KINGSTON, Jamaica, Jun 16, CMC – Jamaica has recorded a near 45 per centr decline in murders so far this year, with the country registering 303 murders as of June 14.
Figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) show that between the 303 killings were 240 less than for the same period last year, when the island recorded 543 murders.
The figures show significant declines in murders in Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James, Manchester as well as Kingston astern and Kingston central.
According to the figures, St. James for example, registered 2e3 murders so far this year as compared with 73 last year and Westmoreland having 21 murders as against 52 killings for the same period last year.
The police figures also show that 14 people were killed island during the period June 7-14.
The figures also show that shootings dropped from 492 to 332, with persons injured declining by 216 from last year’s figure of 445.
There was also a significant decline in rapes, the JCF said.
In April, National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang told Parliament that Jamaica could attain a historic milestone this year, given that, based on current trends, murders in Jamaica should end 2025 below 800.
“This would represent not only a historic low, but a major victory for every law-abiding Jamaican. Madam Speaker, I say to the public do not to watch the headlines, pay attention to the trend lines! In today’s world, access to information through social media is faster than ever. However, headlines are often sensational, focusing on the negative while giving little attention to the positive,” he told legislators.
In 2024, Jamaica recorded 1,141 murders.
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