MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Against the backdrop of an increase in intelligence-led police operations targeting criminals, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Delroy Chuck is urging relatives of gunmen to expose them or be prepared to deal with the fallout.

“It is clear that the police are getting intelligence and are going after those people with the guns, and those of you who know that your family members have guns, urge them to give them up, because otherwise it won’t be long before you visit them in prison, or assist them six feet down,” Chuck said as he addressed the Annual Custos Church Service at the Mandeville Baptist Church on Sunday.

“You family members who know that your young ones…are carrying guns urge them to give them up before the police come for them, because the police are using intelligence to find them and the police will be coming for them,” added Chuck.

He said for 2026 the Ministry of Justice will be promoting social harmony across the island as he pointed to the country’s 30-year low of fewer than 700 murders last year.

“I think it is important that we build on what we have achieved so far, especially in the area of crime reduction. We want to congratulate the police force and you [head of the Manchester Police Division] Superintendent Carey Duncan for the outstanding work that the police have engaged in over the past years,” Chuck said while pointing to recent murder figures.

“In 2023 there was a nine per cent reduction in murders. In 2024 it was 19 per cent and last year it was 41.3 per cent. I don’t know what the target of the commissioner and the police is, but our target in Jamaica must be in excess of 50 per cent reduction in murders and we can achieve it,” added Chuck.

He then focused on Manchester, where there were 16 fewer murders recorded last year when compared to 2024.

“Manchester last year you had 35 murders which [was fewer] than the year before. Thirty-five murders is still too many for a parish that has always been known to be peaceful and I will be asking every citizen, especially the JPs [justices of the peace] to work very closely with the police to have more than a 50 per cent reduction. For 2026 Manchester should be looking at fewer than 20 murders for the year. There is absolutely no reason why it cannot be achieved,” he said.

“Every citizen of Manchester and Jamaica must appreciate that we have to support and work very closely with the police. They have a most difficult job, policing all the corners, all the roads, the nooks and crannies across Jamaica,” added Chuck.

The justice minister pointed out that the use of firearms in murders continues to be a significant challenge in crime fighting in Jamaica.

“You cannot have a policeman at every elbow, at every corner in the parish, so you have to be the eyes and the ears in support of the police. During the last four years…murders were committed primarily by the use of a gun,” noted Chuck.

“Eighty per cent of the killings were with the use of a gun, it dropped last year to 73 per cent, but that is still too high. What it means is that there are far too many guns across Jamaica and that is the power that these young men feel they have and they behave like autocrats. Once they have the power, they feel they must use it,” he added.

Chuck called on JPs to continue to partner with the police to help curb crime as he pointed out that the need for domestic violence awareness to remain a priority.

“We cannot ignore that there is far too much domestic violence, domestic abuse. There is absolutely no reason why a man should put his hand on a woman, it must stop. While you can run away from the fist of a woman, the woman frequently can’t run away, but it is important for justices of the peace that you assist in directing families in dispute, or who have unstable relationships, to seek counselling,” said Chuck.