Murders are down in nine of the country’s 19 police divisions so far this year when compared to the similar period from last year.
In Kingston Central, where murders were surging just over a month ago, the murder rate has been halved.
Across the country, murder are down by just under 6-percent.
The crime figures were revealed in the latest Crime Statistics published by the JCF, for the period January one to February 5.
According to the Constabulary, shootings have declined by 23 per cent. This follows the JCF’s recent efforts to find illegal firearms.
Hykel Nunes has more in this report.
Last month more than 100 illegal firearms were seized across the island. Eight days into the second month of the year, murders have decreased by 5.5 percent, when compared to the same period last year.
The country recorded 156 murders, 9 fewer than at this time last year.
Murders have decreased in at least nine police divisions across the island. Kingston Central ended last year with the one of the highest number of murders.
However, so far this year murders have decreased in the division by 50 per cent when compared to the same period last year. A Zone of Special Operations, ZOSO, was declared in Kingston Central on January 9 in response to a spate of killings.
Murders are also down in St. Andrew South by a massive 57 per cent. St. Elizabeth also began the year with a significant 60 percent drop in murders.
However, 10 police divisions have seen an increase in murders. Westmoreland tops the list with at least 12 more murders, than the same period last year.
Shootings across the island have decreased by 23 per cent. The country has recorded 112 shootings in comparison to last year’s 146.
There has been a 62 per cent reduction in the number of rape cases across the island.
Robberies have also declined by just under 14 per cent and break-ins have declined by almost 18 per cent.
