Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang. Photo: Internet Source

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang spoke to the issue during a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

"We have adopted a highly systematic approach to disrupting criminal gangs and targeting high-risk criminals. This approach involves closely monitoring ongoing conflicts and maintaining detailed records of individuals engaged in criminal activities in order to build strong, robust case files for prosecution.”

“For instance, of the first set of high-risk targets identified under this strategy of ‘Focused Deterrence’, two-thirds are now before the courts, about 20 per cent have fled the country and the others engaged the police in armed confrontations and met their demise,” said Chang.

"Additionally, the security forces are actively tracking more than 150 unresolved conflicts and over 300 individuals across the country,” he disclosed.

Chang, who is also the deputy prime minister, noted that 1,141 murders were recorded last year, a reduction of over 260 murders or 19 per cent when compared to 2023. 

"This translates to a murder rate of approximately 40 per 100,000, placing Jamaica about seventh highest among all the Caribbean countries. While this is still unacceptably high, we must acknowledge the significant progress made,” he stated.

The security minister said it was important to highlight that the current murder figure remains below the 1,208 recorded in the calendar year 2015, “a figure we inherited upon taking office in February 2016”. He said the country was approximately 31 per cent below the peak recorded in 2017.

“It must be pointed out that when we assumed office in 2016, the country was already experiencing a significant 20 per cent increase in murders. The peak experienced in 2017 was, therefore, inevitable, as it was the result of a retaliatory spiral based on the nature of our murders. However, we have taken decisive steps to reverse that trend,” he argued.

He told the House that the impact of the Government’s deliberate and consistent focus on providing the security forces with the tools and manpower needed to undertake their critical mission of keeping the country safe and secure is now being felt.

“We have adopted a highly systematic approach to disrupting criminal gangs and targeting high-risk criminals,” he said.