Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake says the 18 per cent reduction seen in the country’s homicide rate is one of the most significant outcomes for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) this year.

“This represents a major step forward in enhancing public safety and reducing the devastating impact of violent crime on our society. Such a reduction does not occur by chance; it is the result of deliberate strategic planning and execution driven by the commitment of the men and women of the JCF, supported by partnerships from across all sectors of society. This achievement is a testament to what is possible when we work together with determination to tackle criminality head-on,” Blake underscored.

As of Saturday, December 28, Jamaica had recorded 1,138 murders, according to the latest crime statistics from the JCF. This marks an 18.5 per cent decrease compared to the 1,397 murders recorded in 2023.

The parishes with the highest murder tolls were St James (125), Westmoreland (100), the St Andrew South police division (118), and St Catherine North (94).

There has also been a decline in other serious crimes, including shootings, rape, break-ins, and persons injured.

“When we examine the trends of overall major crimes more closely, shootings are down by 10 per cent, there has been a 25 per cent reduction in rape, robberies have reduced by 21 per cent, while we have seen a 1 per cent drop in break-ins. At the start of the year, the high command asked more of every member of the force, and through a collective effort, there has been a 14 per cent reduction in overall major crimes thus far in 2024.

Our ability to maintain law and order has been significantly bolstered through enhancements to our policing capabilities. A key initiative in this has been the launch of the beet officer patrol division. What began in Kingston and St Andrew has expanded to 12 divisions, with 361 members, including 184 from PSTEB [The Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch] headquarters, deployed in Jamaica’s urban centres,” Blake noted, adding that beet officers have played a crucial role in deterring criminal activities while maintaining trust with the public through their engagement with the business community.

Blake also highlighted that the JCF’s intelligence community has been instrumental in apprehending high-risk offenders, which remains central to its strategies moving forward. He issued a stern warning that the force’s resolve will not waver in apprehending criminals.

While acknowledging the strides being made to reduce murders in some parishes, Blake agreed that there is a need for targeted strategies to sustain progress in some parishes while addressing emerging concerns in others. This was the case for the parish of Manchester, which saw a 17 per cent uptick in murders this year.

Additionally, some 736 illegal guns were removed from the nation’s streets, with some 433 being seized from assailants.

“These cases demonstrate our commitment to lawful and measured policing focused on justice through the legal system. We cannot allow the narrative to focus solely on fatal shootings when the evidence overwhelmingly shows that the police strive to preserve life and uphold the rule of law. Let us not lose sight of the reality as we move towards a safer Jamaica for all,” Blake said.

He however noted that there are some who continue to question the integrity of the data being presented by the JCF, which he has hit back at arguing that the statistics presented by the JCF ‘do not lie’.

“They are rigorously compiled, analysed, and transparently shared with the public. To cast doubt on these figures is to erode the trust and confidence that we have painstakingly built over time. Such a narrative serves only to benefit the criminals who thrive in an atmosphere of doubt and mistrust. Let us not allow misinformation to diminish the progress we have collectively achieved. Transparency remains a cornerstone of the JCF’s approach to public accountability,” he said.

Blake said the force’s credibility is non-negotiable, as it forms the foundation of the trust it builds with the public and its partners. He urged continued partnership with the JCF to tackle crime.