Prime Minister Andrew Holness, chairman of the National Security Council, earlier this year agreed to a new national campaign to not only acquire and seize unlicensed guns but to also educate the public, especially young men, about the negative consequences of trafficking, possessing and dealing with these illegal firearms, to dissuade them from doing so and to infiltrate gang operations.

With a dedicated fund being set in place, incentives have been provided to the public in exchange for information leading to the recovery of the firearms.

With that in mind, Holness today (December 12) tweeted: “Need some extra cash?You can Mek A Money Fi Di Christmas.”

His hopes of the Christmas season encouraging persons to come forward to receive their rewards are high. 

This initiative of requesting the public’s assistance in helping the authorities and government to reduce and stop crime is not the first.

Crime Stop, the ongoing partnership between the authorities, the media and the private sector has been making a significant impact by paying out rewards for tips from those who help the authorities. 

Between January 2019 and May 2021, Crime Stop received more than 2,000 tips alongside the seizure of multiple firearms and ammunition. Pay outs go from $100,000 – $150,000 per firearm; $50,000 for any information that leads to an arrest,$ 100,000 for information leading to the charging of any adult engaging in sexual relations with a minor and up to $1 million for information that leads to the capture of anyone on the JCF most wanted list.

Operated by the National Crime Prevention Fund, Crime Stop has been consistent in keeping the confidentiality of the identities of those who come forward as well as having a short processing time before payment is given out.

With the two-week gun amnesty also recently ending (November 5-19), more than 90 weapons and 2,500 rounds of ammunition were turned in to the authorities, surprising even the prime minister himself.