CRIMESTOPPERS A VALUABLE COMMUNITY TOOL TO FIGHT CRIME

Crimestoppers a valuable community tool to fight crime

Who would have thought the telephone could help fight
crime?

A group of Nipawin and area residents learned just that at a
presentation by Sgt. Doug Dersch, provincial co-ordinator for
Saskatchewan Crimestoppers. He, along with Gail Mattson, on the board
of directors for Crimestoppers, explained that the anonymous phone
line was essential for communities in fighting crime.

"The Crimestoppers program is a tool that people can use to solve
crime, prevent crime and make the community a safer place," said
Dersch. The presentation on Nov. 14 was the fourth in a series put on
at L.P. Miller by Schools Plus consultant Gordon Benton. Past ones
have covered topics such as drugs, gangs and criminal activity in Nipawin.

Dersch began by explaining what the Crimestoppers program is. It is a
toll-free number anyone can call to give tips or information on crime
that has happened or suspicious behaviour.

Callers are 100 per cent anonymous and can earn up to $2,000 cash for
their tip if a subsequent police investigation is successful. Tips are
paid based on the seriousness of the crime and the amount of property
or drugs recovered.

Crimestoppers offers rewards, Dersch explained, to address the apathy
of citizens. The anonymity of the program addresses people's fear,
about going to the police with information.

Dersch said there is often a negative connotation about going to the
police. But by doing so, he said, "you're not doing anything wrong."

He emphasized that providing information helps victims of crime and
the community.

"Silence is identifying with the lawbreaker," he said. "And there is a
victim. Should they (the criminal) not be accountable? Being a victim
is not very much fun."

Saskatchewan Crimestoppers also gives presentations in schools. Dersch
said many students are reluctant to tell on their friends.

But he explained that with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, it is rare
that students will get charged or go to jail, unless it is a very
serious crime or drug trafficking. The tip line lets students stand up
for the victim yet still be anonymous.

The Crimestoppers process is simple. Call 1-800-222-TIPS and you'll be
given a tip number as a means of identification.

An investigation is conducted and if it's successful, the tipster gets
a reward. You can pick up the reward at any financial institution in
the province, and are identified only by the tip number.

Since it began in 1987, the Saskatchewan Crimestoppers program has
solved crime and seized property and drugs in excess of $14.5 million.
They've cleared 3,356 cases and made 2,620 arrests.

The program covers the provincial RCMP and a few municipalities.

Most major cities have their own program.

The provincial program currently gets about 470-500 tips a month, but
it can vary.

Dersch explained it's only two per cent of the population that
willingly gets involved with criminal acts in a community.

"Crimestoppers gives that 98 per cent an avenue to address criminal
acts," he said.

He recognized, however, that it's not always easy for people to come
forward with information.

But he hoped that the community would utilize the safety of the tip
line.

"It takes guts to do the right thing," he said.