20 fewer murders reported so far this month, which is welcoming

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang has admitted that Jamaica’s murder rate for 2021 is climbing, even while seeking to defend the Government’s primary anti-crime initiative which he claims is working.

Chang reported that zones of special operation (ZOSOs) located in Denham Town, West Kingston; Mount Salem, St James and Greenwich Town and August Town in St Andrew were on Tuesday (April 13) extended for a further 60 days.

Chang, who is also Jamaica’s deputy prime minister, pointed out that, as at April 13, the country’s murder rate was 4.3 per cent ahead of the corresponding period in 2020. He was however quick to point out that so far April 2021 has seen 20 per cent fewer murders than reported in April 2020.

In moving four resolutions in Parliament for the ZOSOs extension, Change explained that, “this downward tendency is welcome. I am mindful that it is a short timeframe and therefore, would not consider it a trend, but it is the result of some very hard work and commendable investigations by our police officers”.

Significant decline in serious crimes

He reported that there has been a significant decline in serious crimes with a marginal increase in shooting incidents. T

The nNational Security Minister disclosed that rape is down by 47.5 per cent; robbery, showing a17.6 per cent decline while break-ins have been reduced by 27.3 per cent.

He further reported that there has been a significant decline in serious crimes with a marginal increase in shooting incidents. The deputy prime minister noted ZOSOs continue to provide a whole-of-government response to the social challenges facing the communities in which they operate.

“It is being strategically applied to reduce crimes while preserving life and respecting citizens’ rights wherever it is declared. In time, this principle will be applied across the island, to all similarly challenged communities,” Chang said.

According to him, ZOSOs have proven to be instrumental in securing the right to life for all citizens, building confidence in legitimate state structures and re-establishing an overwhelming sense of citizenship instead of fear.