Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, has credited Jamaica’s significant reduction in violent crime to targeted investments in communities under the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) initiative.
He was speaking in Parliament yesterday (June17), when seeking an extension to the current ZOSO declarations in all seven communities for another 180 days until December 22, 2025. The House of Representatives approved the extension.
Minister Chang revealed that as of Monday, June 9, 2025, the country recorded 293 murders— representing a 44.7 per cent decline year-over-year.
He further emphasised that, based on Jamaica Constabulary Force data as of May 31, 2025, the declared zones have seen a 79 per cent reduction in murders and a 42 per cent decrease in shootings.
“Our investment in social transformation is a cost we are committed to paying. We will also be extending these measures to all 100 vulnerable communities across the island,” he declared.
“These are not just historic statistics on paper,” Minister Chang said. “These are Jamaican lives that are saved, livelihoods being preserved, and the future of our country being secured.”
Major crimes across the island have also decreased by 19.7 per cent, a trend the security minister attributes to the fusion of effective policing and a robust social investment strategy. Central to this is the CLEAR-HOLD-BUILD approach, which supports at-risk communities with long-term development interventions.
“It has been eight years since the first ZOSO was declared, and there can be no denying that these measures have been impactful,” Dr. Chang stated.
He added that “The people living within the Zones now have a sense of hope for their future and the future of their community”.
In addition, Minister Chang noted the government’s aggressive stance as it relates to crime fighting. He mentioned a sum of over J$2.13 billion annually has been invested through the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) in programmes aimed at uplifting ZOSO communities.
All seven declared zones—Mount Salem, Denham Town, August Town, Greenwich Town, Norwood, Parade Gardens, and Savanna-la-Mar—have received significant allocations. These include J$600 million in Denham Town, J$600 million in August Town and J$300 million in Norwood, with infrastructure upgrades planned in Parade Gardens and Savanna-la-Mar.
Photos
View album in the Gallery →