CRIME STOPPERS FOCUSES ON HIGH SCHOOLS

January is Crime Stoppers month and Crime Stoppers Kingston/1000
Islands celebrates a dramatic milestone. Since its inception in
January 1988 the local program has helped recover $40 million worth of
stolen property and illegal drugs.

"I was just thrilled when I saw those figures," said detective
constable Shirley Steward of Kingston/1000 Islands Crime Stoppers.

This year for Crime Stoppers Month Stewards says they are focusing on
high school students.

"We're going to be working on getting into the high schools in the
area," says Steward.

"We've got a DVD from my counterpart in Lanark County and we're hoping
to get that into the schools. That age group has their issues. They
seem to have developed the mentality 'you don't rat on your friends',
but they're often victims but there are lots of thefts and bullying
and assaults are an issue and Crime Stoppers is a perfect venue for
them to provide information and still remain anonymous."

Statistics for the program as of the end of 2006 show a total of 1,434
cases cleared with 1,182 arrests made. Also, Crime Stoppers has helped
in the recovery of $4 million in stolen property and $37 million in
drugs for a total of $41.5 million. On a broader scale 108 programs
across Canada have combined to recover $2.8 billion in stolen property
and narcotics.

Locally, as members of the volunteer board start to retire, Crime
Stoppers is looking for replacements. Steward says a recruitment
luncheon is being held in Kingston for potential board members.

"We would like to get some more board members, we have 12 currently
but some are getting on and we would like representation from our area
from Napanee right through to Cardinal," she says. "They are vital.
The luncheon is on Jan. 17 at the Holiday Inn in Kingston and it is by
invitation but if they want to contact Dave Cook the board chair.