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KINGSTON, Jamaica, April 22, 2019 (CMC) – The number of people killed in Jamaica, so far this year, stood at 406, as at the end of April 20, according to figures, released here.
The data showed that fewer people were murdered this year, as against the same period, last year, when 447 people were killed.
However, the police reported that shootings increased, with 413 cases being reported, up to last Saturday, compared to 394, for the similar period, last year.
The figures also show, that following the lifting of the state of emergency in January — in St. James, a suburban parish, located on the north-west end of the island — 48 people have been killed, as compared to 29, for the similar period in 2018.
St. James is also leading all other police divisions, in relation to murders. It’s followed by St. Andrew South and Westmoreland, with 43 each; St. Catherine South, with 40; and then Clarendon and St. Andrew Central, with 37 each.
The police figures also show that there has also been a significant decrease in the number of fatal police shootings, since the start of the year. The latest statistics show that there were 27 such shootings by the police, up to April 20. That’s 14 fewer than the 41 fatal shootings, recorded for the similar period in 2018.
There has been two fatal shootings, by security guards, and seven by licensed firearm holders.
The police data also indicated that there were 47 fewer reported cases of rape, and 16 fewer cases of aggravated assault.
