FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Delroy Chuck is warning that citizens must now play a greater role in helping to stem violence across communities amid concerns that although Jamaica is recording a significant decline in gang-related killings, domestic-related murders are steadily increasing.

“At one time the gang murders were close to 80 per cent, now it is closer to 60 per cent, but that means the domestic murders are climbing proportionately,” he said without providing specific figures for the increase in domestic-related murders.

Chuck was on Friday speaking at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy Development and Estate Planning Public Education Forum held at Ocean Coral Spring, here, under the theme ‘Resolving Disputes, Securing Legacy’.

Highlighting the country’s recent reduction in murders, Chuck said Jamaica is making major progress but cautioned against complacency.

“Over the last four years: [In] 2023 murders went down by nine per cent; 2024, murders went down by 19 per cent; and last year, 42 per cent — for the first time under 1,000,” he said.

According to the minister, up to last Wednesday Jamaica had recorded 204 murders — approximately 66 fewer than the corresponding period last year.

“What is good, ladies and gentlemen, so far in May we have had five days in the month that there was no murder. I mean, that is fantastic,” Chuck said while expressing hope that Jamaica could soon record a single-digit murder month.

Chuck urged Jamaicans to work closely with the police and support efforts to maintain law and order.

He commended the commander of the St James Police Division, Senior Superintendent of Police Eron Samuels, and members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, for their efforts.

The minister used the opportunity to underscore that the police have the legal authority to maintain public order, and warned against citizens resisting arrest or interfering with police operations.

“When the police say you’re under arrest, you must surrender. You can’t fight,” Chuck stated, adding that people who believe they were unlawfully arrested can seek redress through the courts by filing claims for false imprisonment.

He also defended the police’s right to use “reasonable force” in apprehending suspected felons — including deadly force, in certain circumstances.

“If the person is trying to escape and the only way to apprehend the person escaping is by deadly force, by law it is still reasonable force,” Chuck said.

The Administrator General’s Department (AGD), which is responsible for the administration of estates, recently launched a public education campaign to assist with simplified details surrounding the matter of intestacy and estate planning. The ministry saw it prudent to merge efforts to ensure all stakeholders are made aware of the new tools available to assist in conflict resolution in various situations, especially in light of “dead lef” being an issue that has created much animosity and conflict among Jamaicans.

Friday marked the first in a series of public fora that form a crucial part of the public education campaign.

Custotodes Bishop Conrad Pitkin (left) and Hugh Gentles of St James and Trelawny, respectively, at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy Development and Estate Planning Public Education Forum held at Ocean Coral Spring in Trelawny on Friday. Photo: Horace Hines