Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
TWENTY-NINE PERSONS have been murdered during the first nine days of this month, pushing the country's homicide rate to a staggering 1,028 killed since January. The murder total is 204 more than the number of persons slain in the corresponding period last year.
Against the background of the rising homicide rate, the Opposition-affiliated Generation 2000 (G2K) has called for the resignation of National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, who they claim is unable to effectively deal with the country's escalating murders.
Yesterday, G2K said it fully supported last week's call from Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith, for the removal of Dr. Phillips.
"With over 1,000 murders since the start of the year, we are well on the way to surpassing the total number of murders for last year and the highest murder rate to date," G2K said in a statement.
Last year 1,479 persons were killed across the island. According to statistics website, www.nationmaster.com, Jamaica has the third highest murder rate in the world. The website indicates that Colombia heads the list, with 0.61 murders per 1,000 people, followed by South Africa with 0.49 per 1,000 people and Jamaica, with 0.32 per 1,000 people.
The top six is completed by Venezuela, with 0.31 per 1,000 people, Russia, with 0.20, and Mexico with 0.13.
FEWER THAN 50 PER CENT SOLVED
Of the 1,028 murders committed up to yesterday, the police have so far cleared up fewer than 50 per cent.
Last month, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields said the police were in the process of acquiring vital pieces of high-tech equipment which should help them with their forensic investigations.
He was speaking during a Life of Jamaica-hosted function at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on July 29. DCP Shields said the new equipment should also help the police clear up the back log of unsolved cases.
