Portmore, St. Catherine – January 8, 2026: Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has known as on Jamaicans concerned in felony exercise to show away from violence, emphasizing that the nation’s battle towards crime is much from over, regardless of a file decline in murders final 12 months.
Talking on the annual ‘Heal the Household, Heal the Nation’ Nationwide Day of Prayer service at Energy of Religion Ministries, Holness straight appealed to criminals and gunmen to “save yourselves” by abandoning crime.
“Flip away from violence. Put away the gun. In truth, flip it in. Save yourselves,” Holness mentioned, addressing each politicians and church members.
The prime minister acknowledged the historic milestone of fewer than 700 murders recorded in 2025, a determine not seen in Jamaica for over three many years. Whereas he described the achievement as a turning level, he warned that sustained effort could be required to take care of the beneficial properties.
Holness highlighted the progressive decline in violent crime over the previous three years: a 7% discount in 2023, 19% in 2024, and a 42% drop in 2025. He famous that the nation is approaching the regional common of 15 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, at the moment estimated between 20 and 25 per 100,000.
“We are able to get there if everybody owns it, retains praying for it, however greater than that, retains working for it,” Holness mentioned.
Whereas gang-related violence accounted for greater than 70% of murders, the prime minister warned that different types of violence stay entrenched, together with home disputes and juvenile delinquency. He urged the church to play a extra energetic position, not solely by way of prayer but in addition by way of counselling, steering, and diversion applications.
“There are numerous children in communities who may very properly be within the church choir as they could possibly be in a gang. It is just as a result of the gang reached out to them and never the church choir that they’re within the gang,” Holness defined, calling for an “military of the church” to assist redirect youth away from felony exercise.
Holness additionally outlined authorities initiatives aimed toward addressing each organized crime and societal points that contribute to violence. He emphasised the significance of family-centered insurance policies and parental involvement in training, stating that values cultivated at house straight affect the character of younger folks.
“Ninety-five per cent of those that are doing the killings and those that are killed are younger males. It pains my coronary heart to see our younger males being killed. So I pray for them to cease killing and I pray for them to avoid wasting themselves,” the prime minister mentioned.
The service additionally included prayers for parishes affected by Hurricane Melissa, for continued reductions in crime, and for peace, unity, and blessings throughout Jamaica.
