Bunting hopes low crime trend continues

KINGSTON (CMC):

National Security Minister Peter Bunting says he is encouraged by reports of fewer murders in Jamaica so far this month, and is hoping that the trend continues to the end of the year.

Police figures show that 28 people have been murdered here so far this month, down from 43 for the same period last year.

"Given that the year started with a spike in murders with a year-to-date increase of more than 20 per cent by March, it is clear that work has gone into tackling crime," Bunting said in a statement Tuesday.

OPTIMISTIC

The national security minister said he remains optimistic that Jamaica, which recorded 1,125 murders last year, will end the year with a significant reduction in serious crimes.

So far this year, 673 people have been murdered here.

In his statement, Bunting also congratulated the security forces, reminding them that the focus must continue to be reducing all crimes.

He pointed to the decline in murders in several communities, particularly in the central parish of St Catherine that had been high on the police radar since the start of the year. He attributed the decline to the continued deployment of police and army personnel.

Bunting called on citizens to continue to cooperate with the security forces and provide information regarding criminals and criminal activity in their communities.

He also urged those facing domestic strife and tension in their households to seek early intervention and not try to resolve disputes through confrontation.

The police statistics show double-digit reductions in reported cases of murders and shootings during July. There was a 16.3 per cent decline in murders when compared with the corresponding period in 2011.