St James murder count hits 34 mid-year, 47.8% above 2025 pace

St James has recorded 34 homicides so far this year, a sharp jump from 23 during the same period last year, pushing the parish back to the top of Jamaica's murder rankings.

St James murder count hits 34 mid-year, 47.8% above 2025 pace

St James has racked up 34 homicides by mid-2026, a steep climb from the 23 logged during the same stretch in 2025 — a 47.8 per cent surge that has returned the western parish to its position as Jamaica's most lethal policing division.

Divisional commander Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels had set an internal goal of keeping killings at 50 or below for the full year, after the parish managed to drive its 2025 toll down to 58 from 124 in 2024. Speaking at Thursday's monthly St James Municipal Corporation meeting, he insisted his team can still reverse the trend. "We are putting more activities in place and we definitely will see the numbers trending back in the right direction," he said.

The latest breakdown shows interpersonal disputes accounting for 12 of the year's killings, with gang violence linked to 11, criminal activity to nine, and two cases still undetermined. Domestic conflict remains a particular concern for the division.

Samuels said officers are expanding community policing and steering people with disputes toward the Dispute Resolution Foundation. He also identified several hotspots receiving intensified attention, including Orange, Barrett Town, Flanker, and the town centre.

The community of Retirement has seen recent flare-ups, including two homicides tied to a scrap-metal feud. On Wednesday, four men were shot dead during an alleged confrontation with security forces conducting targeted operations in the area.

Samuels urged councillors and other stakeholders to help address underlying community issues, noting that many problems extend beyond policing. Once known as the island's bloodiest division, St James had shed that label in 2025 when three other divisions posted higher murder counts. It has now reclaimed it, with St Andrew South second at 22 killings.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Source: Google News JM — Crime