Over the previous 5 years, Jamaica has persistently ranked because the second most murderous Caribbean nation, surpassed solely by Haiti – a nation rocked by excessive violence, together with beheadings, chopping and burning of our bodies, because the homicide of its president in 2021.
The latest knowledge, printed on November 18, 2024, printed by way of Statista.com spotlight Jamaica’s ongoing challenges with violent crime, persistently recording greater than 1,000 murders for the five-year interval.
Homicide statistics to this point printed by the Jamaica Constabulary Drive (JCF) present that Jamaica recorded 1,060 murders within the first 11 months of 2024.
As at November 30, there have been 228 fewer murders – a discount of 17.7 per cent – in comparison with the corresponding interval final yr.
In 2023, Jamaica recorded 1,393 murders, rating second solely to Haiti’s 4,789 amongst Caribbean nations. Different notable figures for 2023 embrace the a lot bigger Dominican Republic with 1,237 murders, Trinidad and Tobago with 577, The Bahamas with 110, and Puerto Rico with 464. Information for Barbados in 2023 was unavailable.
Over the five-year interval from 2019 to 2023, Jamaica documented 7,027 murders, once more second solely to Haiti’s 10,610. The Dominican Republic recorded 5,785 murders in the identical interval, whereas Trinidad and Tobago had 2,553, The Bahamas 500, and Puerto Rico 2,857. Barbados recorded 162 murders between 2019 and 2022.
In keeping with the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 619 ladies and 6,445 males had been murdered in Jamaica over the 5 years below overview. STATIN’s whole of seven,069 murders differs barely from Statista’s determine of seven,027 – a discrepancy which will stem from variations in knowledge assortment or reclassification of circumstances after homicide investigations. STATIN’s knowledge is compiled from the JCF numbers.
The excessive degree of crime in Jamaica has influenced its journey advisory standing. The US State Division has positioned Jamaica at Degree 3 (‘Rethink Journey’) as a result of crime, with the latest replace issued on July 25, 2024. The advisory additionally alerted guests to considerations concerning the island’s medical providers.
“Violent crime happens all through Jamaica. Vacationer areas usually see decrease charges of violent crime than different components of the nation. The murder fee reported by the Authorities of Jamaica is among the many highest within the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are widespread,” learn an excerpt from the advisory.
It additionally mentions that circumstances are sometimes prosecuted to a remaining verdict.
Compared, Haiti, with its considerably increased homicide fee, is listed at Degree 4 (‘Do Not Journey’), as of September 18, 2024. Trinidad and Tobago shares Jamaica’s Degree 3 designation, whereas the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas are at Degree 2 (‘Train Elevated Warning’). Barbados, with the bottom advisory degree, is at Degree 1 (‘Train Regular Precautions’).
Puerto Rico, as a US territory, shouldn’t be included within the advisory system.
SOURCE: Jamaica Gleaner
