CRIME STOPPERS PAYS IN MANY WAYS

According to the president of the local Crime Stoppers organization,
the provincial government has recently denied a funding increase for
the group's provincial call centre.

Each year the government has given $10,000 for the operation of the
call centre in Regina. Like everything else, costs have increased.
People are using the tip line more, creating increased expenses as
well.

Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers is now asking for $23,000 each year. It is
more than double the previous yearly amount, but given how much money
is spent on other services, the request is not unreasonable.

After all, Crime Stoppers is a program that benefits each and every
person who lives in this province, including the people who decided to
deny the funding.

This year marks the 20th year the program has been running in
Saskatchewan. Millions of dollars in stolen goods and drugs have been
recovered thanks to this program. Hundreds of arrests have been made
for crimes that might have otherwise gone unsolved.

The funding isn't going to any of the individual program services.
Dedicated volunteer board members in every community make sure they
raise their own funds to operate.

The program could not run without the call centre.

The anonymous tip line gives the link between those who have
information with those who want the information.

At Tuesday's Crime Stoppers luncheon here in Prince Albert, president
Jim McKnight said many of the callers to the line end up being the
friends of criminals. They get to remain anonymous and might also get
a reward for their information.

It is doubtful these people would offer the same information if Crime
Stoppers didn't exist. Police forces themselves will tell you how
important Crime Stoppers is to them.

So why can't the provincial government see that?