Prime Minister Holness Issues Stern Warning to Criminals as Jamaica’s Murder Rate Continues to Tumble
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued a strong message to criminals: “Abandon your illegal activities and take advantage of a changing Jamaica, one where crime is falling and peace is rising.”
Jamaica is currently recording a 35-year record low murder rate.
Prime Minister Holness revealed that murders in Jamaica are down by 44.1% when compared to the same period last year.
This remarkable decline, Dr. Holness says, reflects the success of the Government’s deliberate and sustained investment in national security.
“Ten years ago, Jamaicans would have been of the view that murders would never come down in Jamaica and that we will always be a violent country. But look at us now. We have put in place a plan to secure Jamaica; we invested in our security forces, we improved their technology, we changed leadership and doctrine, we increased the number of officers and their mobility, and now we have a police force of which we can be proud,” Prime Minister Holness stated.
As at June 8, 2025, a total of 713 prohibited weapons have been seized across the island, a significant increase from the 377 seized during the same period last year.
The Prime Minister credited the enhanced capabilities of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Customs Agency in intercepting illegal weapons at the country’s borders.
Dr. Holness also emphasized the Government’s efforts to equip the security forces with advanced tools and intelligence. These have begun to produce tangible results where the police are outpacing the capabilities of criminal networks.
“The security apparatus of the country today is far more sophisticated than it has ever been in the history of Jamaica. The capabilities that we are putting in our security forces are now better than the capabilities of the criminals, including our cyber capabilities,” Prime Minister Holness said.
In an appeal to individuals involved in gangs and criminal activity, the Prime Minister urged them to rethink their path.
“Change your ways. Find something else to do. If you are in it, figure out an exit plan. Transition out of it, and turn in your guns,” warned Prime Minister Holness. “When crime goes down, even the criminal wins because his life is likely to be spared, and he has an opportunity to do something else.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that community transformation cannot begin until violence is reduced.
The Government remains resolute in its mission to secure Jamaica, ensure justice, and foster a society where every citizen can live free from fear.