ST JAMES, Jamaica — The St James Police Division has recorded 16 murders during the first three months of 2026, according to Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels.

Samuels disclosed the figures while addressing the monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation.

He told councillors that the division has seen an increase in murders since the beginning of the year.

“For the St James Division, since the start of the week, we have recorded 16 murders, this is an increase of four compared to last year,” Samuels said.

The total is seven more than the nine murders that had been reported up to February.

Samuels noted that most of the recent killings are primarily linked to domestic and interpersonal disputes.

“Interestingly to note, we have seen a reduction in gang-related murders; most of the murders we are seeing now are interpersonal, mostly choppings, stabbings, etc,” he explained.

With 16 murders recorded up to March 7, the St James Police Division currently has the highest number of killings among police divisions across Jamaica. It is followed by St Andrew South, which has recorded 11 murders during the same period.