St. Andrew North records zero murders in first quarter as major crime falls 65 per cent

St. Andrew North ended the first quarter of 2026 with no recorded murders, part of a wider downturn in serious offending that senior Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) officials attribute to coordinated policing, public-order work and resident cooperation.

Area 5 Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police Howard Chambers and St. Andrew North Superintendent Randy Sweeney said the division has gone 138 days without a murder since December. Reported reductions for the period include an 81 per cent fall in murders, an 83 per cent drop in shootings, a 90 per cent decline in rape, a 65 per cent cut in robbery, a 73 per cent decrease in break-ins and a 54 per cent reduction in larceny—an overall 65 per cent decrease in major crime.

Sweeney described St. Andrew North as one of the force’s most diverse divisions, spanning urban areas such as Constant Spring and Barbican and rural communities including May Pen, Irish Town, Grants Pen and Garden Town, with six divisional borders. He said results stem from combining JCF strategies—focus deterrence, intelligence-led policing and community-based policing—rather than any single measure, and stressed that trust underpins the effort. "This is something that I have analyzed on numerous occasions, and it comes to trust," he said.

Chambers said the figures motivate officers and residents across Area 5, where every division has achieved a 100 per cent murder clear-up rate—identifying suspects, arresting them and laying charges. He credited rapid response, quick coordination meetings among portfolio heads and manager walk-throughs that put leaders on the ground with communities.

Increased Beat Officer Patrol Division presence in areas such as Manor Park and along Constant Spring Road has improved confidence among shoppers and businesses, Sweeney said. He acknowledged ongoing reckless-driving complaints on Constant Spring Road and Red Hills Road, noting deployments follow analysis and public feedback, and urged motorists with dashcam footage—especially showing licence plates—to contact the traffic unit.

Stolen vehicles remain a concern in rural sections linked to chop-shop activity, sometimes extending to other parts of Area 5 such as Point Hill. Sweeney reported roughly a 50 per cent reduction in motor-vehicle larceny last year and about 58 per cent in the current period through target-hardening and timed patrols. He advised motorists to use tracking devices, steering locks, neighbourhood-watch and citizens-association links, and home camera systems with motion sensors.

Chambers urged St. Andrew North personnel to sustain the momentum through the rest of the year, saying the year-end mandate remains within reach with citizens still engaged.