TIPS CUT INTO DRUGS

Crime Stoppers had a year in which their overall tips from the public
went down, but those tips had a significantly greater effect. Their
annual statistical report has been released and showed a big boost in
one critical category for the Prince George community: drugs.

"In 2006 we received 584 tips versus the 539 we received in 2007, so
we did see a drop in the number of tips received," said Roberta
Stewart, president of the Prince George branch of Crime Stoppers.
"But, in 2006 only $400 worth of drugs were recovered compared to
$503,610 in 2007."

A half-million dollars worth of drugs taken out of Prince George veins
simply by reporting snatches and glances of information is what makes
Crime Stoppers such a valuable tool, Stewart said.

There are now two ways to use that tool. The first is the standard
phone number to the Crime Stoppers call centre (no police personnel
ever answer a phone) where a civilian operator takes the information
down and relays it to the appropriate police department:
1-800-222-TIPS.

The other is the Crime Stoppers website which has now been operating
for more than a year in Prince George. It is gaining significant
momentum. "Out of the 539 tips received in 2007, 211 were through the
website," Stewart said.

In addition to the major drug seizures that happened with the help of
Crime Stoppers tips from the public, 65 arrests were made also with
the assistance of people calling or emailing information to Crime
Stoppers. Seven fugitives were caught. Thirty-five overall cases
involving Crime Stoppers information were cleared this year through
the courts.

There is another interesting stat for Stewart: their organization gave out
about $4,000 in reward money to people from the public who provided tips.
Those people had to contact Crime Stoppers after their initial call to
follow up and see if they were eligible for a reward, but never does a
caller have to make their identity known, even to claim a reward. Those
Crime Stoppers cheques can be given out in ways that do not require
identification. Stewart is pleased to see people claiming the rewards, but
also pleased to see how moderate the totals are, meaning most tips are not
for the money but for the justice.

There have been some recent additions to the Crime Stoppers local
board, said Stewart, but they are in need of some more people who have
a mind to prevent crime and don't mind putting in about five hours a
month (a bit more for executive members) of volunteer time.

There are travel opportunities that go along with the Crime Stoppers
board, and a huge community impact, Stewart said.

The local Crime Stoppers branch is also in need of a vehicle sponsor
to provide a vehicle for the group. The public profile of this
citizen's group would be greatly enhanced with the vehicle, and it
would help the board members carry out Crime Stoppers business.

For more information on how to join or provide resources, call Crime
Stoppers' Prince George office at 561-3390 or Stewart's office at 565-8011.