National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang says the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) have aided significantly in the reduction of murders.

He made the statement, as he noted that as of Monday June 16, Jamaica is seeing a 44.3% reduction in murders compared to the same period last year.

The ZOSOs were first declared eight years ago.

Dr. Chang added that the ZOSOs have provided the greatest benefit to the island’s most challenged communities.

He said communities such as Mount Salem in St. James have been transformed.

In the meantime, the Security Minister noted that $2.13 billion is spent annually on programmes run by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

According to him, this disproves any claim that the government is not investing in social intervention programmes.