Looking back at the birth of Crime-Stop

All the way back in 1980, the Government of Jamaica began a campaign to include its citizenry in the effort to fight crime. The campaign, though juxtaposed with yearly increases in crime, has had a modicum of success and is possibly Jamaica’s longest-running police initiative by way of a crime-fighting tactic. Here is how Crime Stop began.

Published Saturday, August 16, 1980

'Operation Crime-Stop' Launched

Joint Police-Military publicity campaign

“OPERATION CRIME-STOP”, an anti-crime offensive by the security forces, taking the form of a publicity campaign drive with support from the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and the heads of media houses, was launched yesterday afternoon.

Commissioner of Police Mr. Wilbert Bowes and the Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force. Brigadier Robert Neish, inaugurated the offensive at a press conference at the Commissioner's office. 103 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6.

The Governor General, the Most Hon. Florizel Glasspole also sent a message of support for "Operation Crime-Stop", appealing to the public to give their co-operation to the campaign.

Using the theme 'Don't tell your name, tell what you know." "Operation Crime Stop" according to Commissioner Bowes, "will attempt to harness the wealth of information which the public has" to crack down on the gunmen and recover their weapons.

Offering rewards of up to $5,000 for the recovery of terrorist firearms and up to $10,000 for those involved in the illicit importation and distribution of guns. "Operation Crime Stop, will primarily be waged by media houses which will carry free advertisements from today, appealing to the public to provide information to combat gunmen.

Persons with information can telephone the following number 92-91111 (toll-free, direct or through the operator) or write to Crime Stop. P.O. Box 6666 C.S.O. Kingston. Information will be treated with the strictest confidence, the security chiefs stressed.

The chairman of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Mr. Carlton Alexander also participated in the launching exercise appealing for the "fullest co-operation by all citizens for Operation Crime Stop "He asked companies who employ reserve Security personnel to release them when they were needed.

HOPEFUL

Present also were representatives of the PSOJ top management of the media houses, Mrs. Faye Saunders general secretary of the Jamaica Teachers' Association and the Rev. Bevis Byfield of the Jamaica Council of Churches. Commissioner Bowes stressed the importance of the contribution of the citizens for the success of anti-crime operations.

Mr. Bowes said that special measures by the security forces were paying dividends and things were "Looking a little hopeful".

There could however be no room for complacency because the security forces had not yet captured enough of the sophisticated weapons that they believed were out there and were being used.

"It is that primarily why you are here to assist us in this venture of appealing to the public for assistance by way of information and the contribution to a reward fund".

The main objective of the latest offensive, he said, was “to harness the wealth of the information which the public has” in the anti-crime fight.

Mr. Bowes expressed the hope that by the various appeals and messages embodied in the offensive, the public would become more crime-conscious and apart from looking after themselves would assist the security forces to return the country to normal.

Brigadier Neish referred to “some measure of calm” which the security forces in new initiatives had brought to the country over the last few weeks.

REALITY

"The fact of the matter however is that we have not penetrated to the people behind the violent crimes or recovered the guns which are held and controlled by the vicious gunmen". Brigadier Neish said that the security forces were hoping that by this "publicity campaign" they could achieve those objectives, and calm and stability could be returned to the society. He, like Commissioner Bowes, congratulated the media houses heads, and the PSOJ for their assistance in making the offensive a reality.

In his message, the Governor General the Most Hon, Florizel Glasspole referred to gun violence, arson and rape which were plaguing certain areas of the country and warned that “unless we bring these crimes under control as quickly as possible the future of our country will be in danger.”

“I ask you to join in this fight to free our country from this dark and dismal scourge of gun violence and crime. Your help is needed badly, give it now,” Mr. Glasspole said.

Answering questions, Mr. Bowes said that no elected member of the Government was present because it was felt in Government circles that it would be best to allow the drive to proceed as planned.

Mr. Bowes said that approximately $10,000 of the fund money was in place and the security forces could handle outstanding demands on the funds, referring to funds provided by Government which the security forces could draw in emergency situations

Regarding the contribution of the PSOJ, Mr. Bowes said that the PSOJ was proceeding with the security forces "hand in hand

SHOCKING

Mr. Anthony Johnson executive director of the PSO] said that his organisations interest in "Operation Crime Stop was a moral one and they were prepared to support it to the extent of their resources within reason.

Brigadier Neish agreed with a suggestion that the advertisements for the new offensive might have a shocking effect on members the public but said that this was done because it was felt to be necessary.

Newspaper advertisements and television commercials for the first week of the offensive and radio commercials were displayed at the press conference.

Mr. Edgar Stewart of McCann Erickson (Ja) Ltd handled this aspect of the proceedings.

Mr. Bowes also said that other organisations would be asked to support Operation Crime Stop as the drive developed.

A follow up aspect designed to show favourable aspects of the security forces is also planned. 

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