Crime in Jamaica
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[]
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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[]
- Jamaican posse
- The Harder They Come
- Yardies
References[]
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Crime > Murders > Per capita: Countries Compared". Nationmaster. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
- ^ "Washington Post Foreign Service". Nisat.org. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
- ^ "Crime and crisis in Jamaica". www.focal.ca. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Jamaica votes for death penalty". BBC. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
- ^ Wilkinson, Bert. "MURDERS OFF THE CHARTS". Caribbean Life. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ diGJamaica (24 January 2019). "Murder in Jamaica 2018 —". diG Jamaica. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- Crime in Jamaica