People who provide information leading police to recover an illegal firearm could receive EC$5,000 under a crime-fighting initiative backed by a government allocation of EC$500,000.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne disclosed the reward Saturday on the Browne and Browne Show while discussing efforts to strengthen information-sharing between residents and law enforcement agencies.

“For each gun that the police is able to take off the streets, they get $5,000,” Browne said.

The prime minister noted that the EC$5,000 reward is likely worth more than the firearm itself, creating a strong financial incentive for people with information about illegal weapons to cooperate with police.

The programme forms part of the government’s wider response to gun crime and other violent offences.

Browne said improved community policing would also be important in building public confidence and encouraging residents to share information with law enforcement authorities.

The government has allocated EC$500,000 to support the crime-fighting information programme.

Authorities have also increased stop-and-search operations, which Browne said have resulted in additional firearms and ammunition being removed from the streets.

The government has announced plans to acquire police drones equipped with night-vision technology, expand the country’s surveillance camera network and complete the digitisation of police records.

It is also preparing legislation to establish minimum sentences for serious gun and sexual offences as part of broader changes to the criminal justice system.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: VIDEO: Residents can get up to $ 5000 for information on illegal gun.