Police Commissioner signals continued push to target gangs

 

By Clinton McGregor  

 

 

Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake is warning that the police force will continue to target gangs and gang leaders as part of its strategy to achieve its goal of less than 600 murders for 2026. 

 

Last year, the country recorded 673 — the lowest in 31 years. 

 

Speaking on Radio Jamaica's Hotline on Wednesday, Commissioner Blake said gang violence continues to contribute to most of the homicides recorded on the island.

 

"You know how trend line goes; very rarely you have a large drop in a trend line. Things usually, you know, gradually go up or gradually go down with little blimp here and there. Now, what is interesting in achieving this is the nature of the violence over the years, especially murder, is predominantly gang related. And the nature of gang related murders usually comes with continuing incidents - so we have reprisals. Now, when you have 474 persons who are not killed, it means there is at least 474 reprisals, possible reprisals that you don't have to deal with this year," he explained. 

 

He said the Jamaica Constabulary Force had a 92 per cent clear up rate in murders last year - the best in the region.