KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government’s multifaceted approach to tackling crime, including social transformational initiatives, strategic investments in technology and infrastructure, and legislative changes, yields dividends.
During the debate on the 2024/25 national budget, Holness told legislators on Thursday that there has been a sharp reduction in major crimes, resulting in the country’s lowest rate in 24 years.
Holness said Jamaica recorded a 10 percent reduction in major crimes, including murders, shootings, rapes, robberies, aggravated assault, and break-ins in 2023, when compared to 2022, noting that this downward trend has continued in 2024.
“Notably, the number of active gangs in Jamaica decreased by approximately 36 percent in 2023 to an estimated 176 gangs, down from an estimated 276 known gangs in 2018. That is a massive reduction,” he told legislators.
Earlier this week, Jamaica’s new police commissioner, Dr Kevin Blake, assumed office amid grim statistics that the island recorded 31 murders last week, pushing the murder toll so far this year to 223 as compared to 252 for the same period the previous year.
Figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) showed that for the period January to March 16, Jamaica recorded 223 murders, with last week’s figure of 31 killings pushing the murder toll over the 200 figure up from the previous week of 192.
Last year, Jamaica recorded 1,393 murders, 118 fewer homicides than during 2022.
Holness told Parliament that former police commissioner Major General Antony Anderson can claim meaningful progress and success in transforming the JCF in the areas of organizational leadership, structure, doctrine and culture, infrastructure and technology, and operational strategy and tactics.
“We are now beginning to see the positive impact of the transformed JCF as a force for good. Let me express our appreciation and commendation to Major General Antony Anderson for a career of effective leadership and sterling service to Jamaica’s National Security. I also welcome Dr. Kevin Blake, our new Commissioner, and task him to continue the transformation of the JCF,” Holness added.
Prime Minister Holness said his administration continues investing significantly in the JCF’s transformation.
To this end, the government continues to build out the JCF’s human resources to keep ahead of attrition and commensurate with the law-and-order challenge through a robust recruitment and training program for more than 2,000 officers.
The government said an additional 280 cameras will be procured and installed in downtown Kingston under the “JamaicaEye Programme.” An estimated J$650 million (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.008 cents) is being invested in the JCF’s mobile radio and microwave data networks to improve its communications infrastructure, thereby increasing islandwide coverage from 67 to 90 percent by 2028.
“We continue to upgrade and renew the JCF’s fleet, procuring over 1,600 motor vehicles to date. Twenty-nine police facilities are slated for renovation this financial year, with investments amounting to approximately $460 million under the Project ROC initiative, which is aimed at converting all police stations into modern, citizen-friendly workplaces,” Holness said.
Construction is also scheduled for the St. Catherine North Police Station and the Westmoreland Divisional Headquarters.
Holness indicated that the government’s social intervention programs in communities affected by high crime rates are mainly affected by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) under the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs).
He said these are designed to be long-term interventions that will focus on improving amenities, infrastructure, and human resource development in the designated communities. He told legislators that the physical and social transformation in many of these spaces is evident.
Holness mentioned the rehabilitation of just over 17.5 kilometers of roadways and the buildout of water and drainage infrastructure in Mount Salem, Denham Town, Greenwich Town, and August Town, which cost more than J$750 million.
Seven primary schools in Denham Town, Greenwich Town, and Mount Salem have also been rehabilitated at approximately J$138 million.
Two primary schools are currently being rehabilitated in August Town, and three have also benefited from creating safe passages, which are essential for students to traverse main corridors to and from school.
Holness said the Zones of Special Operations had successfully reduced murders in the seven designated communities, namely Mount Salem, Denham Town, Greenwich Town, August Town, Norwood, Parade Gardens, and Savanna-la-Mar.
He told Parliament, “These communities collectively recorded a 40 percent reduction in murders when we compare pre-ZOSO figures of 2017 with 2023.”
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