'We won’t be complacent’ - Police commend Harbour View after murders drop to one this year

The police say one murder has been recorded in the eastern Kingston community of Harbour View since the start of the year, a sharp decline from eight killings over the similar period in 2024. It also mirrors the downward trend - 40 per cent - in murders, nationally.

Deputy Superintendent Mario Pratt, head of operations for the Kingston Eastern police, gave the update during the re-launch of the Harbour View Neighbourhood Watch at Donald Quarrie High School on Saturday.

Across the wider Kingston Eastern Police Division, murders are down 61 per cent for the comparative period, falling from 49 last year to 19 since the start of this year.

“We won’t be complacent. We will continue to increase patrols and other initiatives to keep crime down,” Pratt told the scores of residents who turned out.

Superintendent Cheryl Brown, from the Police Area 4 Community Safety and Security Branch, lauded the residents, saying the re-launch of the anti-crime initiative is an indication that they are ready to take charge of their community.

“We want to say to Jamaica that we in Harbour View are ready to be our brother’s keeper,” Brown said.

Up to October 25, Jamaica recorded 559 murders this year, a 40 per cent reduction when compared with the 943 reported over the comparative period last year.

-Livern Barrett

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