What is going on? Some days it is difficult to maintain a positive attitude, especially when one reads headlines like “Murders soar“.

According to statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, there have been 40 more murders in 2013 compared to the same period last year. This translates to 860 murders so far this year. Think about it this way: as you have gone about your daily life, every day so far this year, the equivalent of three of the people you have encountered on the street lost their lives.

Here is an official statement from the Police High Command:

“We appeal to our main stakeholders to provide us with valuable support, and to our vibrant media to continue in partnering with us in educating the public on our efforts, while holding us accountable. Through this demonstration of partnership a clear signal will be sent to those who make the murdering of our citizens their business. This will not be tolerated and our resolve in pursuing and bringing them to justice will not be deterred.”

I must note that these figures and statements are obtained from the Jamaica Observer. As we speak, I am trying to source the original statistics, which the Jamaica Constabulary Force reliably posts on their web site. However, for some reason, they have only released the stats so far to the media. I am engaged in a confusing phone tag maze right now trying to locate the figures, and they seem reluctant to send them to me, despite the fact that they are public information. Will keep you posted.