Tip Line AIDS RCMP

West Prince RCMP say their new "Hello Phone" is helping them gather
information on drug and other crime.

The "Hello Phone" is a tip line much like Crimestoppers says Cpl
Michelle Mercer of the West Prince Detachment. Any one with
information for the police can call the "Hello Phone" at 853-3933, but
all emergency calls should still go through 911.

The tip line is sometimes answered if an officer happens to be in the
office but is also set up with voicemail, and can be called anytime.
She stresses the line should not be called by anyone looking for help
or an immediate response.

"This is not an emergency phone," says Cpl Mercer. " This is for
people who have some information on street level drugs, stolen
property or any other criminal activity. People can leave their
information anonymously or leave their name and number if they wish."

She says the RCMP are glad to receive any information and will follow
up on any leads. The idea comes from a strategy usually used with "a
major project like a murder investigation." In cases like that the
RCMP often sets up a temporary tip line and this is a take off from
that idea.

"The general public were looking to us for more enforcement with
street level drugs," says Cpl Mercer. "So we assigned a dedicated
officer to that beat full-time and at the same time we set up the tip
line."

The RCMP hasn't advertised the number widely, but have only mentioned
it at meetings or in one-on-one situations. She could not comment on
how many calls the line receives or how helpful it has been with local
crime.

At a recent community council meeting in O'Leary, West Prince RCMP
officers credited the tip line for much of the detachment's recent
success against drug crime in the area.

"We are only as strong as the community support we get, " says Cpl
Mercer. "This is one way they can assist us."