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Crime in Jamaica

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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 intentional homicide 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

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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 2022, Jamaica had 1,508 murders, for a murder rate of 53.34 per 100,000 people,[5] the highest murder rate in the world.[2][6]

Jamaica recorded 1,680 murders in 2009.[7] 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, 2017, 1,616 and 2018, 1,287.[8][9] 1,508 murders were reported in 2022.[10]

Year Total rate per 100,000 people[11] Total intentional homicides[12]
2009 61.82 1,683
2010 52.93 1,447
2011 41.26 1,133
2012 39.93 1,102
2013 43.34 1,202
2014 36.09 1,005
2015 43.26 1,209
2016 48.31 1,354
2017 58.65 1,647
2018 45.84 1,289
2019 47.62 1,340
2020 47.26 1,333
2021 52.13 1,474
2022 53.34 1,508

Emergencies

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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.[13] Some areas affected by the measures include the capital Kingston, and the popular tourist destination of Montego Bay.[14][15] 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.[16]

See also

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References

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  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. ^ "Intentional homicide". dataUNODC. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  7. ^ Wilkinson, Bert. "MURDERS OFF THE CHARTS". Caribbean Life. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  9. ^ diGJamaica (24 January 2019). "Murder in Jamaica 2018 —". diG Jamaica. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  10. ^ [1]
  11. ^ [2]
  12. ^ [3]
  13. ^ Chappell, Kate; Ellsworth, Brian (16 November 2022). "Jamaica declares regional states of emergency due to gang violence". Reuters. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "Jamaica Travel Advisory". travel.state.gov. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
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