KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senator Abka Fitz-Henley has hit back at criticisms by Opposition Spokesman on Security Peter Bunting that the Andrew Holness-led Government does not deserve credit for the recent reduction in murders.

“We welcome the recent reduction in murders, but let’s be clear: It isn’t because of the JLP, it’s in spite of them. This government crippled the police force with inadequate resources and failed policies. The credit belongs to the commissioner and his team. Real crime prevention means investing in people. That’s what we’ll do,” Bunting said in a post on his Facebook page on Friday.

Fitz-Henley in a statement on Monday, described Bunting’s comments as both unbecoming and disingenuous, stating: “particularly so coming from an individual who, when he was security minister, presided over a cumulative six per cent spike in murders and who, when murders spiralled under his watch, sobbed and lamented that the statistics were poor despite best efforts.”

He said the bravery and skill of the security forces, supported by investments in national security and strategic policy-making of the Government, have combined well to ensure positive outcomes.

The senator accused Bunting of being embarrassed that the PNP’s repeated claim that the Government does not have a crime plan has proven to be false.

Fitz-Henley said the passage of laws including the zones of special operation, amendments to the anti-gang law and firearms act, along with a raft of other strategic policy initiatives, have contributed heavily to the 44-per-cent decline in murders.

Senator Fitz-Henley said it is noteworthy that the Government of the JLP has invested over 80 billion dollars in national security compared to 28 billion, which was invested by the ex-PNP administration.

The senator said the superior investment by the Holness administration has been made possible by good management of the economy. However, Senator Fitz-Henley says the Holness-led administration has not merely thrown money at the problem.