"Acting on anonymous information received on the 311 telephone number, (last) month saw the arrest of 18 persons, four for murder, three for rape and five for illegal possession of a firearm, along with the recovery of seven illegal firearms," read a statement from Crime Stop this week. "This brings the total number of illegal, firearms recovered by Crime Stop, to date in 2007, to 35."
Crime Stop also noted its recent achievement at the Crime Stoppers' International Annual Convention, held last month in Hamilton, Bermuda.
During the Convention, held November 5 to 8, the Inter-national Board of Judges voted Crime Stop Jamaica's television commercial 'Eye in the Sky' the best in the world for 2006/07. This is the third time Jamaica has won this award.
Over 60 countries
Delegates from over 60 countries voted.
The commercial tells the story of the hidden eyes of citizens in communities around Jamaica watching crimes being committed, and calling Crime Stop in the anonymity and security of their own homes, away from prying eyes and ears.
The commercial was written by Prism Communications Limited. and produced by Mark Gentles of Vidquip Limited. Special effects were created by Mikael Campbell of daFunk. Music is a piece called Every Breath You Take which is performed, ironically, by a band called The Police.
Beverly Hirst, managing director of Prism Communications, said: "It's a really cool thing for the local Crime Stop Programme, because they work so hard in relative anonymity and without recognition."
She added: "We're proud to be part of this international award, particularly because this is voluntary work that we do in the interest of our country."
Mr. Gentles, of VidQuip, commented, "I've got a great team of people around me on production. It's great that the quality of the work gets acknowledged because it's a reflection of the quality of the people."
Crime Stop is a partnership between the police, the media and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, and offers rewards for anonymous information leading to the arrest of anyone responsible for crimes in Jamaica. The programme is under the direction of the PSOJ.