In his monthly digital pressing briefing on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, Commissioner of Police Anthony Anderson commented that although children often fall victim to the monster of crime, they are also responsible for some of the most serious crimes on the Island.
He stated that Jamaica’s children had been fingered this year and charged with 875 significant crimes, including 79 murders. Some children booked with more than one charge.
Here is the breakdown:
- Murders–79
- Shooting–66
- Rape—–175
- Firearm breaches–256
- Break-ins–175
- Robbery—89
- Aggravated assault–65
Further, the Commissioner stated:
“In recent weeks, we’ve been dissecting the crime figures and looking more closely at perpetrators and victims. When we examine children as the perpetrators of major crimes, some concerns emerge,” the top cop continued. “These individuals if we do not act collectively are getting into an early career of violence and crime. We are bringing this to the nation’s attention because as a society we have to decide how we’re going to save them.”
He added that the pandemic of violence in the country is hurting children. But while they are often victims, they are also perpetrators.
No reasonable person can deny that the statistics on crime related to children are troubling. But I need help to imagine what the Commissioner or the government can do to help bring those numbers down. Somebody once said, ‘Never say never,’ but it appears this horse has left the barn.
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