According to statistics released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 628 persons have been murdered across the island up to the end of May 2009. This figure, though startling, represents a decrease from the corresponding time last year when 688 persons had been murdered.

Though last month's figure was a decline from the number of persons murdered in May 2008, it represents the highest figure so far this year. Next to this was April's figure of 122.

So far, this year's statistics are encouraging as they represent a steady decline in murder for most months when compared with the corresponding period last year. In February and April, however, the figures for 2009 surpassed those of last year. In February 2008, 104 persons were murdered while this year's figure was 116. The murder tally for April 2008 was 119 while for April 2009, it was 122.

Both the figures for January 1 to May 31 2008 and 2009, however, are frighteningly high when compared with those for that period in 2007. Up to May 31, 2007, 589 persons had been murdered.