Over the past decade Jamaica has been struggling with the problem of increasing levels of crime and violence. At the end of 1999 the number of murders in this nation of 2.5 million stood at 849, more than twice the number two decades ago, for an estimated homicide rate of close to 30 per 100,000 people-more than twice that for certain large metropolitan cities. Since the mid-1970s successive governments have, in response to "crime waves" and subsequent massive outcries, set up numerous civilian crime commissions and task forces. In early 2005 the government extended its approach to tackle the crime conundrum through a combination of intelligence sharing, expertise, equipment and personnel from overseas. CRIKS is aimed at aiding the security forces in reducing crime and violence, more effective police services, larger number of arrests, better investigation, cases which hold up when taken before the court, and more convictions.