Murders down in all police divisions except St Ann

Murders are down in all police divisions except in St Ann, which is seeing an increase in homicides year-on-year.

The country has 19 police divisions.

As of October 4, the St Ann Police Division recorded 48 murders, which is eight more or a 20 per cent increase over last year for the period under review.

The division, however, runs second to St Andrew South, which leads the nation with 61 homicides so far this year.

The top five are rounded out by St Catherine South 45, St James 44 and St Catherine North 43 murders.

The data, which was released Monday by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, indicates that though the division leads the country in murders, it is currently 21 per cent below last year’s numbers.

Meanwhile, Jamaica ended last week, September 27 - October 4, in double figures with 11 murders.

The week prior also ended with 11 murders.

Prior to the general election held on September 3, Jamaica had experienced several weeks of single-digit murders.

The overall murder toll, as of October 4, is 522.

This is a 41 per cent reduction year-on-year.

Last year, around this time, 883 people were killed.

Also, last year, Jamaica averaged 23 murders per week and ended the year with 1,141 homicides.

This current week started off on a bloody note with a quintuple murder in Linstead, St Catherine on Sunday.

The Gleaner understands that on Sunday night, a total of 13 people were shot, six fatally, in separate incidents across two police divisions.

- Andre Williams

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