( TOP L - R )Shanna-Kaye Legister, Toni-Ann Thomas and Oksana Douglas.
( BTM L - R ) Maurice Maxwell, Toni-Ann Thomas, Sasha-Kaye Brown and Shanika Shakespeare
AS PART OF the hunt for child killers, today THE WEEKEND STAR continues its series geared towards informing the public about the unsolved murders. A reward totalling $100,000 is being offered for the arrest and charge of person or persons responsible for the murder of our children.
Call Crime Stop toll free at 1-888-991-4000. Full confidentiality will be maintained.
The police and Crime Stop are blaming the 'informer fi dead' syndrome as the reason people are afraid of giving information to catch criminals.
"It's very serious and this is the reason people are afraid to call. This 'informer fi dead syndrome' is a problem," said Prudence Gentles, coordinator for Crime Stop.
"We've had people call us numerous times who have had to be reassured that we don't know who they are. When we go out people will say this to us as well," Gentles added.
INTIMIDATING WITNESSES
The police also agree. Deputy Superintendent of police (DSP) Oswald Ayres of the St. Andrew South Police division said the killing of informers is often used to intimidate witnesses.
"It's a stain that doesn't come off even if the person moves to another community and that is a reason people don't say anything," said DSP Ayres.
He added that persons are also discouraged from going to police by criminals who tell them they have contacts in the police force. "The criminals will say they have police links who will tell them the informers. Most times this is not true but people believe it and that affects us," he said.
Both Gentles and DSP Ayres said there are steps in place to protect witnesses, but most times people do not believe this is true. "People still don't believe although we tell them the only way people will know is if they tell someone about it," said Gentles.
DSP Ayres believes an education campaign is needed to reduce the problem. Gentles added that Crime Stop had gone to schools to tell children that giving the police information is not a bad thing.
"We feel children are the best people to target. The change may not happen now but we know that if we can sway one child then we know the future would not be lost," said Gentles.
Call: 1-888-991-4000
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