Murders have declined across all of Jamaica’s 19 police divisions except St Ann, which is recording a year-on-year increase in homicides.
As of October 4, the St Ann Police Division reported 48 murders, representing an increase of eight cases, or 20 per cent, compared to the same period last year. Despite this rise, the division ranks second to St Andrew South, which leads the country with 61 homicides so far this year.
The remaining divisions rounding out the top five are St Catherine South (45 murders), St James (44), and St Catherine North (43).
According to the latest data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), while St Andrew South has recorded the highest number of murders, its figure is actually 21 per cent lower than last year’s count for the same period.
Nationwide, Jamaica recorded 11 murders between September 27 and October 4, matching the total from the previous week. Before the September 3 general election, the country had experienced several consecutive weeks of single-digit murder counts.
Overall, Jamaica’s murder toll stands at 522, reflecting a 41 per cent decline compared to the 883 murders recorded during the same period last year. In 2024, the island averaged 23 murders per week and ended the year with 1,141 homicides.
However, the new week began violently, following a quintuple murder in Linstead, St Catherine, on Sunday. That night alone, 13 people were shot — six fatally — across two police divisions.
