Crime reduction measures working, PM Holness tells diaspora

   

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has sought to assure members of the Jamaican diaspora that strategies to reduce the crime rate have been working.

 

Jamaica's high level of violent crime has been highlighted by the diaspora as an area of concern.

 

Addressing the second day of the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay, St. James on Tuesday, Mr. Holness said the government has taken a multi-faceted approach to the problem, without violating human rights. 

 

"Our murder rate is now about 10 per cent below what it was last year this time, and we experienced a similar reduction last year. Our strategy is to continue to push that homicide rate downwards. The number of gangs that threatened us have been basically cut in half. We have dismantled many of the violence-producing gangs," he touted. 

 

Mr. Holness said there have been significant investments in technology to improve the crime fighting capabilities of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

 

He appealed to the diaspora to not be offended when donations or expertise are not accepted. 

 

"I know there was some concern where members of the diaspora offered to assist with technology and computers and so forth, and it may have created some dissonance in the offer being made versus the acceptance. The truth is that our security forces have created an ecosystem where you have to be very specific with technology that you introduce to it. So it's an entire ecosystem. So a donation of one thing here might not necessarily fit within that ecosystem and we have to protect that ecosystem," he sought to explain. 

 

Mr. Holness also highlighted massive investments in infrastructure, cybersecurity and protecting the country's borders.