News
JAM | Oct 18, 2025

‘This is the safest Negril has ever been’

/ Our Today

administrator
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Tourists walk along the famous ‘Seven-Mile Beach’ in Negril, Westmoreland. (Photo: Sheldon Levene)

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Charlene Gray-Morris says Negril is experiencing one of its safest periods in recent years with a steady decline in major crimes since January.

Addressing a press conference at the Wavz Beach Club in the resort town last Thursday (October 16), Gray-Morris, Zone 4 commander for the Westmoreland Police Division, reported a 40 per cent drop in murders.

“From January to October 16, 2024, Negril recorded 10 murders. For the same period this year, there were six, representing a decrease of four, and of that number, four have been cleared by arrests,” she informed.

In addition, she said that shootings declined from nine to five, while cases of rape decreased from three to one, with only robbery showing a slight increase, moving from four to five.

“This is the safest Negril has ever been, and we stand by that,” DSP Gray-Morris declared.

“We are achieving this success because of our relentless pursuit of criminals and wanted persons in this space, supported by increased operational activities, road policing, investigations, and most importantly, community engagements,” she said, noting that the measures have led to several arrests and convictions.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Charlene Gray-Morris, Zone 4 commander for the Westmoreland Police Division, addresses the Entertainment Venues of Negril press conference on Thursday (October 16), at the Wavz Beach Club in the resort town. (Photo: JIS)

She informed that officers have benefited from enhanced tactical and operational training introduced by the Police High Command.

“Our members are now trained at a higher level in operational support, and this has been reflected in our improved response to critical and dangerous incidents,” she noted.

DSP Gray-Morris said that the police are committed to protecting both residents and visitors who live, work, and vacation in the area, emphasising the link between safety and tourism.

“We continue to offer our service to this area, and we are committed to ensuring Negril remains safe for all,” she affirmed.

Comments

What To Read Next

News JAM Apr 1, 2026

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), recently concluded a two-day After-Action Review (AAR) workshop held from March 24–25. The workshop aimed to strengthen Jamaica’s preparedness and response systems following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

After-Action Reviews are a standard tool in emergency management, used to assess response efforts, capture lessons learned, and improve coordination, planning, and operational systems for future events. Importantly, aligning the AAR process with the International Health Regulations (IHR) ensures that the evaluation of public health emergencies meets globally recognised standards, strengthening Jamaica’s ability to detect, assess, report, and respond to health threats in a timely and effective manner.

News USA Apr 1, 2026

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a series of strengthened screening and vetting measures aimed at enhancing national security and public safety, particularly for applicants from high-risk countries.

In a statement released Tuesday (March), USCIS said its review of pending workloads and benefit applications revealed that prior screening measures were “wholly inadequate.” According to the agency, many applicants for naturalisation and lawful permanent residence were not sufficiently vetted, creating risks to national security and public safety while undermining the integrity of the immigration system.