Crime Stop is a partnership between the community, the police and the media designed to involve the public in the fight against crime. Crime Stop encourages the public to give information by offering total anonymity to all callers and, for those who wish, a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest, recovery of stolen property or the seizure of illegal drugs or guns. The programme is administered by the National Crime Prevention Fund and is run under the direction of The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.
Mission Statement:
To assist in the detection, reduction and prevention of crime through offering the most secure avenue for citizens to give information anonymously on all forms of crime.
Vision Statement:
Crime Stop Jamaica is the preferred channel for citizens to use in providing information anonymously about crimes.
ADMINISTRATION
Board of Directors: The Board consists of thirteen members – three representing the media and related bodies, two from the PSOJ, one from the police force and seven members for the community. The Board meets once a month.
Manager: The Manager answers directly to the Board of Directors and the responsibilities include:
- Day to day administration of the entire Fund’s business, including management of the office and the information gathering and processing operations:
- Research into, writing and production of the monthly Crime Stop Unsolved programme and news releases, as well as production of corporate advertising and public relations;
- Preparation and management of the Fund’s budget;
- Soliciting support at all levels from major media and related bodies, the private sector, the police and the public.
FUNDING
All the costs of the programme, including the administration, advertising and payments for the rewards are covered by the following:
- Media and related bodies contribute on an ongoing and regular basis, free time and space, design and production facilities for advertisements, posters, stickers and the like.
- The PSOJ secretariat provides accounting services free of cost.
- All cash expenses are paid for by interest which is accrued on the Capital Investment Fund which is made up from donations received from the private sector.
“CRIME STOP” OFFICES
The Crime Stop offices are housed at the Office of the Commissioner of Police. Trained counselors answer the Crime Stop Hot Lines and follow up on the information given to the Police for action. The counselors work on a shift basis so as to ensure a 24 hour, 7 day a week monitoring of the telephones. The Counselors responsibilities include the following:
- Receiving and logging of information from and offering advice to callers where required
- Passing information to an investigating officer in the appropriate division.
- Maintaining an efficient follow up system to obtain feedback from investigating officer on a daily basis.
- To provide Crime Stop informants with appropriate feedback when requested by them
- To enter all information on a tip management software daily.
HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS
When an informant calls the office with information they are given a code number – this number becomes the file number. The information is recorded and handed out to the relevant police authorities to act on. If the informant is interested in receiving a reward they will call back giving their code number to check on the outcome of the information they have given. If the information leads to an arrest and/or recovery of stolen or illegal property the informant is entitled to receive a reward if it is requested. The reward is paid in cash and once a request is made, rewards are paid through a trusted disbursement agency that maintains the source's anonymity. The amount of the reward is determined by guidelines set out by the Board of Directors.
We all crave for a better Jamaica. So please play your part in the fighting of crimes. Crime Stop offers a Reward for any information leading to the arrest of individuals who commit a crime. So please don't hide it.
