St Catherine North Police Division records first murder-free month in 29 months

For the first time in 29 months, Jamaica’s St Catherine North Police Division recorded a full calendar month without a murder. August ended with no homicides, marking a milestone highlighted by the division’s commanding officer, Senior Superintendent of Police Hopton Nicholson.

Nicholson disclosed the result during a special management meeting at the DOME of the Spanish Town Police Station. He said the division also recorded a 42% reduction in murders during the period, its lowest number since the division was established 30 years ago.

“

For the first time in 29 months since I’ve been the divisional commander, this division recorded a calendar month with zero murders.

The commander cautioned against treating the figures as merely a favourable crime statistic. “Behind every reduction in murder is a life potentially saved. A family spared unimaginable pain. A child who does not have to grow up without a parent. A community given a greater opportunity to live, to work and to prosper in peace,” he said.

“

Behind every reduction in murder is a life potentially saved. A family spared unimaginable pain. A child who does not have to grow up without a parent. A community given a greater opportunity to live, to work and to prosper in peace.

Nicholson credited police personnel, intelligence officers, investigators, operational teams and communities for the result. The division has increased public-order enforcement in town centres and along major roads, while expanding police visibility in areas considered vulnerable to crime and violence. “Our approach is to prevent violence before it occurs,” he said, adding that officers should remain “present, visible and ready to respond”.

Anti-gang operations will continue, with police targeting people and groups involved in gang-related activity. Nicholson said the objectives are to disrupt operations, dismantle networks, reduce their capabilities and bring those responsible before the courts. He also described regular engagement with citizens, community leaders, businesses and other stakeholders as essential, saying effective policing cannot be achieved by police alone.

“

Our approach is to prevent violence before it occurs.