JLP has better record in crime fighting
Published:Tuesday | January 7, 2025 | 12:19 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
This is a general election year where cost of living, crime, and corruption are the three major issues. Looking at the recent statistics, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will have the advantage in fighting crime. Pointing out the numbers is not playing politics or bias with crime but pointing out facts and reality.
These are the statistics for both JLP and the People’s National Party (PNP) administrations from 1989 to 2024 :
• In 1989, there were 439 murders; in 2006, murders stood at 1,340 and in 2011 murders stood at 1,125.
• In 2015, the murder rate stood at 1,192 and in 2024, murders stood at 1,139.
When comparing the PNP administration from 1989 to 1997 to the JLP 2016 to 2024, it is clear by the numbers that murders remain stable at under zero per cent increase while the PNP two-term gave over 100 per cent increase as 1997 murders stood at 1,037, which was the first time crime statistics saw over 1,000 murders.
The PNP could argue that their administration was the last administration to have crime under 850 murders since 1989 as murders stood at 849 and the only administration since 2004 to have murders under 1010 . In 2014, that feat was achieved with 1,005 murders. The 2010 Tivoli incursion and its aftermath is the major reason for crime reduction from 2011 to 2015 .
According to the numbers, the JLP are better crime fighters. Some will argue it is based on luck while others will argue that it is based on policy. It is very sad that when statistics are pointed out and both parties’ track record in dealing with crime is compared. Some would argue that people should stop playing politics with murders .
TEDDYLEE GRAY
Ocho Rios, St.Ann