CRIME STOPPERS NEEDS FUNDING OR IT'S FINISHED: JOHANN

Cornwall - If the city police can't find close to $12,000 a year for
Crime Stoppers, the local agency may be forced to fold.

In a letter addressed to Mayor Bob Kilger and delivered to the
members of the Cornwall Community Police Service Board Wednesday, the
police co-ordinator for the group asks for a yearly commitment of
$11,411 to help offset the payroll costs of two part-time employees
who man the Crime Stoppers phones eight hours a day, five days a week.

"Without this funding, there will be no Crime Stoppers board in the
Seaway Valley," said George Johann, police co-ordinator for Seaway
Valley Crime Stoppers. "We need to have the community take ownership
of this program."

Johann said the group has relied heavily upon the sale of pull-tab
tickets, commonly known as Nevadas, to fund their operations.

"Years ago, that was enough; we made enough money off Nevadas to
cover our costs," said Johann. "But these days, there are a lot more
choices out there for people who want to buy these kinds of tickets
and of course we have to give over much of the money we take in
through prizes that are won."

Johann said the group also has to remit a portion of the money they
take in to the provincial government.

"Last year, we had to give the government $14,000," said Johann.
"That could have taken care of the costs we're asking the city police
department to cover."

Johann said the agency's co-ordinator is provided by the Ontario
Provincial Police, a law enforcement agency which also provides
office space and some office supplies.

The group is now asking for the city police and the RCMP to each
cover about 30 per cent of the annual operating costs.

Although Johann said the anonymous nature of the program often
prevents it from "blowing our own horn," he wanted to make sure the
city police board was aware of the value of a continued partnership
between Crime Stoppers and police agencies.

Since its inception in 1992, Johann said, the agency has received
7,163 tips which have resulted in 1,398 crimes being solved.

He said 2,306 charges have been laid and police have recovered $11.8
million in property and illicit drugs.

"Just last month, a Crime Stoppers tip led to the Monkland marijuana
indoor grow ($3.1 million in plants) and eight arrests," said Johann.

"This had the potential to be the largest grow in Ontario ($3 million
per month) but was nipped in the bud as a result of Crime Stoppers."

Deputy Police Chief Danny Aikman told the board he would prepare a
report about the partnership between the agencies and provide it to
board members.

The request is expected to be debated at the next board meeting.