in 2023.

The use of alarm systems or panic buttons increased from 2.1 per cent in 2019 to 4.1 per cent in 2023. Additionally, the use of electronic gates made a jump from 2.6 per cent in 2019 to 4.6 per cent in 2023.

The report indicated that the significant increase in the use of security cameras “could be attributed to the constant surveillance provided by security cameras, which some researchers believe acts as a deterrent to potential criminals”.

The survey was conducted between November 2023 and February 2024, targeting individuals 16 years and older who are usual residents of Jamaica and living in private dwellings.

Notably, the use of security grilles, the more traditional way of securing a property, dropped from 37.8 per cent of households in 2019 to 35 per cent of households in 2023. The use of additional locks and watchdogs to secure households also saw a decline in 2023 when compared to 2019, dropping from 28.2 per cent to 19.1 per cent and 20.3 per cent to 11.8 per cent, respectively.

When asked the cost to implement security measures, the majority of the more than 21,000 households that provided a cost indicated that they spent upwards of $65,000 from November 2022 to October 2023 to ensure their safety.

More than 12,000 households spent between $30,000 and $65,000, while a little over 15,000 households stated they spent between $15,000 and $30,000. Less than $5,000 was spent by more than 13,000 households.

The use of firearms to ensure security increased by 0.5 per cent, the 2023 Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey Report said.

Also, there was a significant increase in the percentage of urban respondents who were more likely to associate firearm ownership with enhanced household safety. This view saw a 16.6 per cent increase among urban respondents when compared to 2019.

The report further pointed to its findings that indicated a higher fear of crime existed among urban residents than those living in rural areas.

The findings align with studies which found that “people with higher levels of fear of crime were more favourable to guns”, the report said.

There was also an upward trend in the number of
rural inhabitants who perceived that firearm possession enhanced personal safety. This increased from 43.9 per cent in 2019 to 49.5 per cent in 2023, which the report said indicated a shift in safety perceptions within the demographic.

A breakdown of the findings by gender found that in 2019 and 2023, a higher proportion of men compared to women believed that gun possession enhanced feelings of safety.

The majority of respondents age 25-39 had the perception that having a licensed firearm enhanced safety. As the age group increased, this sentiment decreased, with respondents aged 60 and above being more likely to report that firearm ownership did not enhance their sense of safety.