CRIMESTOPPERS ENJOYS MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR YET

Local tipsters made 1999 a successful year for both the East Kootenay
CrimeStoppers and area RCMP officers.

"Last year was the best year (the East Kootenay) CrimeStoppers had
since its inception in 1991," said Don Bens, local president of the
East Kootenay CrimeStoppers organization.

The group covers communities from Cranbrook to the Elk Valley, through
the Columbia Basin up to Golden.

"Last year we received 104 tips, which is about two per week," Bens
said.

This marks a jump of 16 tips compared to 1998, when the group received
88 tips.

In fact, there has been a steady climb in the number of tips to the
East Kootenay branch during the past four years - 1997 recorded 81
tips and 1996 recorded 54.

Bens credits the steady rise in tips to the group's growing presence
in the East Kootenay, as well as, the realization of citizens that
tips do help their respective communities.

"People are realizing we're there for a cause," Bens said. "We're
proving our ability and assuring tipsters remain anonymous, that's
very important."

Because of the tips local police were able to make 13 arrests and
close 20 cases.

The following is a partial break down of the nature of tips received:
46 tips concerning illegal drugs, 7 for break and enters, as
well as theft, 11 mischief, 5 fraud, 4 suspicious occurrences.

Those (46) tips on drugs recovered $575,000 worth of drugs in the East
Kootenay, Bens said.

"We have also recovered $20,000 worth of stolen property," he
added.

Although CrimeStoppers pays rewards for tips leading to a warrant or
arrest it appears most tipsters are calling for the good of the community.

"Of the tips received the majority of the tipsters did it for the
benefit of the community not for the payment of the reward," Bens said.

"They're interested in getting the crimes in the community
solved."

It's important for CrimeStoppers to distinguish itself from the
police, because the entire program is based on tipster anonymity.

"We're not a police program although we work with the police to solve
crimes in the East Kootenay," Bens said.

He added police like the program because it often helps them reduce
the amount of time spent trying to solve a particular case.

Bens explained tipsters call 1-800-222-TIPS and are immediately told
not to give their names. Bens said after giving information tipsters
are given a number which corresponds with their tip, as well as,
another toll-free number so they can follow-up on the status of their
tip.

They're is no call display or other tracking devices, Bens
emphasized.

If a tip leads to a warrant or an arrest, an award committee decides
the dollar value of the reward.

The tipster then makes arrangements to receive the reward under terms,
which maintain their anonymity.

The East Kootenay CrimeStoppers program's success is due in part to
its volunteers. Bens said the organization has about 18 volunteers at
the moment but they're looking for more.

"We would like to have 40," Bens said. He noted volunteers spend about
three hours per month working for CrimeStoppers.

Folks interested in volunteering their time to CrimeStoppers can phone
1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Cranbrook RCMP detachment at 489-3471
(ask for either Eric Ausman or Const. Mark Sorokan).

In addition to volunteers, CrimeStoppers' financial support to pay for
is based on community donations.

"In order for us to preserve our anonymity we can not accept cash
donations from civic, provincial, federal governments because of the
46reedom of Information Act," Bens said.

He added, "We're a community program funded out of the
community."

Consequently the group relies on local fund-raisers, bingos and
donations from private citizens.