CRIME STOPPERS TIP LINE ENJOYS BANNER YEAR

Tips Have Led To $2M In Seized Drugs And $74,000 In Stolen Property

You may just be an anonymous voice, but for two female officers on the
other end of the line, you may have the one detail required to solve a
crime.

Const. Linda Burns and Const. Laura Houliston are the women behind the
Greater Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers.

Burns has spent most of her police career as a front-line officer with
the Greater Sudbury Police Service and is currently the
senior/vulnerable adult liaison officer.

Houliston divides her time between co-ordinating the Crime Stoppers
program and investigating sexual assaults, child abuse and domestic
violence cases with the OPP.

So far in 2006, Crime Stoppers has received 500 tips and awarded
$4,000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in an
outstanding investigation.

"We get tips on crimes that are about to occur, crimes that have
already occurred and a lot of information on drugs," said Burns.

Up to 75 per cent of calls are drug related, involving information
about drug trafficking, marijuana grow operations, etc.

This year, tips have led to $2 million in seized drugs, primarily from
marijuana grow operations, and $74,000 in recovered stolen property.

A tip to Crime Stoppers led police to major grow op bust on Manitoulin
Island on June 22.

At the time, police discovered and seized 1,450 plants officials said
were worth $1.45 million.

"Our lines are not tapped, we don't have call display," said Burns.
"You're just a voice on the other side."

Callers are assigned an ID number. No other identification is required
for officers to investigate and follow-up on tips. From there, Burns
and Houliston give the information to the appropriate police department.

"Some people are frequent callers," said Burns.

"You know these callers, not as though they are involved in the crime,
but they are close to the crime."

Houliston said Crime Stoppers tips have helped solve a number of
high-profile cases, none of which she can talk about or discuss, she
said.

"It goes to show, every crime has witnesses," she said.

From clothing to vehicle descriptions, everyone has some information
that can help solve a crime.

"We have a lot of repeat tipsters, which shows they have confidence in
our program," said Houliston.

Although the new service has been offered since January, Crime
Stoppers will officially launch its seniors program this fall.

The population is aging at a rapid pace, said Burns, and often seniors
are vulnerable to abuse and crime.

If a stranger posing as a bank manager calls them up and asks them to
withdraw all their money, many of them will, said Burns.

"It's not as though they are ignorant, they are just too trusting,"
she said.

Part of the Crime Stoppers seniors program will involve public
awareness, and educating banks, doctor offices and churches to
recognize the signs of financial, physical and emotional abuse.

Burns is passionate about her role in the seniors program.

Seniors are "just so appreciative," said Burns.

"They're more open and respect the uniform. They still have this
tremendous appreciation and respect for police officers."