Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
BASED ON figures released by the police yesterday, Jamaica is in line for another record year of homicides. To date, more than 630 people have been murdered.
This figure is almost 200 more than the number of persons murdered during the corresponding period last year. According to a report from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), at least 38 persons were murdered last week.
William 'Bill' Clarke, president of the Bank of Nova Scotia, quoting from the latest edition of the Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica (ESSJ), noted that last year, crime increased by 14.4 per cent to 1,351 per 100,000 persons. Last year a record 1,470 Jamaicans were murdered.
He said the murder rate increased by 52.9 per cent to 55 per 100,000, and that the populations in juvenile and adult correctional centres outstrip their capacity by 48 per cent.
Mr. Clarke who was speaking at a Jamaica College Old Boys' Association function, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Wednesday night, said there was also a frightening trend in the increase in the number of teenagers between the age group, 19-24, who were involved in serious crimes last year.
"Teenagers made up 45.9 per cent of those arrested for murder, 50 per cent of those for shooting crimes and 46.5 per cent of those arrested for rape and carnal abuse, said Mr. Clarke, quoting extensively from the ESSJ.
Of the 635 persons murdered since January 63 were women, eight policemen, seven taxi operators, six children and one prisoner. The gun which was used to kill 460 persons, continues to be the most popular murder weapon.
