CRIME STOPPERS TAKING MESSAGE TO LOCAL STUDENTS

Local News - WELLAND - With January being Crime Stoppers month, Karin Keir
is highlighting the successes of the program.

With 1 1/2 years under her belt as Crime Stoppers Niagara co-ordinator, Keir
is also taking her message to high school and college students.

Her reason for targeting students is simple.

"The kids know who's selling drugs, who's planning a break and enter. I've
made a real effort to reach out to them."

She says students are gradually tuning in to the message that they can call
Crime Stoppers if they are uncomfortable telling their parents or teachers.

She's looking to bolster its presence among Niagara College and Brock
University students, as well.

Keir says the month is a chance to spotlight the benefits of the program.

The Crime Stoppers program started in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1976 and
has since spread around the world. Crime Stoppers Niagara was launched in
1985.

In 2003, tips to the program resulted in 42 arrests, including one for
murder.

As well, the program helped recover three stolen cars and close down 15
marijuana grow houses.

In its nearly 20 years, Crime Stoppers Niagara has helped police recover
$9.2 million worth of property and seize more than $5 million in illicit
drugs, while paying out nearly $108,000 in rewards.

"This is not a burden to the taxpayer. It's a win-win situation," Keir says

One of the main problems the Niagara College graduate has is convincing
would-be tipsters that they will remain anonymous and will not have to
testify in court.

Tipsters are protected by the same Supreme Court of Canada decision that
protects police informants. In addition to their legal protection, Crime
Stoppers has a vested interest in keeping its tipsters satisfied.

"We're only as effective as our tips," she says.

The program doesn't trace calls - Keir's office phone isn't even equipped to
have call display. And she doesn't ask for names.

Tipsters are given a code number which they use for subsequent calls and to
collect any reward money they are eligible for. (Tips that lead to arrests
can yield a reward of up to $1,000.)

The tips are passed along to the police - normally the Niagara Regional
Police, the OPP or the RCMP - for investigation, with priority given to tips
regarding violent crimes and large scale drug crimes.

Crime Stoppers month has another purpose: Keir uses it to drum up financial
support.

The program is a charity and relies on contributions from businesses and
individuals for its operating expenses and tip payments.

The Niagara Regional Police provide office space but no other support.

"We rely on donations from corporations," she says.