KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck, is imploring Jamaicans to report criminal activities in their communities – calling those who do so, “heroes.”

Chuck made the remarks while speaking at the 15th staging of the Restorative Justice Conference on Wednesday, February 7 at The Summit in Kingston.

Outlining that the task of reducing murders cannot be left solely to the police, the minister said citizens “must all be prepared to be informers. I’m the biggest informer. All informers are heroes. When they see persons with guns or threatening violence, bring the police in it,” he said. “Let us see if we can prevent a few of these criminal activities and murders.”

Minister Chuck also urged Jamaicans to utilise the Ministry’s Restorative Justice (RJ) programme to reduce murders and violence in the society.

Restorative justice seeks to resolve conflicts by having all parties involved come together to reach an agreement.

“If persons resolve disputes and conflicts peacefully, we can have less murders. It is just not right that we have over 1,000 murders per year, and I hope that in 2024, for the first time in perhaps 30 odd years, we can see murders drop below 1,000. Wouldn’t that be great?” he asked.

Noting that more than 30 per cent of murders stem from domestic violence, Chuck said, “I know that restorative justice can play a part.”

“The testimonials are such that when you listen to them, you ask ‘why doesn’t Jamaica know more about this healing power of restorative justice?”

He went on to say that restorative justice officers, facilitators and volunteers must begin to move with “missionary zeal” in schools, churches, business places, in communities and on construction sites, to curtail violence.

The Ministries of Justice and Education, on Monday, February 5, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the continued delivery of restorative practices training in schools across Jamaica.