Murders plunged 16% in Jamaica

Decline in murders is accelerating in Jamaica with the numbers up to the end of August falling by 15.9 percent according to the data released by Jamaica Constabulary Force, this is an improvement over the 14.5 percent fall to July 6.
According to the report, the period saw 147 fewer murders than for the same period in 2023 when 930 persons lost their lives at the hands of criminals. For the year to date, murders were 783 and seemed on track to fall below 1,200 for the year, with the trend suggesting 1,175, with the average murders over three per day, if that were to happen it would represent the third consecutive year of decline. If the trend continues into 2025, murders will fall below 1,000 for the first time since 2003 with 976 murders.
Police divisions with sizeable increases are, St. Andrew Central with 17 more murders up by a whopping 49 percent, St. Andrew North had 10 percent more murders with a rise of 27 percent to 47, but St. Andrew South had 15 percent fewer murders for a total of 67.
Westmoreland experienced declines with a high murder rate of 68, down by 16 percent compared to 2023. Hanover enjoyed a 29 percent cut in murders to 39 while the murder capital of Jamaica, St James enjoyed a sharp 32 percent cut to an extremely high 92, by far the highest of any division. St Ann had a 21 percent reduction to 35 and Clarendon dropped 23 percent to a still-high 52.