Sceptics question 2025 lower crime rates

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been receiving commendations in some quarters for what officials called lower crime rates in 2025.

But, while the statistics are being welcomed, some members of the public say the praise is coming too easily and without enough questions being asked. Some citizens argue that the narrative does not reflect what they heard and experienced in 2025. Donald, a 45-year-old electrician, said the dominant crime-related news in 2025 centred more on police shootings than on communities becoming noticeably safer.

"Honestly, last year, all mi really hear about was police shooting people," he told THE STAR. "Every other week is another incident involving the police. So, when you hear now that crime was low, it don't really line up with what people were seeing in the news."

"Everybody want less crime, no doubt about that," he said. "But people want to see real results for 2026, not statistics that sound like dem being used to push a political agenda."

He added that he was not convinced there was a clear crime-fighting strategy the public could point to.

"It just seem like more aggressive policing. That alone can't fix crime," he said. Donald also questioned the reliability of the figures being shared.

"Plenty people stop report things because dem feel nothing nah go come out of it. So, when statistics come out, people naturally question how accurate dem really are."

Laura, a 36-year-old Kingston native, said the commendations being given to the JCF must also consider the level of government funding that supported police operations throughout the year.

"The police didn't do it by themselves. Is government funding that give them more vehicles, more equipment and more manpower. That played a big role in how policing looked last year," she said.

Lee stressed that while resources are important, they should not be confused with long-term solutions.

"More patrols and more equipment don't automatically mean crime is under control. People want to see prevention, community trust and proper planning, not just force. We know it nah go eva be the case where people can sleep with door open but we fi feel safe inna wi community," she said.

Despite the scepticism, official data shows a notable decline in several major crime categories between 2023 and 2025. Homicides dropped significantly as Jamaica ended 2024 with 1,141 murders, down from 1,393 in 2023, a decline of about 18 per cent. By late 2025, the murder tally was reported at 649 -- roughly a 43 per cent reduction compared with the corresponding period in 2024.