Crime in Jamaica explained
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
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.[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
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
Notes and References
- Web site: North and Central America and Caribbean Jamaica . Travel advice by country . United Kingdom, Foreign & Commonwealth Office . 2009-03-20 . 2009-03-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090321033507/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/jamaica . 21 March 2009 . dead .
- Web site: Crime > Murders > Per capita: Countries Compared . Nationmaster . 2009-07-04.
- Web site: Washington Post Foreign Service . Nisat.org . 2009-07-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080515155857/http://www.nisat.org/murder%20madness%20in%20jamaica.htm . 15 May 2008 . dmy-all .
- Web site: Crime and crisis in Jamaica. www.focal.ca. 2019-06-28. 30 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730212158/https://www.focal.ca/en/publications/focalpoint/307-september-2010-don-robotham. dead.
- Web site: Intentional homicide . dataUNODC . United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime . 15 August 2023.
- Web site: Intentional homicide . dataUNODC . United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime . 15 August 2023.
- Web site: MURDERS OFF THE CHARTS. Wilkinson. Bert. Caribbean Life. 2019-06-28.
- Web site: Jamaica Observer Limited. Jamaica Observer. 2019-06-28.
- Web site: Murder in Jamaica 2018 —. diGJamaica. 2019-01-24. diG Jamaica. 2019-08-27.
- https://dataunodc.un.org/dp-intentional-homicide-victims
- https://dataunodc.un.org/dp-intentional-homicide-victims
- https://dataunodc.un.org/dp-intentional-homicide-victims
- News: Chappell . Kate . Ellsworth . Brian . 2022-11-16 . Jamaica declares regional states of emergency due to gang violence . en . Reuters . 2022-12-03.
- Web site: Miller . Andrew . 2022-11-16 . Jamaica issues state of emergency in response to surging crime that includes tourist haven Montego Bay . 2022-12-03 . Fox News . Reuters . en-US . Fox News.
- Web site: Miller . Andrew Mark . 2022-11-16 . Jamaica declares state of emergency over surging crime, including tourist hot spot Montego Bay . 2022-12-03 . Fox News . en-US . NY Post.
- Web site: Jamaica Travel Advisory . 2022-12-03 . travel.state.gov.
