CLARENDON, Jamaica — Once grappling with high levels of violence and social instability, May Pen and surrounding communities are now recording measurable improvements in safety, social development and opportunity, following sustained interventions under Project STAR and its partners.

According to a release from Project STAR, data shared by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), show that Clarendon has seen a dramatic decline in murders over the past decade, with the most significant reductions occurring since the rollout of community-based initiatives supported by Project STAR.

Addressing residents and stakeholders at a town hall meeting organised by Project STAR recently, Sergeant Leroy Chambers of the JCF noted that Clarendon recorded 169 murders in 2017. By 2023, that figure had fallen to 104 before dropping further to 69 murders in 2024, a reduction of 100 murders compared to 2017.

The downward trend continued into 2025, when the parish recorded 41 murders, representing a 59.4 per cent reduction.

“This was a milestone year for us,” Sergeant Chambers said, describing the reduction as both “significant” and “encouraging”. He attributed the progress to strong partnerships between the JCF, Project STAR, the Social Development Commission, private sector partners, the restorative justice system, and community members themselves.

The crime reduction strategy was not accidental, he noted. Using crime trend data, he said the JCF and Project STAR identified communities requiring urgent intervention, particularly where crimes were being committed against and by youth.

Initial focus was placed on Treadlight, Racetrack and Havana Heights, with Cherry Tree Lane later added after assessments showed the interconnected nature of violence across neighbouring communities.

“These communities were not selected out of a hat,” Sergeant Chambers stressed. “They were selected based on data that showed there was a need for urgent change.”

Through targeted youth development, training and community empowerment programmes, stakeholders observed strengthened community groups, improved social cohesion and a corresponding reduction in crime, outcomes that have contributed to wider parish-level improvements.

Beyond policing outcomes, Project STAR’s Community Hubs have delivered life-changing social support to residents, particularly through access to critical documentation.

Sheronie Lewin-Lawrence, community project officer at Project STAR said that residents have been assisted in obtaining birth certificates, in some cases for the first time. This has enabled individuals to apply for Tax Registration Numbers (TRNs), National Insurance Scheme (NIS) registration, access training and employment opportunities, secure passports and enrol children in school.

In one case highlighted by Project STAR, a four-year-old child who had been unable to attend school due to lack of a birth certificate is now enrolled after the documentation process was completed through the Community Hub.

Farmers have also benefited through assistance in obtaining Rural Agricultural Development Authority identification cards, allowing them to access subsidies, duty concessions, disaster relief support and official Jamaica Agricultural Society receipt books, strengthening livelihoods while supporting efforts to reduce praedial larceny.

According to Project STAR, a  cornerstone of the social transformation has been the Male Mentorship Programme, which identifies respected men within communities and equip them with training to mentor at-risk males.

“These men already have influence,” Romel Gordon, community services coordinator for East and Central at Project STAR, noted, “and now they are using that influence in a positive way.”

Early outcomes include increased male participation in behaviour change sessions, stronger peer support, and mentorship relationships between experienced community leaders and younger men. The programme is helping to promote positive models of manhood, responsibility and leadership, contributing to safer families and communities.

Another flagship initiative, he said, is the Kicking Forward Football Programme, which uses sport as an entry point to engage boys aged eight to 16. While football draws them in, the programme goes further, exposing participants to leadership development, conflict resolution, career awareness, sexual and reproductive health education, teamwork and decision-making skills, he informed.

He, however, acknowledged challenges in encouraging some participants to fully engage in the personal development components and says it is currently reviewing and refining its approach to ensure deeper impact.

Economic empowerment has also been a key focus, noted Kelly Griffith, training and job placement team lead at Project STAR. Through Job Readiness Training Programmes, more than 170 individuals have been trained in workplace behaviour, résumé writing and interview skills, with over 70 participants placed in employment.

By partnering directly with employers, including major call centres and production firms, Project STAR has aligned training with real labour market needs, creating direct pathways from training to jobs.

Looking ahead, Griffith said that new skills training programmes are being developed in areas such as customer service, administrative support, event planning and retail merchandising, alongside entrepreneurial skills in cosmetology, agriculture and construction.

Sergeant Chambers urged residents and stakeholders to continue supporting Project STAR, engage youth positively and strengthen partnerships across communities.

“In doing so”, he said, “we are creating the environment needed to realise Vision 2030, a Jamaica where we can live, work, do business and raise families in safety.”

As May Pen’s experience shows, he said sustained collaboration, data-driven interventions and community ownership are proving to be powerful tools, not only in reducing crime but also in restoring hope and opportunity across Clarendon.