Last year, all law-abiding citizens hoped for the crime rate to go down, and for the New Year, they are still hoping for a significant reduction in crimes, or most of all, for Jamaica to be crime free.

A man whose only son was shot dead after he was robbed at home last year is hoping that no parent will have to go through what he went through last year. He said he was still grieving the loss of his son and would be doing so for the rest of his life.

"We hear about people being killed and we sympathise and call for the government and the police to curb the increase in crime, but we never really realise what is happening until it lands on our doorstep," he said.

"Yes, it was really a shock when I got a phone call that my son had been killed by robbers. I fainted and had to be rushed to hospital. The criminals who go about robbing, raping and killing innocent people must know that when they do these things, they are also hurting the relatives and families who are left behind.

"My son was the sole breadwinner for his family and now, other relatives have to assist in supporting his wife and three children. Although we complain about the downward turn in the economy in our country, to tell you the truth, right now, I would have preferred that my son was out of a job and was still alive," he said.

A woman whose husband was shot dead by robbers last year said her only wish for this year is that there will be an end to murder and other crimes.

"My husband was a very kind and loving man, and it is very sad that his life came to an end in such a horrible and tragic manner. He was about to enter his motorcar when he was robbed of his cell phone and his wallet and then fatally shot. Some days, I just feel like giving up because life has become so difficult for me.

"This year, I am just pleading with the criminals to put down the guns and find something useful and productive to do. I know jobs are hard to get, but there must be something useful they can do with their lives. A lot of young men are in prison for gun crimes and I don't believe that young men should throw away their freedom ... they can achieve a lot through education and hard work.

"The man who murdered my husband was held by the police and is now in custody awaiting trial. I hope he will be convicted and sent to prison for a long time. I would like to know what is the maximum sentence he can get if he is convicted," she said.

The maximum sentence for murder is life imprisonment, but the judge, in passing sentence, will stipulate how many years a murder convict must serve before he can be eligible for parole.