Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson
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Major General Antony Anderson, speaking at Jamaica Constabulary Force press briefing on Tuesday
Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson has expressed concern about a worrying trend of multiple murders.
General Anderson told a media briefing Tuesday afternoon that 147 people were murdered in September, making it one of the bloodiest months so far this year.
There were 19 incidents of multiple murders in September alone - 18 double murders and a triple murder.
He said, so far this year, there have been 99 incidents of multiple murders, resulting in 218 victims.
General Anderson said the police believe the trend is reflective of the ease with which more criminals are able to acquire guns and ammunition.
"Unlike the police who are constrained in the use of lethal force when bystanders are around, these criminals couldn't care less who they maim, kill or hurt," the commissioner lamented.
He added that in several of these incidents, there were multiple intended targets, while others who seemed to have been innocent bystanders were actually associated with the targets.
As such, General Anderson reiterated the warning that "if you're associated with or are related to gunmen, then you're at great risk of becoming a victim of gun violence".
He also pointed out that criminals, in their attempt to escape a crime scene, "will spray bullets on other persons gathered" if they are challenged.
Major crimes up
Major crimes have increased by 3.8 per cent as at the end of September.
Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson said murders are up eight per cent compared with the same period last year.
Some 1,171 people have been murdered in Jamaica to date.
This is 86 more when compared with the same period last year.
Robberies and break-ins are also on the increase, with robberies up 17 per cent and break-ins up seven per cent.
However, shootings have declined by six per cent.
584 firearms seized
The Police Commissioner reported that 584 illegal firearms have been seized up to the end of September.
This is an eleven per cent increase over last year.
Shotgun seizures are up by 111 per cent, while rifle seizures have increased by 58 per cent.
General Anderson said pistol seizures are up by eight per cent and the seizure of submachine guns has risen by 42 per cent.
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