Admiral Bailey pleased with improved crime statistics - But wants more incentives for those who give info to cops

Veteran dancehall deejay Admiral Bailey is pleased with reports from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) about recent successes in the seizure of illegal guns and a reduction in serious crime incidents.

The JCF recently reported a 37 per cent increase in the number of illegal firearms that have been seized when compared to the corresponding period last year. The police also reported a 17 per cent decline in major incidents over the same timeframe.

"This is a good thing and if you can get the gun dem, which I don't doubt you can get all a the gun dem, then you will have a safer society. The only people who not pleased is the criminal elements that want the gun to do criminal activities. So, it is the minister of security and the commissioner [of police] have to put out some effort and ground work in getting the guns," the artiste told THE STAR. He also commended the use of the social media campaigns being employed by the police force, such as 'Wanted Wednesdays' or the recent Valentine's Day advertisement which called for persons to report their criminal ex-lovers. However, the deejay pointed out that the campaigns will only yield success if there are rewards for the citizenry.

"If a man know say when him gi up summen, him ago get summen, him a go do dat. But when a man gi up summen and him nah get nutten, den yuh nah get nutten. That is how society work and you have to move with it," Bailey cautioned.

In January, Bailey recorded a six-minute video in which he expressed that he was "fed up" and that "enough was enough", as the country had recorded more than 70 murders in the first 18 days of 2022. Among the victims was nine-year-old Gabriel King, who was found with his neck slashed in an abandoned vehicle in St James. In the video, Bailey called for capital punishment for murderers and advocated for inmates serving time for misdemeanours be forced to the executions. He reasoned that the sight of the offenders potentially messing themselves as they die would force the thieves to reflect on their lives and turn from crime. But while upbeat about the statistics, he urged policy makers to implement another recommendation that he made in January; to make licensed firearm holders part of the crime-fighting effort.

"If they [the authorities] can make it easier for a licensed firearm holder to be deputised and try and protect [residents], then that will help because there are a lot of [legal] firearm holders out there," he said.