THE COUNTRY'S murder rate climbed to more than 600 last weekend but, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Leslie Green, this figure is 157 less than the same period last year.
Speaking Monday night at the Victoria Mutual Building Society's (VMBS) Marriage and the Family Series, ACP Green told the gathering that 602 murders were committed up to Saturday.
"It is a long way to go, but a reduction in murder is an important step to building safe communities," he said.
ACP Green attributed the reduction in murders to officers patrolling, listening and working with communities on a 24-hour basis.
Addressing the gathering under the theme 'Aware, Bold, Determined ... Families Protect Each Other From Crime', ACP Green said if the police force is to work effectively, communities must provide information in partnering against crime.
"Policing cannot work in isolation. It will benefit everybody if the police can be trusted," he said. "Trust hotlines are available because it is that that is driving down the figures."
According to ACP Green, Jamaica is a safer place, but the citizens and police would have to continue to work together to reduce the murder rate.
