CRIME STOPPERS TIPS CONTINUED TO RISE LAST YEAR

Toronto Crime Stoppers received more than 5,000 tips that led to 474
arrests and 1,808 charges being laid last year, a record-breaker for the
crime-fighting program.

The tips in 2004 also led to more than $31 million in drugs being seized,
according to officials.

Callers to the program's 24-hour hotline, 416-222-TIPS, remain anonymous
and are eligible for a $2,000 reward. There was $77,800 approved last year
for rewards.

"It was a very rewarding year for the program. The number of tips and
arrests are way up. The program is working," said Toronto Crime Stoppers
chair Lorne Simon. "People are getting the message that Crime Stoppers is
an alternative to going to the police with information about a crime."

Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino said the anonymity of the program
provides a "unique and effective way" for people to get involved in
maintaining the safety and security of their communities by allowing them
to give information about unsolved crime or illegal activity without fear
or retribution.

PARTNERSHIPS

"The success of the Crime Stoppers program is linked directly to the
co-operative partnership between the public, media and the police," he added.

The program was established in 1976 in the U.S.; it came to Toronto in 1984.

There are now 1,200 Crime Stoppers programs in 20 countries.

Last year also saw a drop in traffic fatalities and murders in the city.

Toronto Police investigated 62 homicides in 2004, four less than the year
before.

There were 65 traffic fatalities in 2004, down from the 74 fatalities in 2003.