Latest police crime figures show slowing murder rate

The latest crime statistics are indicating that the spiral in the country's murder rate has eased, with homicides now at 2.8 per cent above last year.

Figures just released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force show that 327 persons were killed between January 1 and March 24, compared to 318 over the same period last year.

This indicates a significant slowdown in the murder rate, whose percentage rate of increase averaged between the high teens and low 20s during the first two months of the year.

In addition, with the exception of larceny and robbery, all other categories of serious crimes have decreased over the period.

The number of shootings decreased by 0.7 per cent, moving from 287 in 2017 to 285 this year.

The figures for rape show a 15.2 per cent decrease, dropping from 105 to 89 over the period under review.

The regularity of break-ins also slowed, shifting downwards from 311 last year to 282 this year.

In the meantime, the St Andrew South Police Division showed the highest increase in murders at 310 per cent. Between January 1 and March 24, the division recorded 41 murders compared to 10 during the same time last year.

The Kingston East Division is next with 15 homicides over the period, a 150 per cent increase when compared to the six last year.

The usually quiet rural parishes of Portland and St Mary recorded a 100 per cent increase in murders.

For Portland, two persons have been killed since this year. This is compared to one last year.

In St Mary, the number of murders doubled to 12 this year.

The western parish of St James, which is currently under enhanced security measures, continues to show a decrease in murders.

The figures show that there have been 17 homicides so far, compared to 56 over the same time last year.

In the St Catherine North Police Division where enhanced security measures were enforced last week Sunday, murders moved up from 32 last year to 49 this year, representing a 53 per cent increase.