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Murders down 18%
Friday, September 26, 2014
THE country has recorded an 18 per cent reduction in murders for the period January 1 to September 24, according to police statistics shared by the Government yesterday.
A total of 714 murders were reported, compared to 871 for the same period last year.
Two Sundays ago, the Jamaica Observer reported that up to Friday, September 12, the murder toll since the start of the year stood at 698 -- 15 per cent less than the 819 recorded for the same period last year.
Yesterday, National Security Minister Peter Bunting, while encouraged by the reduction, said the numbers were still too high.
Bunting spoke about the murder figures during an address to the Realtors Association of Jamaica Annual General Meeting in New Kingston.
The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) reported Bunting as saying that if the trend remains at the current pace, although not desirable, there is a high possibility of the murder figure for the calendar year remaining under 1,000.
This, he said, would be the first time in "many, many" years, and would represent a "psychological benchmark", the JIS reported.
Last night, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Crime Glenmore Hinds said he was pleased with the reduction and the general downward trend in all other major crimes.
"However, the fight is far from over, as the criminals are still out there; they are still brazen, as evidenced by the callous murder of young Constable James Grant on Tuesday in August Town," Hinds said.
"The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) remains resolute and will continue to work to achieve even further reductions," Hinds added. "I congratulate all the men and women of the JCF for their sterling effort in reducing all crimes."
The police division recording the biggest decrease in murders was Clarendon with 64, compared to 93 over the same period last year, a reduction of 29.
St Andrew South and Westmoreland recorded 24 fewer murders. In St Andrew Central, there we 23 less murders, while in St Catherine South the number fell by 15 and St Thomas saw 12 less murders.
Yesterday, Bunting outlined some of the major initiatives that have been undertaken to yield these results, such as beefing up police presence.
This has been done through the addition of police posts, including portable posts; and the renovation of underutilised State facilities, for use by the police, the JIS reported Bunting as saying.
He noted that the JCF fleet has been enhanced, with $1 billion spent on vehicles over the past two years, and that there has been a thrust for greater efficiency in the service the police force provides, as well as in the use of its resources.
Bunting also pointed to the recent merger of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Island Special Constabulary Force, as well as the merger of the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Task Force, and the JCF's Anti-Corruption Branch.
He emphasised the impact of legislative teeth in crime fighting, citing the passage of laws such as the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Bill (Anti-gang Bill), and the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act, commonly known as the Anti-Lottery Scam Act.
Since the law was passed last year, more than 600 persons have been arrested and charged under the anti-lottery scam legislation; and 17 under the anti-gang law, which was approved by Parliament earlier this year.
Friday, September 26, 2014
THE country has recorded an 18 per cent reduction in murders for the period January 1 to September 24, according to police statistics shared by the Government yesterday.
A total of 714 murders were reported, compared to 871 for the same period last year.
Two Sundays ago, the Jamaica Observer reported that up to Friday, September 12, the murder toll since the start of the year stood at 698 -- 15 per cent less than the 819 recorded for the same period last year.
Yesterday, National Security Minister Peter Bunting, while encouraged by the reduction, said the numbers were still too high.
Bunting spoke about the murder figures during an address to the Realtors Association of Jamaica Annual General Meeting in New Kingston.
The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) reported Bunting as saying that if the trend remains at the current pace, although not desirable, there is a high possibility of the murder figure for the calendar year remaining under 1,000.
This, he said, would be the first time in "many, many" years, and would represent a "psychological benchmark", the JIS reported.
Last night, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Crime Glenmore Hinds said he was pleased with the reduction and the general downward trend in all other major crimes.
"However, the fight is far from over, as the criminals are still out there; they are still brazen, as evidenced by the callous murder of young Constable James Grant on Tuesday in August Town," Hinds said.
"The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) remains resolute and will continue to work to achieve even further reductions," Hinds added. "I congratulate all the men and women of the JCF for their sterling effort in reducing all crimes."
The police division recording the biggest decrease in murders was Clarendon with 64, compared to 93 over the same period last year, a reduction of 29.
St Andrew South and Westmoreland recorded 24 fewer murders. In St Andrew Central, there we 23 less murders, while in St Catherine South the number fell by 15 and St Thomas saw 12 less murders.
Yesterday, Bunting outlined some of the major initiatives that have been undertaken to yield these results, such as beefing up police presence.
This has been done through the addition of police posts, including portable posts; and the renovation of underutilised State facilities, for use by the police, the JIS reported Bunting as saying.
He noted that the JCF fleet has been enhanced, with $1 billion spent on vehicles over the past two years, and that there has been a thrust for greater efficiency in the service the police force provides, as well as in the use of its resources.
Bunting also pointed to the recent merger of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Island Special Constabulary Force, as well as the merger of the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Task Force, and the JCF's Anti-Corruption Branch.
He emphasised the impact of legislative teeth in crime fighting, citing the passage of laws such as the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Bill (Anti-gang Bill), and the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act, commonly known as the Anti-Lottery Scam Act.
Since the law was passed last year, more than 600 persons have been arrested and charged under the anti-lottery scam legislation; and 17 under the anti-gang law, which was approved by Parliament earlier this year.
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