POLICE DEPEND ON TIPS IN WAR ON DRUGS

Anonymous tipsters were an invaluable source of information to
regional police in their war on marijuana grow operations in Waterloo
Region last year.

Because of Crime Stoppers' anonymity policy and not tracing calls or
using call display, residents seem more comfortable sharing
information about illegal activity they suspect is happening in their
neighbourhoods, said Sergeant Jim Erstad, head of the Waterloo Region
Crime Stoppers.

"From a policing standpoint, it's been an effective tool because it
provides information to police they wouldn't normally get otherwise.
It's a starting point, from which investigators can build a case,"
said Erstad, who before joining Crime Stoppers last January was a
member of the regional police drug squad.

While all the statistics for 2001 haven't been compiled yet, Erstad
said information from Crime Stoppers resulted in a "significant
number" of drug raids in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo last year.

In total, Crime Stoppers received 924 tips last year that led to 80
arrests and 166 criminal charges being laid. As a result, regional
police seized 40 weapons and took $1.5-million worth of crack cocaine
and marijuana off the streets.

While it wasn't a record-breaking year, Erstad said 60 outstanding
cases were solved as a result of the information provided through
Crime Stoppers. But not everyone who aided police is as interested in
cashing in on the reward as "doing the right thing." Each year
rewards authorized by the non-profit organization go unclaimed.

While Crime Stoppers works closely with police, it is an independent,
self-funded organization whose daily operations are determined by a
volunteer board of directors. Regional police pay Erstad's salary and
the wages of a full-time civilian assistant, as well as providing
office space at police headquarters on Maple Grove Road. But that's
were the police connection ends.

Because the tips received are anonymous there is no way for officers
to track down the people who provide them, nor is there any fear the
tipster will have to testify in court.

That fear is one of the main reasons why the public doesn't want to
get involved in testifying against a criminal.

With Crime Stoppers, that fear is eliminated and people have peace of
mind in knowing they didn't turn the other cheek without risking
their personal safety.

There are some 900 Crime Stoppers programs world wide, with 41 of
those in Ontario. The Waterloo Region chapter was formed in 1987 and
since its inception efforts have concentrated on heightening
awareness in the community.

"One of the greatest tools we have is the media, who get the message
out to the public," Erstad said.

In addition to The Cambridge Reporter, other area newspapers,
television and radio stations regularly spotlight unsolved crimes as
a community service.

Last year, Crime Stoppers added "sandwich signs" to its arsenal. The
two-sided signs are posted at crime scenes throughout the region or
where investigators are concentrating their investigation. Not only
do the signs keep the community informed about what's happening in
their neighbourhood, it may end up encouraging more people to call
with information about the crime and lead to an arrest.

As good as the program is doing, Erstad said plans for 2002 include
tapping into a new source - high school students.

"The goal is to raise Crime Stoppers awareness in the region's high
schools," he said.

The program, which is still being developed, would encourage students
to report drug use or any other crimes in the schools without the
fear of being labelled a snitch.

And this month - which is Crime Stoppers month in Ontario - the local
chapter will be hosting an appreciation night Jan. 24 to recognize
its community partners.

Other Waterloo Region Crime Stoppers highlights:

* More than $134,000 in stolen property and proceeds of crime was
recovered in 2001.

* Since 1987, there have been 1,471 arrests and 3,437 charges laid as
a result of Crime Stoppers.

* A total of 1,981 cases have been solved in the last 14 years.

* And 914 cash rewards totalling more than $180,000 have been
authorized to be paid out since 1987.