Prime Minister Andrew Holness has assured that the Government of Jamaica is committed to reign in crime this year as the country grapples with the devasting start to the year.

Prime Minister Holness gave the assurance while addressing the National Day of Prayer hosted at the Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, St Catherine on Wednesday morning.

The Prime Minister revealed the plans to bolster the capabilities of the security forces specifically coastguards. He stated that plans are advanced to increase the number of army vessels which patrol the country’s waters.

“We are increasing our capacity to have domain control of our territorial waters… to stop the guns from coming in,” he said.

He also emphasised that major economic resources will be allocated towards crime prevention security initiatives.

“It’s the first time Jamaica actually has a crime plan that’s being executed and not just talk but the money behind it,” he noted.

While strident in his proposals to disrupt the crime wave, he lamented on the horrific start to the year which has so far seen at least five murders in the first five days, including two double-murders.

Mr Holness raised the point that it happened in the absence of State of Emergency (SOE), which required a 2/3 majority in Parliament to be constitutionally enacted. He believes it [SOE] could have prevented loss of life during that time.

He, however, expressed remorse and guilt for the lives lost during that time and stated the government is working to avert any further reoccurrence.

Statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) showed that the country recorded 1,463 murders last year. A 10 per cent jump from 2020’s figure of 1,132.