Jamaican officials celebrate a decrease in murder rates this year, marking two decades of progress. Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake announced that between January and April 2025, murders dropped by 37% amid a broader 18% decrease in major crimes. However, rights advocates, including the Jamaican for Justice group, express deep concern over a 152% surge in fatal police shootings during the same timeframe. They call for accountability measures, including body-worn cameras, emphasizing the need for balance between crime reduction and the protection of human rights as Jamaica grapples with its notorious homicide rates.
But the human rights group Jamaican for Justice has raised concerns about a corresponding significant and alarming increase in fatal police shootings in the same period.
These are not just statistics. Each number represents lives saved, communities stabilised, and a signal that the tide is turning, he said.
According to Jamaica's police complaints authority, the Independent Commission of Investigations, 111 people were fatally shot by security forces between January and April 2025.
Dr Kevin Blake, the police commissioner, said in a statement...an 18% decline in overall major crimes, and murders are down by 37%.
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