PEOPLE who have information on corruption in the public sector, organised crime, lottery scamming and other serious crimes are being encouraged to share what they know with the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) via its anonymous/confidential tip line: 888-MOCA TIP.

A reward will be offered to tipsters whose information leads to successful operations and arrests

Launched on International Anti-Corruption Day on Friday at MOCA’s Oxford Road headquarters in St Andrew, 888-MOCA TIP is the first dedicated anti-corruption tip line to be created in Jamaica and is a collaboration between MOCA and Crime Stop.

The partnership was solidified with the signing of a memorandum of understanding by principals of both agencies.

Director general of MOCA, Colonel Desmond Edwards said engaging in partnership, especially with citizens, is critical to the fight against corruption which globally is estimated at US$2.6 trillion annually, noting that about US$750 million is lost annually in Jamaica due to corruption.

“We recognise that the problem is broader than the capacities of just law enforcement. We need to engage and empower the wider population of the country, our citizens that we serve. In fact, it could be argued that the most important partners [in this fight] are citizens..and it is against this background that we have sought to partner with Crime Stop to seek to encourage our citizens to join the fight,” he said.

Colonel Edwards further noted that the participation of citizens will enable good intelligence, ultimately good cases, and the desired outcome the country craves.

He noted that the partnership with Crime Stop was strategic as the agency has the skills and expertise and an enviable track record of never having had any compromises in the programme where the identities of tipsters are leaked.

“So we see Crime Stop as a significant partner in our fight and we believe that the capacities that Crime Stop will provide to us will augur well for our fight,” he said.

He said the role corruption plays in criminal enterprises that truly concerns MOCA includes gang violence and murder, arms trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and cyber-related threats and offences.

Chairman, National Crime Prevention Plan, which operates Crime Stop, Sandra Glasgow said it is significant that Crime Stop Jamaica and MOCA are forging a powerful partnership to tackle issues that have significantly stymied Jamaica’s economic development and its standing in the international community.

“Jamaica’s Corruption Perception Index remained at 44 at the beginning of this year, indicative of the continued prevalence of the issue and the overwhelming need to inject interventions to assist in curtailing corruption,” she said.

Glasgow lauded MOCA partnering with Crime Stop in launching the tip line that allows citizens to “finally utilise a trustworthy confidential channel where they can feel safe in sharing information anonymously on corruption and major organised crime”.

“Crime Stop has been integral to the fabric of the Jamaican society, a steadfast organisation of excellent repute for over 33 years. We have remained resolute in our mission to detect, reduce and prevent criminal activities — which is similar to [MOCA’s] mission of identifying and targeting major organised crime and public sector corruption in order to improve security and governance in Jamaica,” she said.

Since Crime Stop was established in 1989 more than 31,000 tips have been received, which have led to 2,852 arrests. Rewards paid out have amounted to over $62 million; and just over $1 billion in narcotics and property has been recovered.