Jamaican authorities tout reduction in gang related murders

Last Updated on Thursday, 8 January 2015, 21:29 by GxMedia

San Juan, Jan 8 (EFE).- Jamaican authorities announced Thursday a significant reduction in gang-related murders in 2014, attributing the drop to a strategy aimed to dismantling criminal groups across the island.

“Our investigative strategies, which targeted the most prolific violence producers, contributed to the arrest of numerous murderers, including those in the quadruple murder in Bog Walk in October of last year as well as the triple murder in Rockfort,” Police Commissioner Carl Williams said.

He said the number of gang-related killings fell from 932 in 2013 to 600 last year.

Police also seized 632 illegal guns in 2014 and incidents of gun violence declined from 882 to 714, the Jamaica Constabulary Force said in a statement.

The anti-robbery initiative, which involved a high visibility police presence in shopping areas, also contributed to the decline in murders, Commissioner Williams said.