GOOD NEWS JAMAICA : Serious, violent crimes drop by 32 percent for the period of January 1 to April 2.....Murder has been down by six percent and shootings by eight percent, Robberies are down by 33 percent, while break-ins have seen a 46 percent reduction within the mentioned period.

Friday, April 08, 2016  

THERE has been a 32 per cent reduction in serious and violent crimes for the period of January 1 to April 2, when compared to the same period last year, based on statistics released yesterday by the Statistics and Information Management Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The figures, however, showed that murder has been down by six per cent and shootings by eight per cent, the only two showing declines in single figures.

File Photo Of Security in Jamaica

Robberies are down by 33 per cent, while break-ins have seen a 46 per cent reduction within the mentioned period. Other violent crimes have also seen reductions across the board to include rape, which has been reduced by 39 per cent, larceny by 60 per cent and aggravated assault by 36 per cent, cumulatively accounting for the 32 per cent reduction in serious and violent crimes.

Two hundred and seventy-two murders have been reported to the police during the January 1 to April 2 period, compared to the 288 murders that took place during the same period in 2015.The St James Division has achieved a 10 per cent reduction in overall major crimes while other divisions, which have, in previous years, seen spikes in serious crimes, have also attained reductions.

The Clarendon Division had an overall reduction of 24 per cent in serious crimes, of which there was a 35 per cent reduction in shootings and 67 per cent reduction in larceny-based offences. Additionally, the St Catherine North and St Catherine South Divisions have both reduced major crimes by 46 per cent.

The parish, which has achieved the highest overall reduction of major crimes, however, is St Elizabeth with a staggering 66 per cent reduction, while the parish with the least number of reported serious crimes is Hanover with 25 compared to 35 the previous year. The Kingston Eastern Division has the second lowest reported major crimes totalling 27, compared to 52 for the same period last year.

The police said firearms continue to be the weapon of choice in murders, accounting for 197 of the 272 reported to the police since the start of the year, while knives account for 36 of the murders committed. Ten murders were committed using machetes while other weapons accounted for 29.

There has also been a decline in the number of children who featured in the murder statistics this year compared to last year. Seven children have been murdered since the start of this year compared to 20 who were murdered at the same time last year.

“The police continue to strengthen operational activities across the island to seize illegal weapons and dangerous drugs and apprehend wanted persons in a bid to create safer communities,” the constabulary said in a release yesterday.