AWARD-WINNING CRIME STOPPERS

Quesnel Crime Stoppers organization is the recipient of two
prestigious awards handed out at the recent 2009 Crime Stoppers
Training Conference held in Vernon B.C.

The team won the 2008 Crime Stoppers Milestone Award. This award
recognizes excellence for tips leading to drug seizures in communities
with populations of fewer than 20,000.

Quesnel RCMP launched an extensive investigation initiated by a Crime
Stoppers tip, which resulted in the seizure of more than 2,000
marijuana plants, with an estimated "street value" of $1 million.

The tipster received a substantial cash award for the information
provided.

Quesnel Crime Stoppers also won the 2008 Crime Stoppers Program of the
Year Award.

These awards are a real shot in the arm for the Quesnel program. This
shows that by submitting your anonymous tips, you can help stop crime
and contribute to the community's safety.

Crime Stoppers has been active in Quesnel since April 1986. In that
time, tips have led to 54 arrests, $867,000 worth of property seized,
$3 million in narcotics seized and total payouts to anonymous tipsters
of more than $24,000.

Keith Hildebrand, former RCMP Staff Sergeant in Quesnel, and now
coordinator of Community Policing said that Crime Stoppers are
"extremely helpful" in helping the law enforcement agencies.

The organization is always looking for volunteers who are keen to play
a role in crime prevention.

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization operated by a board of
directors made up of civilian volunteers who work in partnership with
law enforcement. Crime Stoppers follows the guidelines and directions
set out by Crime Stoppers International in its day-to-day operation.
Trained civilians answer its toll-free tips line (1-800-222-8477
(TIPS)) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, taking completely anonymous
tips on any criminal activity.

If you have any information about a crime that has been
committed:

- - call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or enter a tip
online;

- - your information will be taken in strictest confidence. You never
have to give your name;

- - you will be given a tip code number. This should be kept to yourself
in order to retain your anonymity;

- - After several weeks, call Crime Stoppers back, giving your
confidential tip code number and you will receive an update on the
status of the investigation;

- - tips that lead to the arrest of suspects, as well as the recovery of
stolen property and drugs, are eligible for cash rewards of up to
$2,000, which are paid to tipsters on an anonymous basis;

- - we don't want your name, just your information that can help solve a
crime.

For information or to see what role you can play in crime prevention
contact community policing manager Keith Hildebrand, 250-992-5743 or
e-mail khildebrand@city.quesnel.bc.ca