Published: Thursday | January 8, 2015 Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer
WITH MURDERS declining by 16 per cent last year, Jamaica appears on track to slash its homicide rate to 25 per 100,000 of the population by the end of next year, as set out in the social partnership agreement between the Government, Opposition and civil society groups.
 |
| Dr Carl Williams (right), commissioner of police, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake speak with members of the media during a press conference at the Office of the Police Commissioner on Old Hope Road in St Andrew yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Photographer |
However, the country's police chief, opting for caution amid positive statistics, is shying away from making any predictions as to whether the 2016 target will be met.
Last year, Jamaica recorded 1,005 murders - the lowest figure in a decade and 195 less than 2013 - but needs to reduce murders by a cumulative 305 over the next two years (based on a 2.8-million population estimate) to attain the target set by the social partnership.
Police Commissioner Dr Carl Williams told The Gleaner yesterday that his focus was not on setting targets, as he was aware of the criticism that would follow if they were not achieved.
"I am not about to start setting targets now," Williams said, moments after he announced, during his first press conference, that the 1,005 murders recorded last year trimmed the country's homicide rate to 36 per 100,000.
That rate suggests the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) based its figures on a 2.8-million population. more
No comments:
Post a Comment