Murders are down by 36 percent in St. Mary.

Operations Officer for the parish, Deputy Superintendent Ricardo Beckford, provided the update to Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, who was on a recent visit to the Weeping Stairs community.

DSP Beckford also told the Prime Minister that all other major crimes are trending down.

According to the JCF’s crime data, fourteen homicides were recorded in St. Mary between January 1 and October 31.

That’s nine fewer than the 23 recorded in the corresponding period last year.

DSP Beckford says the police have also been making progress in clearing cases, including those from previous years.

DSP Ricardo Beckford, Operations Officer for the St. Mary police division.