JCF’s ‘Wanted Wednesdays’ Campaign Has A Dancehall Buzz
Stage shows and parties are integral to Reggae and Dancehall in Jamaica. So, whether you are a local or someone just visiting the island, you have probably heard about weekly sessions—some of the street dances—like Uptown Mondays, Boasy Tuesdays, and Weddy Weddy Wednesdays.
Though the long-running parties have not gone unscathed amid the pandemic, they are such trendsetting events that when the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) launched its “Wanted Wednesdays” social media campaign last week, people were ready to attend the “dance”.
One Twitter user said: “JCF in association with GOJ [Government of Jamaica] presents a ting called Wanted Wednesdays. Bring yuh Queen and leff yuh Machine.” “No bail, just vibes. this and every Wanted Wednesdays,” another user tweeted.
Inspector Shaunjaye Mitchell of the JCF’s Corporate Communications Unit told DancehallMag that the “Wanted Wednesdays” campaign is about having a designated day on which the police upload a wanted person’s information to social media. The police would’ve been searching for the individual for some time, he said.
To kick off the campaign on Twitter last week, the police tweeted: “If your face and particulars appear in our Wanted Wednesdays’ post, visit the nearest police station to rectify the matter.
“If you’re a relative or close friend of wanted individuals, you may also be putting your lives and that of your loved ones at risk.”
A wanted poster, which featured an image of Mashorn “Sabo” Samuels, who is reportedly wanted for murder, accompanied the JCF’s tweet. The poster also included information about Samuels and the numbers to call if anyone has information on the alleged criminal.
If your face and particulars appear in our Wanted Wednesdays post, visit the nearest police station to rectify the matter.
If you’re a relative or close friend of wanted individuals, you may also be putting your lives and that of your loved ones at risk. pic.twitter.com/YZ4gORBqp3
— Jamaica Constabulary Force (@JamaicaConstab) April 28, 2021
After sharing two posts related to the campaign last week, Wanted Wednesdays was trending on Twitter in Jamaica.
Inspector Mitchell told DancehallMag that the team he works with expected the Wanted Wednesdays social media posts to do well.
“Wanted Wednesdays is catchy and will resonate with people, so the interaction on the post has been very, very high, meaning people are interacting [with it],” he said. “The comments might be playful and colorful, but the fact is that people are seeing the person we have listed as wanted and because of that, we think that the campaign, which we will continue, will be successful in terms of getting the information out there and subsequently getting hits at Crime Stop about these particular wanted individuals.”
And the responses on the different social media platforms have, indeed, been colorful.
“Wanted Wednesdays… Remind mi a when party use to keep,” said one Facebook user. Another questioned: “JCF why are you promoting a party with this kind of name “Wanted Wednesday” that means is only wanted, man must attend di dance? Next question where is the venue?”
“So how JCF a keep big party and all announce pon FB…….A swear Jamaica full a vibes…,” yet another said.
“Dance ya look like it aguh festive,” said another Facebook user.
While not all social media users agreed with the name being used for the campaign, the majority had high praises for the police.
One Facebook user commented: “‘Wanted Wednesday’s’, sounds a bit like trying to trivialize murder or wanted men. This is a serious matter JCF not a party.”
However, others welcomed the name and the apparent thrust of the police to use creative investigative tools.
Twitter users said:
“Whoever came up with “Wanted Wednesdays” need a raise lol.”
“Dear @JamaicaConstab, This #WantedWednesdays have a vybe! Yes! Kindly consider one for the misbehaving persons who ignore curfew times (example: #CurfewBreakers). The PR & Social Media team a gwaan GOOD.”
Dear @JamaicaConstab,
This #WantedWednesdays have a vybe! Yes! Kindly consider one for the misbehaving persons who ignore curfew times (example: #CurfewBreakers). The PR & Social Media team a gwaan GOOD.@dennisbroox @shaunjaye @Delroychuckjm pic.twitter.com/pV0R8r4eNz— Prophetic Psalmist (@Kareemcares) April 28, 2021
And on Facebook, users said:
“A yah so nice me love it great job with the marketing.”
“I like this Wanted Wednesdays concept. Good job.”
“Jamaica Constabulary Force has gotten quite creative in tackling crime-fighting. I like this improved strategy.”
“MI nah laugh… But mi like how the Jamaica Constabulary Force found creative ways to seek wanted man.”
Amid the buzz Wanted Wednesdays created on social media, Inspector Mitchell told DancehallMag that the team did not expect the street dance association.
“We knew it would be catchy, like some of the popular events, but no particular association was anticipated. Nonetheless, people are talking about it, the images are being shared and we managed to be trending on social media. So with that said, I think the objective of alerting people to wanted persons has been met,” the Inspector of Police said. “Now we’ll await the results of the campaign to see the hits.”
The concept of Wanted Wednesdays is not novel, as checks by DancehallMag revealed that worldwide, other police services have employed similar campaigns to get the word out about individuals they are trying to locate.
If the JCF is looking for other catchy phrases for future campaigns, a few social media users offered suggestions.
“Talk up de Tingz Tuesdays. Where there’s a private line for citizens to call in and say what they know to help alleviate the high level of crime,” on Facebook user posted.
“Ticket payment Thursday’s….. ALL Taxi man and drivers must pay them traffic tickets tomorrow,” another commented last Wednesday.
“Feline Fridays… For female gangsters. Don’t argue they are there,” another user suggested.