KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for St Thomas Eastern, the Jamaica Labour Party’s Dr Michelle Charles is lauding the security forces for what she says is a 38 per cent decline in major crimes across the constituency this year, when compared with 2023.

Dr Charles mentioned the security situation in her constituency during her contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives earlier week.

She noted that this year, a total of 46 major crimes have been recorded across the four police jurisdictions of Morant Bay, Port Morant, Golden Grove and Bath. There were 74 major crimes committed during the corresponding period in 2023.

“This represents a decrease of 28 or 38 per cent,” Dr Charles highlighted.

She gave a breakdown of the crime situation in the constituency as follows:

— Three murders across the four police jurisdictions up to December 8. There were seven murders in the corresponding period last year.

— There were 20 break-in offences recorded this year compared to 26 in 2023.

“So as St Thomas Eastern develops we see crime and violence trending downwards. Let me acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and sacrifices made by the police department. Your commitment to keeping our community safe is invaluable,” Dr Charles said.