PROGRAM CASHES IN ON CROOKS

South Okanagan Similkameen Crime Stoppers received an average of one call a
day last year, which resulted in an average of more than 10 arrests and two
cases solved per month.

The Crime Stoppers' tips program also resulted in $670,000 worth of
narcotics and $403,000 worth of stolen property seized and recovered.

The statistics were released as the program began its 2000 fund-raising
campaign.

For the continual growth of the Crime Stoppers program, we must all continue
to support and promote the concept," Penticton RCMP Insp. Stew McLeod said.

The program has provided good value for the money spent. For every dollar
Crime Stoppers handed out in rewards - a total of $1,625 - it recovered $248
worth of stolen goods and seized $412 worth of illicit drugs.

In addition, the Crime Stoppers mugshot program, in which the Penticton
Herald publishes the photographs of individuals wanted by police, recorded
an 85-per-cent success rate in apprehending those featured last year.

In total for 1999, Crime Stoppers received 362 telephone calls which
resulted in 130 arrests and 25 cases solved.

The society will accept donations by mail sent to P.O. Box 24097, Penticton,
B.C., V2A 8L9. Tax receipts will be sent by return mail.