Jamaica has seen a notable decline in crime this year, with murders down 18% as of November 30, 2024, compared to the same period last year.
Despite this progress, the island remains the second most violent nation in the Caribbean, trailing only Haiti, a country devastated by extreme violence following the 2021 assassination of its president.
According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the nation recorded 1,060 murders in the first 11 months of 2024, 228 fewer than the 1,288 murders reported during the same period in 2023. This continues a troubling trend of more than 1,000 murders annually for the past five years. Over this period (2019–2023), Jamaica documented 7,027 murders, ranking second in the region behind Haiti’s 10,610, as highlighted in data published by Statista.com on November 18, 2024.
The reduction in crime has been attributed to intensified anti-gang efforts and intelligence-led strategies, which the government credits for dismantling gang networks and curbing violence in hotspot areas. St. James, Clarendon, and Kingston West have seen murder rates drop by 32%, 39%, and 30%, respectively. More than 2,750 anti-gang operations in 2024 have resulted in the seizure of 667 illegal firearms, with 383 recovered directly from suspects.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness lauded the efforts, stating in a November 4 press release, “Our national security investment and intelligence-led approach target key figures in gang violence, leading to substantial declines in gang activities and major crimes.”
However, Jamaica’s persistently high crime rates have prompted the U.S. State Department to maintain its Level 3 travel advisory, urging visitors to “reconsider travel” due to violent crime. The advisory highlights issues such as frequent armed robberies, sexual assaults, and a lack of prosecution for many violent crimes.
Regional context: Comparisons across the Caribbean
Jamaica’s violent crime statistics are starkly contrasted by those of other Caribbean nations. In 2023, Haiti recorded a staggering 4,789 murders, far exceeding Jamaica’s total. The Dominican Republic, a much larger nation, reported 1,237 murders in 2023, while Trinidad and Tobago had 577, Puerto Rico 464, and The Bahamas 110.
Over the five-year period, the Dominican Republic documented 5,785 murders, Trinidad and Tobago 2,553, Puerto Rico 2,857, and The Bahamas 500, according to data from Statista.com and official government reports. Barbados, with 162 murders between 2019 and 2022, remains one of the region’s safest nations, reflected by its Level 1 travel advisory (“Exercise Normal Precautions”).
While Jamaica saw a year-to-date decline in murders, other Caribbean nations have experienced increases. The Bahamas recorded an 8% rise in homicides this year, while Trinidad and Tobago’s murder rate climbed 13%. Even Barbados, typically a low-crime country, saw a 125% surge, with 45 murders reported as of mid-November, nearing its 2019 record high of 48.
Jamaican authorities are urging citizens to play a role in tackling crime. “We need every citizen’s support,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang. “Our strength lies in our unity, and we must work together to ensure a secure and peaceful Jamaica for generations to come.”
The government remains optimistic about further progress, saying it is “dedicated to dismantling gang influence and making a safer Jamaica for all. Every step taken, every firearm seized, and every life saved marks progress toward a peaceful, productive and prosperous Jamaica.”
