CRIME STOPPERS ADDS ANOTHER CHAPTER TO LOCAL SUCCESS STORY

The Crime Stoppers program both locally and around the province continues
to be success story - solving thousands of crimes and recovering millions
of dollars in stolen property.

From its inception in Jan. 1992 to April 2000, the local South Okanagan
Similkameen Crime Stoppers has received 1748 tips.

"There have been 355 cases cleared because of those tips and it's resulted
in 407 arrests," said Al Sismey of Penticton, president of the B.C. Crime
Stoppers Advisory Board.

He said the tips have also resulted in the recovery of $1.1 million worth
of stolen property and drugs valued at $3.7 million.

"And we've given out approximately $17,000 in awards for tips provided,"
said Sismey.

The local program covers the area from Summerland and Naramata to Osoyoos
and west to Princeton, with occasional tips coming in from Midway.

"It's been very successful and is supported by the communities which
provide donations for the rewards. It's working very well," said Sismey.

The first Crime Stoppers programs in B.C. started in Vancouver and Victoria
in the early 1980's and have continued to expand to the current total of 37
community programs around the province.

Since the beginning, community boards - working with their media partners,
police and other investigators - have helped clear almost 19,000 B.C.
cases, arrest over 13,000 suspects, recover over $40 million in stolen
property and over $200 million in illegal drugs.

"And if you go even further to the national and international stats, it's
mind-boggling really," Sismey said. He said there are in excess of 1,000
programs worldwide, with some even located in communist countries.

Crimestoppers accepts tips at 1-800-222-TIPS.