Ninety-one per cent of Jamaicans believe crime and violence has become more of a problem in the last six months, according to the latest Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll.

This period saw a sustained, and at times increased, tempo of violent acts committed across the island.

More than 800 persons were killed in the six-month period of December 2007 to May 2008, with the month of May being the bloodiest in the island's recent history with more than 190 persons killed.

More of a problem

The poll revealed 87 per cent of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters and 96 per cent of People's National Party (PNP) supporters shared the view of crime being more of a problem.

Only two per cent of Jamaicans viewed crime as becoming less of a problem, with six per cent constituting JLP supporters and one per cent being PNP supporters.

The poll, which was conducted on May 31 and June 1 among 1,008 persons in 84 communities islandwide, has a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent.

Forty-six per cent of Jamaicans pinpointed the absence of jobs as the primary cause for the recent rise in crime and violence in Jamaica, while 14 per cent indicated poverty as the main cause.

Cost of living on the rise

With the cost of oil and corn on the world market spiralling to new records, pushing the cost of living to unprecedented proportions, seven per cent of Jamaicans saw the increase in the cost of living as the major factor. With more than 800 guns seized last year by the police, five per cent of Jamaicans believed that the availability of guns has caused the recent rise, while four per cent saw corrupt politicians as the cause.

The poll also revealed that 20 per cent of Jamaicans believe that the Bruce Golding-led JLP government is to be blamed for the increase in crime and violence in Jamaica today. Thirty-nine per cent of PNP supporters hold that sentiment while three per cent of JLP sympathisers believed they were to blame.

On the other hand, 49 per cent of Jamaicans believe the JLP government is not to be blamed for the increase, with 77 per cent JLP supporters and 24 per cent PNP supporters holding that view.