No murder recorded in Jamaica on Sunday

 

Jamaica recorded no murder on Sunday. 

 

It's the second time in just over a month that police are reporting a 24-hour period without a single homicide. 

 

The last lull in murders was recorded between 5:45 p.m. on May 5 and 5:45 p.m. on May 6. 

 

Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips, head of the Area 5 Police, made the announcement at the thanksgiving ceremony for nine-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon on Monday while challenging the public to work with the police in taking decisive action to weed out offenders. 

 

"Continue to pray for the nation. We had a murder-free day in Jamaica and the police are celebrating. I stand before you, still with a heavy heart, to pay tribute to the life of Kelsey. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our children feel safe, loved and protected. We are prioritising and paying special attention, extraordinary attention to every single case involving our children. You saw that we were committed to conducting a thorough and diligent investigation into Kelsey's murder. And there was no doubt around our findings as to the person who was responsible. Crime cannot flourish in a community that cares," he declared. 

 

Several volatile communities have maintained a zero-murder record for an extended period, including Norwood in St. James and Greenwich Farm in St. Andrew. 

 

The lull also comes amid sweeping weapons and ammunition seizures by the police. 

 

If current trends continue, the National Security Ministry anticipates that the country could end 2025 with fewer than 800 murders, an achievement not seen in decades.