PARTNERS IN CRIME

Crime Stoppers Lets People 'Tip' Scales Against Criminals

SYDNEY - They really just want your information and not your name but
after almost 20 years, the average tipster to call Crime Stoppers is
still suspicious of that claim.

The citizen, media and police co-operative helps citizens anonymously
supply information about a crime or potential crime.

"I got a call from downstairs saying there is a lady there who wants
to check your phone," said office manager Ron Rowe, a 15-year
employee with Crime Stoppers, about one suspicious tipster. "I
thought it was the telephone company. This lady came in and just had
a look at our phone, asked if it was the one we take our calls on. I
said 'yes' and she just walked out the door. I wouldn't doubt at some
time after that I got a call from her."

Crime Stoppers was formed in 1976 in New Mexico when police showed a
re-enactment of an unsolved murder on local television followed by a
request for information. A caller provided key details that helped
solve the crime.

There are now 950 programs worldwide.

Cape Breton Crime Stoppers was incorporated in June 1987. Since then
calls to 562-TIPS (8477) have helped solve more than 608 crimes.

The Cape Breton program has been responsible for the recovery of
$874,070 in stolen property and the seizure of more than $1,556,690
worth of illegal drugs. To date, 555 people have been arrested and charged.

The program is administered by a volunteer board of directors.

Rowe takes most of the calls Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until
5 p.m. Basically, his job is to get as much information from callers
as possible.

"If you called me now and said your neighbour is selling drugs, you
might give me a name and say he might be selling drugs because there
is a lot of traffic at the house."

His followup questions help determine if a drug lord lives next door
or if it is simply the Avon lady.

Details on the type of drugs being sold, the name of the seller,
where the drugs are coming from and where they may be hidden are
typical followup questions.

A similar sequence is used with other crime reports.

Rowe reports findings to police who investigate and report back to
him. Findings are shared with tipsters who often call back for
updates and potential reward information.

To date, local cash rewards have totalled more than $64,625. That
translates to $1 paid in rewards for every $135 recovered to the community.

Reward money is raised through a variety of fundraising efforts, such
as even-split tickets and auctions. Fundraising also raises awareness
for the program.

The size of potential rewards depends on the importance of the
information to the investigation and the seriousness of the crime.

A foolproof procedure is in place to provide a tipster with his or
her reward. When information is offered, a corresponding
identification number is provided. Only Crime Stoppers and the caller
know the number.

"The only way I can give you information about that report is when
you call back and give me that report number."

If the tip leads to an arrest, arrangements are made to pick up the
reward. A volunteer driver will meet the tipster in daylight hours
with plenty of people around.

The reward is handed over only after a tipster provides their
identification number.

"The driver will not engage in conversation. He'll just pass you the
envelope and drive off and you are on your merry way."

If a tipster doesn't want to meet a driver, an envelope can be left
at a business.

"You just give me a fictitious name. I'll put that name on an
envelope and leave it at the Royal Bank or some other place. You just
go in and pick up an envelope."

A reward for a tip that leads to an arrest never expires.

"The reason is because New Brunswick had a tipster once in prison. At
a seminar they decided to hold the money because a tipster is a
tipster. You hold it until he can collect it."

A tipster's reward is now on the local books because information
provided led to a manslaughter conviction.

"The information they gave pinpointed who did the crime. The police
didn't know at the time. This didn't happen on the island. The person
gave us the information, we passed it on, the person was charged and
fessed up. We ended up with a $1,500 reward here for somebody. That
stays on the books until the person calls and identifies themselves."