Jamaica has seen a notable decrease of 24 percent in homicides during the six-month period from November 2023 to April 2024 compared to the previous half-year. Dr. Horace Chang, the National Security Minister, highlighted this decline during his address in the Sectoral Debate, attributing it to the nearly full capacity of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
Dr. Chang emphasized the reduction in gang-related violence, citing a decrease in gang activity and size, as well as the disruption of several major gangs and the apprehension of contract killing groups by law enforcement.
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Despite these advancements, he acknowledged that the homicide rate remains high due to conflicts within smaller, less organized gangs and interpersonal disputes in the criminal underworld, often carried out through drive-by shootings.
“Gang wars, which are predominantly based on conflicts over turf, have been significantly reduced across the island. The police’s assessment indicates that the number of gangs across the country has been considerably reduced and they are now smaller and less organised,” said Chang.
Looking ahead, Dr. Chang expressed optimism about sustaining the downward trend in murders, noting a 15 percent decrease in 2024 following an eight percent reduction in the previous year.
“We expect to maintain this downward trend going forward,” said Chang, adding that “If we had the full use of the strong and effective legislative tool, that is the state of public emergency, as we were building the capacity of the force, we would have saved hundreds of lives”.
He lamented the opposition’s reluctance to fully utilize legislative measures like the state of public emergency, which he believes could have prevented numerous fatalities. Despite this setback, Dr. Chang affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing security measures and policies to ensure the safety of Jamaican communities.
He said “That is a matter clearly impatient of debate. We note the failure, of those on the other (Opposition) side, to operate responsibly and allow the police to function most effectively to save Jamaican lives. Nevertheless, we will persist with our investments and policies, and we are confident that with the required supporting legislation, we can look towards continued improvement in safety and security in our communities.”
