Murders Continue Downward Trend

Jamaica’s national security landscape continues to show marked improvement, with the downward trend in murders recorded in 2025 continuing into the new year.

Data for the first 12 days of 2026 reveal a significant reduction in crime, with 12 murders reported across the island.

“We still want to get it lower, but think about what that trajectory would lead to at the end of the year. Remember, over 1,600 murders… that is where we’re coming from,” said Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon.

She was addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston on Wednesday (January 14).

Minister Morris Dixon emphasised that Jamaica’s achievement of a 31‑year low of approximately 673 murders in 2025 should be celebrated.

“As Jamaicans, we need to celebrate this 43 per cent reduction in murders, 32 per cent reduction in shootings [and] 17 per cent reduction in overall crimes,” she pointed out.

She stressed that the Government and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will continue to work to ensure that the gains of 2025 continue into 2026.

“The security forces have worked so hard, and we have seen the results,” Dr. Morris Dixon added.