State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Senator Abka Fitz-Henley says the Holness Administration is clear that there is no room for complacency despite a sharp decline in violent crime, with Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) data showing murders down 54 per cent so far this year compared to the same period in 2025.

As of January 24 this year, 27 murders have been reported, compared with 59 for the similar period last year. At the same time, shootings are down 30 per cent, the JCF has reported.

“It is definitely an encouraging start to the new year. Last year January was the most challenging month in terms of murders for 2025; therefore, it was important that we got off to a good start this year. That said, the mindset of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang is that we are always exploring additional measures to make peace prevail in Jamaica,” Fitz-Henley said in response to the JCF data.

“We will not and cannot afford to be complacent,” he added.

Fitz-Henley said the Administration is hopeful that the successes of the security forces will result in more compliance and fewer circumstances presenting themselves in which law enforcement is compelled to use deadly force.

“The prime minister has been clear. He expects that the security forces will treat all Jamaicans with equal respect, regardless of their station in life. Respect for our citizens is important, even as our security forces move to enforce the laws with a firm and fair hand. We are hopeful that Jamaica is now at a point where the security forces will receive support when they apply force proportionately but also that our success in reducing murders will create fewer circumstances where gunmen challenge the police,” he said.

According to Fitz-Henley, “The ultimate goal is to ensure that peace prevails in Jamaica and there is a reduction in violent conflict.”

Meanwhile, he pointed to two pieces of legislation which are currently before the Parliament which, he noted, are geared towards ensuring the justice system works better for all Jamaicans, while creating the circumstances which will reduce the prospect of criminality in Jamaica.

“Amendments to the Jury Act, which, among other things, seek to increase the stipend for jurors, are aimed at encouraging more people to participate in the administration of our justice system. It is important that we make the system more efficient,” Fitz-Henley reasoned.

He pointed to legislation which seeks to create room for the expungement of criminal records for some offences, which he described as being “important in the fight against crime and the administration of justice”.

He noted that expungement-related legislation, which was approved in the House of Representatives recently and is expected to be debated in the Senate in the coming days, is aimed at giving Jamaicans the opportunity, when passed into law, to get a new lease on life and to persuade past offenders to turn away from crime and violence.

“So our approach to reducing crime is not singularly focused, it is multi-dimensional, sometimes it involves direct crime-fighting laws, but it also includes legislation which improves the delivery of justice by espousing the principle of a second chance and also legislation which motivates more Jamaicans to do what is right and be active participants in their justice system,” he said.