APR 08, 2011 - THERE has been a 44 per cent drop in the number of murders committed over the first three months of 2011 when compared with the similar period last year, according to police statistics.

Minister of National Security Dwight Nelson, announcing the double-digit decline yesterday, said that a total of 238 murders were committed in the first quarter — 188 fewer than the 426 committed last year.

He was speaking at a press conference called jointly by the national security ministry and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) at the Police Officers' Club on Hope Road in Kingston.

Breaking down the figures, Nelson explained that police divisions in the Corporate Area saw reductions well above 50 per cent.

Some of the stand-out areas, he said, included the St Andrew North Police Division, which saw a 78 per cent reduction in murders; the often troubled St Andrew South Division recorded a 58 per cent decline; Kingston Central and Kingston Western both saw 60 per cent declines, while Kingston Eastern recorded a 50 per cent reduction in murders.

Meantime, the St Catherine North and South divisions recorded declines of 31 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively, which the ministry attributed to increased police operations in the areas.

Some rural parishes also recorded significant declines in murders in the first quarter of the year. St James, for example, saw a 50 per cent reduction, Clarendon's murder figure dipped by 55 per cent, while Westmoreland had a 32 per cent decline. Portland recorded no incidence of crime over the period.

Nelson said that the Government was determined to cut the figures even further.

"While we are thankful for the reductions, we will not sit on the laurels of comfort. We are determined, and I'm sure the JCF and JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) agree, to slash the crime rates," the minister said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Operations Glenmore Hinds said that the JCF's anti-gang strategy — which categorises and targets gangs in all divisions with the aim of reducing their threat level, then dismantling them — significantly contributed to the drop in murders.

He also said that increased police presence on the streets and the ability to seize assets from gang-related activities under the Proceeds of Crime Act played a role.

Yesterday, it was also announced that cases of shootings fell by 38 per cent, while carnal abuse and break-ins declined by 25 per cent and 14 per cent respectively in the first quarter.

Source:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Murders-drop-44-in-first-quarter_864...