Jamaica’s murder rate has decreased by 17% as of August 15 this year compared to a similar period in 2023.
But preliminary statistics show that three of the nineteen police divisions have recorded increases in murders by more than 30% over the period.
Shaloy Smikle tells us more.
The 17% decrease in murders as of August 15, represents 149 fewer people killed in 2024, when compared to the corresponding period for 2023.
That’s 878 murders in 2023 compared to 729 for the same period in 2024.
The St. James Division has seen the largest percentage decrease, falling by more than 35%.
That’s 44 fewer people murdered compared to a similar period in 2023.
Similarly, the Hanover and St. Ann police divisions both show a decrease in murders in excess of 30%.
With the exception of five, all other police divisions recorded declines in murders of between seven and 29%.
However, of the five divisions where increases were reported, St. Andrew Central saw the highest percentage increase of 58%.
That’s moving from 31 murders for a similar period in 2023 to forty-nine in 2024.
That’s 18 more people killed for the review period.
This is followed by St. Elizabeth, St. Andrew North, Trelawny, and Manchester, which show an increase in murders ranging from thirty-three to fifteen percent.
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