CRIME STOPPERS PUTS DAMPER ON DRUGS

Sometimes the best deeds are those done anonymously.

January is Crime Stoppers Month and 100 Mile RCMP Sgt. Don McLean says
members of the public can do a lot to help the police in deterring
crime.

"Crime Stoppers is of enormous benefit to the 100 Mile House RCMP
detachment. As an example, Crime Stoppers tips have been responsible
for the start of several successful marijuana cultivation search
warrants and criminal convictions."

Crime Stoppers is also important because callers are anonymous, he
adds, so their identity cannot be revealed and callers are never
required to testify in court.

"The Crime Stoppers program provides an opportunity for people who
would normally not report crime to do so without fear of
retaliation."

The 100 Mile RCMP provides a detachment liaison officer to the local
Crime Stoppers committee. This officer provides updates on
investigations stemming from tips, says McLean, as well as input to
the committee regarding the amount of assigned cash rewards.

He adds there is more than one way for people to support the
program.

"The community can provide support to the local Crime Stoppers
committee by supporting their fundraising activities within the area,
such as the golf tournament, or by donation."

Another advocate of stopping crime in the community, Al Blannin has
been chair of Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo (CSSC) since it's
inception as a society in 1996.

2009 was a successful year, she says, with more tips, arrests and
rewards than usual.

"It's been a very productive year for tips. We've recovered over $9
million in drugs, which is quite a bit."

She adds there were 47 tips in 2009, leading to 21 arrests and 41
charges laid. More than $2,000 was handed out in awards locally.

"The input of the public in coming in with the tips is the biggest
thing for the program."

Nevertheless, financial stability is also key to the committee's
survival, she says, so it relies on its annual golf fundraiser to
cover local program costs that include a telephone answering service,
BC program dues, cash awards and insurance.

"We don't run on a big budget and we use it to the advantage of the
public."

If you have information about a crime, you can now provide an
anonymous tip online using Crime Stoppers Canada's secure and
encrypted web-tip form. They don't use call display and they don't
want your name, phone number or e-mail address, they only need your
tip.

You could receive a cash award of up to $2,000 upon an arrest and
charge.

Call Crime Stoppers TIP line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or, to leave a
secure tip online, visit www.bccrimestoppers.com/links.php.