KINGSTON, Jamaica—Only six per cent of Jamaicans who provide information leading to the arrest and charge of criminal elements accept a payment for doing so.

This was disclosed by the Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, on Tuesday as he opened the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate at Gordon House.

“The data tells a powerful story about the role of our citizens in making Jamaica safer,” Chang said.

He told the House that, “over the past decade, payouts to tipsters have increased significantly, by nearly tenfold”.

Chang added that, “At first thought, one might assume that this reflects a growing reliance on financial incentives. But the reality tells a very different story. Only about six per cent of tipsters actually request payment. This means that 94 per cent of Jamaicans who come forward with information do so without compensation”.

The security minister said this shows that it is not about money.

“It is about patriotism. It is about trust. It is about citizens taking a stand for their communities. This is something we must celebrate. This partnership between citizens and law enforcement is one of the strongest signals that Jamaica is not only becoming safer, but that Jamaicans themselves are leading that change,” he said.

-Lynford Simpson