Jamaica reports 100 murder cases, decline in rapes, assault & break-ins

Jamaica has crossed the ratio of 100 murders since the beginning of the year as the nation has reported almost 122 cases of homicides till February 17. The information has been shared by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on the basis of latest serious crimes updates.

However, the island nation has experienced a reduce in the murders on yearly basis as during the same time on last year, the Jamaica Police Force have reported 163 murders.

According to the crime report of JCF, there were total 39 homicides committed in the two-week period of February 3 to 17. Adding to the facts, the details of the homicide cases, which were reported in different constituencies are as follows,

• St Catherine South division recorded 13 cases
• St James noted 20 cases of Homicides
• St Catherine North, 9
• St Ann, St Andrew Central and Clarendon reported 8 cases of murders, respectively

Moreover, there is a spike in the shooting cases by 18 per cent and more than 18 cases have been counted for the injured persons year-on-year. Fortunately, the JCF has added that there is a decline in rape, robbery and break-in cases as compared to the previous year.

Additionally, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued a statement regarding the increase of crimes and urged zero tolerance for the criminal activities during an address at the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) 19^th Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference.

While talking about the crimes, PM Holness said that there is a decline in major crimes including shooting, rapes, assault or break-ins cases but despite the fact, the violent nature of the crimes are increasing.

He ensures the public that the authorities are trying every possible in their power to tackle the crime situation in Jamaica and he expressed his commitment to reduce the flow of crimes as soon as possible.

Moreover, PM Holness assured that his government is taking even greater steps to deal with the problem of illegal export of firearms which risk the life of citizens and affect the integrity of the nation at large.

Recently, JCF has issued its criminal report during the end of January, stated that there is 20 percent decline in the murders. It indicated that the murder tally rose to 19 last week, which brought the total to 65 as of January 27.

Amid a drop in murders, one of the latest police serious crimes statistics observed that all divisions across Jamaica have recorded homicides.