PM again warns criminals as Jamaica makes strides in crime reduction

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has issued another stern warning to individuals involved in gangs to turn away from criminal activities or face the consequences of their actions. 

 

It comes even as the security forces continue to report a reduction in murders.  

 

He has warned especially young men not to get caught up in criminal activities.

 

"Find something else to do. If you were in it, figure out an exit plan. Transition out of it. Put dung dem tings deh. Bury the gun or better yet, turn it in. And I say this seriously because some people tek it fi joke," he insisted. 

 

Dr. Holness said the capabilities of the security forces to catch criminals have improved significantly.

 

"The security aparatus today is far more sophisticated than it has even been in the history of Jamaica. The capabilities that we are putting in our security forces are now better than the capabilities of the criminals, including our cyber capabilities. So I'm issuing fair warning, when crime go down even the criminal win because his life is likely to be spared," said Dr. Holness, who was speaking Sunday at the Jamaica Labour Party's South Central St. Catherine constituency conference.

 

He reported a 44.1% reduction in murders up to Sunday, compared to the similar period last year. 

 

The Prime Minister said close to 460 illegal guns have been seized so far by the security forces. 

 

"As of today, we have seized 459 guns...compared to last year when we seized 377. The government has made significant investment in improving the capabilities of our security forces and Jamaica Customs to find the illegal guns coming into the country," he declared.