HURON CRIME STOPPERS' PROGRAM GETTING MORE CALLS,
GREATER AWARENESS

Seaforth Huron Expositor -- While Crime Stoppers' month is recognized
around the world every January, Crime Stoppers of Huron County is
celebrating a very successful 2004.

According to Crime Stoppers of Huron County chair Lisa Campbell, last
year the organization was "hugely successful" in the area.

"Our calls are up, which means people are becoming more aware of Crime
Stoppers and are more willing to call in," Campbell said.

Because of tips given last year, $87,000 worth of stolen property was
recovered and $348,000 in drugs seized -- a total of $438,000.

Crime Stoppers of Huron County cleared 104 cases, which resulted in 11
arrests.

Last year, Crime Stoppers of Huron County rewarded a total of $3,500
to tipsters.

Calls received by Crime Stoppers, Campbell said, range from drugs, to
reports of people driving without seat belts and insurance Crime
Stoppers is a non-profit program relying on cooperation between the
police, news media and members of the community.

"With Crime Stoppers you really don't have to get involved other than
making one phone call," said Campbell. "It's your choice if you want
to make a follow-up phone call to collect reward money if we solve the
crime."

Crime Stoppers encourages people to call with information to solve any
crimes already committed, those about to occur or the whereabouts of
wanted persons.

"Crime Stoppers is designed to give people a safe way to call in
without feeling any risk to themselves as a caller," she said.

Campbell explained that any tips phoned into Crime Stoppers will be
investigated by the OPP.

"People think that if they're calling something in to the OPP that
they're ratting someone out," said Campbell. "That's not the case;
they're being a conscious citizen."