St. James Poised for Lowest Murder Tally in Over 20 Years
St. James is on track to record its lowest murder figure in more than two decades, with just two weeks remaining before the end of the year.
Official police data show that 52 murders had been recorded in the parish up to December 11.
That figure was confirmed by Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, the commanding officer for the St. James Police Division.
For many years, St. James was widely regarded as one of the most violent parishes in Jamaica.
At the height of the violence, the situation deteriorated to the point where Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness advised the Governor General on multiple occasions that States of Emergency were required to restore order.
Historical records indicate that the parish reached its deadliest year in 2017, when 341 people were killed within its boundaries.
In numerical terms, that single-parish total exceeds half of Jamaica’s national murder count recorded so far this year.
Progress became evident by 2024, when the parish’s murder tally fell to 121, representing a reduction of more than 50 per cent from the 2017 peak.
With the end of 2025 approaching, the decline has continued at an even steeper pace.
Statistics as at December 11 show that 52 people were killed in St. James, marking a near 60 per cent reduction when compared with the same period in 2024.
Measured against the 2017 high point, the current figure reflects an 84 per cent reduction in murders in less than ten years.
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