Jamaica Records Deadliest Week of the Year With 18 Murders, Police Statistics Show

The first week of February saw a sharp spike in killings after several weeks of lower homicide counts, though overall murders remain down year-over-year.

By: Haitian prime News |Jamaica|February 2026

Jamaica recorded its deadliest week since the start of the year during the first week of February, with 18 murders reported islandwide over a seven-day period, according to the latest serious crime statistics released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The figure represents a notable increase following several consecutive weeks in which homicide numbers remained in the single digits. The sudden rise has raised concerns among residents and security observers, even as authorities emphasize that broader crime trends still point to improvement.

Police data indicate that overall homicides are down by approximately 40 percent compared to the same period last year, suggesting that the recent spike may be an outlier rather than a reversal of longer-term declines. Officials have not yet disclosed detailed geographic or investigative breakdowns of the killings.

Security analysts caution that week-to-week fluctuations are common in violent crime data, but stress that sustained reductions depend on continued intelligence-led policing, targeted operations, and community-based prevention efforts.

The latest figures are expected to intensify national discussion around public safety, law enforcement effectiveness, and social intervention strategies as Jamaica works to maintain momentum in reducing violent crime.

Sources

Jamaica Gleaner, “18 murders recorded last week, homicides still down 40 per cent”

Jamaica Constabulary Force, Serious Crime Statistics (February 2026)