KINGSTON, Jamaica—Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake is lamenting the murder of four-year-old Saniyah O’Brien, after the child and her father were attacked by gunmen in Landsettlement near Royal Flat in the parish.

Blake in a Commissioner’s Corner address described the youngster’s death as a stark reminder that every life lost to violence matters.

“Very sadly, 4 year old Saniyah O’Brien was one of the victims of murder by the hands of these hoodlums that we are up against,” the commissioner wrote, addressing colleagues across the force.

He noted that while the organisation continues to press ahead with crime reduction strategies, there have been “a few instances of multiple shootings and murders last week, and again this week”.

“Young Saniyah did not get the opportunity to grow up, as her life was snuffed out by the evils that some would want the society to believe are not all bad people,” he said.

Dr Kevin Blake

The commissioner’s comments come against the backdrop of continued reductions in major crimes. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) reports that murders are down by 28 per cent, shootings by 38 per cent, and overall major crimes by 26 per cent when compared with the corresponding period last year.

However, Blake cautioned that statistical progress does not diminish the human cost of violence.

His remarks underscored a long-standing principle within the organisation: that every incident must be examined critically, particularly where offenders exploit perceived vulnerabilities.

“Whenever these deviants strike, we must appreciate that they saw an opportunity that would make the time and place risk free,” he said. “It means therefore that we must first look inward to see if there was anything in our posture and strategy that failed to deny them that opportunity.”

At the same time, he urged members not to lose resolve.

“Resilience dictates that we not be daunted, but instead refine our strategies and intensify our push,” he wrote. “We will not allow these hoodlums and their sympathisers to shift the needle of progress even a bit. So let us continue on our mission with laser focus and steel determination.”

READ: Police pursuing intelligence, suspects in murder of 4-y-o girl