Police vehicle in the streets of Jamaica

Some areas of Jamaica, particularly population centers such as Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town, experience high levels of crime and violence.[1] Jamaica has had one of the highest murder rates in the world for many years, according to United Nations estimates.[2] Former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson described the situation as "a national challenge of unprecedented proportions".[3]

Murder rate

When Jamaica gained independence in 1962, the murder rate was 3.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest in the world.[4] In 2021, Jamaica had 1,474 murders, for a murder rate of 52 per 100,000 people,[5] the highest murder rate in the world.[2]

Jamaica recorded 1,680 murders in 2009.[6] In 2010, there were 1,428, in 2011, 1,125. 2012 saw 1,097, 2013, 1,200. 2014 totaled 1,192, 2015, 1,450, 2016, 1,350 and 2017, 1,616.[7] 1,287 murders were reported in 2018.[8]

Year Total Murders
2009 1,680
2010 1,428
2011 1,125
2012 1,097
2013 1,200
2014 1,005
2015 1,208
2016 1,350
2017 1,616
2018 1,287
2019 1,332
2020 1,301
2021 1,474

Emergencies

On November 15, 2022, the Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a state of emergency for certain regions of Jamaica because of rising crime rates.[9] Some areas affected by the measures include the capital Kingston, and the popular tourist destination of Montego Bay.[10][11] This followed a travel warning from the U.S. State Department suggesting travelers to not travel to certain areas of the country due to crime rates.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "North and Central America and Caribbean Jamaica". Travel advice by country. United Kingdom, Foreign & Commonwealth Office. 20 March 2009. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Crime > Murders > Per capita: Countries Compared". Nationmaster. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Washington Post Foreign Service". Nisat.org. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  4. ^ "Crime and crisis in Jamaica". www.focal.ca. Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Intentional homicide". dataUNODC. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  6. ^ Wilkinson, Bert. "MURDERS OFF THE CHARTS". Caribbean Life. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  8. ^ diGJamaica (24 January 2019). "Murder in Jamaica 2018 —". diG Jamaica. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  9. ^ Chappell, Kate; Ellsworth, Brian (16 November 2022). "Jamaica declares regional states of emergency due to gang violence". Reuters. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  10. ^ Miller, Andrew (16 November 2022). "Jamaica issues state of emergency in response to surging crime that includes tourist haven Montego Bay". Fox News. Reuters. Retrieved 3 December 2022 – via Fox News.
  11. ^ Miller, Andrew Mark (16 November 2022). "Jamaica declares state of emergency over surging crime, including tourist hot spot Montego Bay". Fox News. Retrieved 3 December 2022 – via NY Post.
  12. ^ "Jamaica Travel Advisory". travel.state.gov. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
Category