Jamaica’s crime management an inspiration to Caribbean, says Vernon
Montego Bay mayor praises fall in St James’ murder rate
Published:Saturday | August 9, 2025 | 12:06 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon this week heaped praise on the St James police for the dramatic reduction in murders in the parish.
Since the start of the year, St James has recorded 34 murders in comparison to the 83 murders recorded over the similar period last year.
With St James seemingly on course to register fewer than 100 murders for the first time in any single year since 2005, Vernon, who was addressing the annual Independence Day flag-raising and civic ceremony in the western city, attributed the decline to the police’s efforts to engage residents in St James, as well as strong leadership from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration.
“In the first half of 2025, major crimes declined by 19 per cent, and murders dropped by 40 per cent compared to last year. Jamaica is on track to record its lowest murder rate in 25 years, with fewer than 800 homicides projected for the year,” said Vernon.
“Right here in the republic of Montego Bay, our homicide rate trends closer to eight per 100,000 people, a drastic decline from over 60 per 100,000 people over the past 10 years. This is the fruit of focused policing, community engagement, and divine guidance endowed to our leaders,” said Vernon.
St James, which has for years held the dubious title of being Jamaica’s most murderous police division, has this year given way to St Andrew South, which currently leads the nation with 50 murders up to August 2.
Statistical data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force indicates that the island has recorded 405 murders up to August 2, significantly fewer than the 696 murders recorded over the similar period in 2024.
Vernon told Wednesday’s function that Jamaica’s management of crime is serving as an inspiration for other Caribbean territories.
“On the matter of crime, we acknowledge the pain of our past, one deeply rooted in the plantation culture, but we also celebrate progress,” said Vernon. “Today the Caribbean looks to Jamaica for leadership on crime management. If they can trust us, then we should trust ourselves with a government that works, as this is more reason to be proud, be bold in black, green and gold.
“Compared to other developing nations, Jamaica’s poverty rate has fallen from a significant 20 per cent in 2012, to 8.2 per cent in 2023, the lowest in our history, and it is projected to drop further. We are investing in education, security, digital infrastructure, and climate resilience, positioning ourselves as a leader in the Caribbean’s future growth framework,” added Vernon.
During Wednesday’s civic ceremony, nine persons were awarded for their contributions to the development of St James across various fields, with four of the awardees receiving the mayor’s special award.
The nine awardees from St James:
* Heather Robinson, former parish dental auxiliary coordinator, for contributing to the field of Health
* Clive Anthony Brown, businessman and philanthropist, for contributing to Community Service
* Dr Dawn Lemonius, Tourism Product Development Company training partner, for contributing to Tourism
* Everton Esmie, ground transport operator, for contributing to Commerce and Industry
* David McIntosh, JCDC Festival Queen trainer, for contributing to Arts and Culture
* Heidi Clarke, executive director of the Sandals Foundation, for contributing to Community Service
* Tricia-Ann Bicarie, regional vice-president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, for contributing to Tourism
* Twin brothers Dwayne Haughton and Vinton Haughton for their contributions to Arts and Culture. Dwayne is an immigration officer and Vinton is a musician.