Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the creation of a $25 million fund to reward individuals who provide credible information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the criminals behind Sunday’s deadly attack on Cherry Tree Lane in Clarendon.
Holness, speaking at a press conference in the Prime Minister’s Office, said the fund would provide the government and security forces with an opportunity for citizens to provide information that would help dismantle the remaining 185 gangs in Jamaica.
A $6 million reward has been made available for information leading to the arrest and indictment of a suspect involved in Sunday’s massacre, which left eight people dead and at least 10 injured. Anyone who provides the information can receive up to $1 million.
Individuals who provide information leading to the arrest and indictment of the masterminds of the gun attack will share $5 million and could each receive up to $1.5 million.
“We are particularly interested in the facilitators and organizers. Those who supplied the weapons or provided access and ammunition, provided access to motor vehicles, who organized, made the phone calls and made the connections,” Holness said.
In addition, a $4 million fund will offer rewards for information leading to the seizure of the firearms used in the murders and information about the network responsible for obtaining the weapons.
According to Holness, five million dollars have been earmarked for the provision of information and intelligence to secure evidence against the gangs involved in the attack.
An additional $5 million is available for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals harboring criminal gangs and their associates. Each person can receive up to $800,000.
The announcement comes despite Crime Stop Jamaica, the cash-for-tips program operated by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, recording a slight decrease in the number of tips in 2023 compared to 2022.
Last year, Crime Stop Jamaica received 1,134 tips, a decrease of 1.2 percent compared to 2022, according to the Jamaica Economic and Social Survey, which is produced by the Planning Institute of Jamaica.
According to the report, $10.2 million in rewards were paid out through the program, including $9.1 million for weapons.
Information should be reported to:
Crime stop: 311
Police emergency number: 119
National Investigation Bureau tip line: 811
MOCA Tip Hotline: 888-662-2847
Jamaica Defense Force Hotline: 837-8888
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