70 killed in Jamaica in three weeks, but murders down 16 per cent

The bloodletting across the country resulted in 70 people being killed in three weeks in Jamaica from August 3 to 24, according to the latest police crime statistics. 

The murder toll stood at 762, as at August 24. 

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in the latest update of serious crime statistics to be published on its website in three weeks, reported on Sunday that murders are down 16 per cent year on year. 

In the previous update on August 3, the murder toll stood at 692 across all 19 police divisions. 

The latest murder figure represents 143 fewer homicides than for the corresponding period in 2023 when 905 murders were recorded. 

St James, 90; Westmoreland, 66; St Andrew South, 61; St Catherine South, 59; and St Catherine North, 54, are the five divisions with the most homicides since the start of the year.

Portland has the fewest with seven.

All other divisions are in double digits.

Shootings are down three per cent, with 21 fewer incidents than for the corresponding period in 2023.

Injured persons, rapes, robberies and break-ins are also on the decline.

During the period August 3 to 24, the nation was rocked by two mass shootings in separate police divisions.

On August 11 in the community of Cherry Tree Lane in Clarendon, 19 people were shot, eight fatally.

And last week on August 20, in Point Hill district, St Catherine, a similar onslaught took place at the wake for entertainer Christopher Martin's grandmother.

It was reported that eight people were shot, one fatally.

Investigations are ongoing in both incidents.

- Andre Williams

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