THE Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is reporting that its crime-fighting initiative — Crime Stop — saw a 74 per cent increase in tips in 2017, or 389 more than in 2016 with a payout of $2.3 million in rewards.

However, according to a report released by Crime Stop Jamaica yesterday, the success rate fell from one in six in 2016, to one in eight, meaning that there was one successful follow-up for every eight first calls received about a crime.

Despite this, Crime Stop still sees 2017 as a very successful year for the programme, which is administered by the National Crime Prevention Fund, under the directorship of the PSOJ. It is a partnership between the community, the police, and the media designed to involve the public in the fight against crime.

“The tips received by Crime Stop last year expanded beyond the emblematic categories received over the years. With the airing of CS311 between May and August, the tips received widened, and mirrored the topics aired each week. Crimes such as human trafficking, corruption, and gang activities were received, tied in with drugs, murder and child abuse, to name a few,” the report outlined.

The majority of tips received were regarding illegal firearms, followed by tips on gunmen, and illegal gambling. A total of 61 arrests were made, varying from illegal gambling to rape, with 33 associated with illegal gambling, and 18 split equally for illegal possession of firearms and drugs. Compared to 2016, the total number of arrests went up by 79 per cent.

Property seized in relation to crimes reached a value of $3.7 million, while over $17.8 million worth of narcotics — mainly marijuana related — were seized or destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Rewards for Guns Campaign implemented by the Ministry of National Security, through Crime Stop, paid out $1.9 million for tips related to illegal firearms and ammunition. Crime Stop said that since that campaign was relaunched in September 2017, tips regarding illegal firearms and ammunition totalled 209, resulting in the seizure of 24 illegal firearms and 315 rounds of ammunition.

Crime Stop Jamaica also lauded the success of its partnership with the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, which it said yielded 112 tips in 2017, leading to 33 arrests, and a payout of $110,000 for illegal gaming.

In May, Crime Stop Jamaica also launched a partnership with British American Tobacco offering reward for information leading to arrests or seizures of illegal cigarettes and other illicit goods.

“This is by far one of the most notable success stories of the PSOJ, and thanks to the media, video production company and the police, the programme continues to achieve remarkable results in helping to solve crime. The ‘Crime of the Month’ and ‘Stop the Guns and Drugs’ campaigns have generated positive feedback and support from the public,” the report stated.

Through Crime Stop, citizens can offer, for reward, information on crimes leading to an arrest, recovery of stolen property or the seizure of illegal drugs under total anonymity.