Reduction in Crime Attributed to Effective Policing Strategies

Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson, says the reduction in murders and major crimes can be largely attributed to smart policing by the security forces.

He noted that a number of policing strategies implemented have been effective in significantly reducing the figures.

Statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) show that since August 11, there has been a 16.8 per cent decrease in murders, 15.4 per cent decline in shootings, 9.4 per cent fall in robberies, and 7.2 per cent drop in break-ins.

“We have implemented some particular strategies and they seem to be working, and we will continue doing that towards the end of the year,” the Commissioner said.

He was speaking with JIS News at the passing-out parade and awards ceremony for 293 newly trained constables at the National Police College of Jamaica, Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, on Friday (August 17).

Major General Anderson also acknowledged that the Zones of Special Operations, and States of Public Emergency, now in effect, have been particularly pivotal in underpinning and fuelling the security forces’ hard work and success.

On Thursday (August 16), Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, indicated that there is an active national security strategy in place, which is utilising a systematic approach to dealing with crime.

The JCF’s overall statistics for 2018 show that 797 murders were recorded between January 1 and August 11, compared to nearly 1,000 for the corresponding period last year.

The data also showed a 15 per cent decline in cases of rape, and a 22 per cent reduction in aggravated assault.