ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Westmoreland Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has recorded a 60 per cent decline in murders since the start of 2025, compared to the same period last year.

This was disclosed by Officer in Charge of Operations in the parish, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kevin Francis, who was addressing the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation in Savanna-la-Mar on Thursday, July 10.

“Since January until today’s date, there are 23 murders that have been committed in this parish, when compared to last year, where the number was 57,” he reported.

He said that the police must be commended “for those kinds of efforts to reduce crime, to save lives and, of course, to reassure not just our citizens but our business partners, the commerce industry, our students”.

Meanwhile, DSP Francis warned citizens that possession of offensive weapons such as knives and machetes could lead to prosecution.

He noted that three murders were committed in the Negril area in July 2024 with the use of these weapons.

“The use of these weapons is causing us grief. They’re creating problems and as such, I want to remind members of the public that if you walk with a knife or are caught with an offensive weapon, you are liable to be prosecuted,” he cautioned.

— JIS