No comparison between Jamaica and Singapore

THE EDITOR, Madam:

On January 3 the National Security Minister, Dr Horace Chang, was being interviewed on Nationwide 90FM about the welcoming news of crime reduction in Jamaica last year. He commended the security force and spoke about several factors that may have contributed to the 19 per cent reduction in homicides compared to the same period in 2023.

During the discussion, he made reference to the United States and Singapore’s per capita incomes. I did not get the gist of that reference but I was flabbergasted by his utterance that Singapore has crime. While true, I feel compelled to put context to that statement.

In 2023, there were 1,397 murders in Jamaica (population: 2.84 million; size: approx 11,000 square kilometres). In 2024, the murder rate fell to 1,138 which is no doubt positive news.

In 2023, Singapore recorded four murders (population: 6.04 million; size: approx 734 square kilometres). That figure jumped to 10 in 2024 creating alarm among the authorities.

My point here is that when you look the murder rate for Singapore, a tiny country that can fit into Jamaica almost 15 times, and a population that more than doubles that of Jamaica, I don’t think it’s fair to use Singapore as a reference country while talking about crime because there is absolutely no comparison.

What we need to do is to find out exactly what Singapore is doing right and get serious about emulating them. It may not be a small feat but taking the first step is important as long as the journey doesn’t involve any significant roadblocks or reversal of the current trends.

As a Jamaican who share homes between the two countries, it pains me to think about my contrasting life experiences because they are beyond compare in favour of Singapore. Yet, despite that, I still harbour that lifelong dream of Jamaica becoming the paradise that we all fantasise about.

The question is – will that ever happen?

JANETTE CLARKE