Lowest all year for seven-day period

JAMAICA – For the first time all year, Jamaica last week recorded single-digit murders during a period covering seven days. For the week of december 21-28, the country recorded nine homicides, according to data published this morning by the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The murder toll as at december 28 is 1,038, which represents a decline of 19 per cent or 259 fewer homicides year-on-year.  A week prior, over the period of december 14 -21, the country recorded 15 murders and had been averaging 22 murders per week leading up to the Yuletide season. Three police divisions have recorded 100 or more murders this year.

They are St James 125, St Andrew South 118 and Westmoreland 100. St Catherine North 94 and St Catherine South 83, round out the top five divisions with the most homicides. Portland remains the lowest with only 13. Fifteen of the country’s 19 police divisions have recorded a decline in murders this year. Shootings, injured persons, rape and robbery are down year-on-year. Break-ins, however, have increased modestly with six more reports year-on-year. (Jamaica-Gleaner)