January murders down 8%
published:
Friday | February 22, 2008
Statistics released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have revealed that there was an eight per cent decrease in murders recorded in January when compared to the corresponding period last year.
One hundred and thirty-seven Jamaicans had their lives taken from them for the month. This was 12 fewer than the figure for January 2007. The metropolitan region of Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine continued to lead the way in the figures, wracking up 82 deaths. The St Catherine North Police Division recorded 20 murders, which represented an 82 per cent increase when compared to the corresponding period. The St Johns Road area, which is located in the division, has flared up again with several deaths being reported since the start of the year.
The figures for the rural area showed 55 deaths with the parish of St James having 16 deaths followed by Clarendon with 15 deaths. The parish of Clarendon has seen a spike in murders since the start of the year and police statistics confirm the trend showing a seven per cent increase.
Decrease in shootings
There was also a one per cent decrease in shootings for the month with 115 incidents for January when compared to 114 for the same period last year. Gun crimes continued to be a problem with that being the weapon of choice in 81 per cent of the murders.
Despite the decrease in murders and shootings, the figures for robberies and break-ins both recorded 28 per cent increases.
Yesterday, Opposition spokes-man on national security, Dr Peter Phillips, welcomed the downturn in the figures and called for an intensification of reform within the JCF and the passing of laws to benefit crime fighting.
"Everyone is concerned about the issue of crime and violence and there has been a reported downturn and we hope for that to be sustained," he told The Gleaner.
