Crime in Jamaica

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some areas of Jamaica, particularly cities such as Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town, experience high levels of crime and violence.[1] Jamaica has had one of the highest murder 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 2005, Jamaica had 1,674 murders for a murder rate of 58 per 100,000 people.[5] That year, Jamaica had the highest murder rate in the world.[2] In November 2008, the Jamaican Parliament voted to retain the death penalty, which is performed by hanging.[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 and 2017, 1,616.[8] 1,287 murders were reported in 2018.[9]

Year Total Murders
2009 1,680
2010 1,428
2011 1,125
2012 1,097
2013 1,200
2014 1,005
2015 1,208
2016 1,350
2017 1,616
2018 1,287
2019 1,332
2020 1,301
2021 1,463

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "North and Central America and Caribbean Jamaica". Travel advice by country. United Kingdom, Foreign & Commonwealth Office. 20 March 2009. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Crime > Murders > Per capita: Countries Compared". Nationmaster. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Washington Post Foreign Service". Nisat.org. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  4. ^ "Crime and crisis in Jamaica". www.focal.ca. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Crime, violence and development: trends, costs, and policy options in the Caribbean" (PDF). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. p. 37. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
  6. ^ "Jamaica votes for death penalty". BBC. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
  7. ^ Wilkinson, Bert. "MURDERS OFF THE CHARTS". Caribbean Life. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  9. ^ diGJamaica (24 January 2019). "Murder in Jamaica 2018 —". diG Jamaica. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
Retrieved from ""