Murders down 24 per cent

Jamaica has recorded a 24 per cent reduction in murders since the beginning of the year.

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, said as of October 6, Jamaica recorded 407 murders, compared with 534 over the corresponding period in 2025.

He pointed out that between July and September, Jamaica recorded 123 murders, the lowest quarterly figure recorded in more than three decades.

“September recorded 36 murders, the lowest monthly total in more than 30 years. It was the fourth month this year in which Jamaica recorded 40 or fewer murders,” he said. He further noted that five of the first nine months of 2026 were among the lowest monthly murder totals recorded in more than three decades.

Additionally, Chang pointed out that the first three quarters of 2026 were the lowest quarterly murder totals recorded over that period.

“Just a few years ago, 123 murders was a figure Jamaica could record in a single month. In May 2024, Jamaica recorded 134 murders. In 2017, the monthly average was 137 murders. Today, 123 murders represent an entire quarter,” he said.

“For decades, high levels of murder and violence became tragically normalised in our society. We are now seeing a sustained reversal of that trend,” he said.

Chang said the Government increased the strength of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) by investing in its people, infrastructure, technology, equipment and mobility.

“We provided our police officers with the resources they needed and the operational space to do their jobs effectively,” he said.

He also commended the JCF leadership and all Jamaican career police officers for their execution of the Government’s policies and programmes. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Jamaica Defence Force, other law-enforcement agencies, private-sector partners, international partners and the citizens who continue to support the national effort to reduce crime and violence.

“While we recognise these gains, we will not become complacent. Our responsibility now is to protect and deepen them,” he said.

He noted that the Government has invested significantly in the training and professional development of security personnel through the Caribbean Military Academy, the National Police College of Jamaica and the Caribbean Correctional Academy.