Crimestoppers a hit

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Statistics prove Saskatchewan's Crime Stoppers program, which began in 1987, is working extremely well, says an RCMP official.

It only works because of the direct link between the RCMP, the public and the media, said Sgt. Ben Walsh at an all-chiefs conference in Saskatoon.

He said many crimes, which are solved because of Crime Stoppers, "would probably not be solved or would take an indefinite time to solve if not for the program because of recent police cutbacks and the cost of policing these crimes."

Walsh said the RCMP needs the help of all Saskatchewan residents to combat crime.

He says wooden Crime Stoppers signs are now being put up across the province and are available to communities for $20 each.

"These signs are yellow and very visible, especially in winter."

Over the last three years, $555,000 in stolen property has been recovered and $171,000 illegal drugs have been seized and taken off the streets because of Crime Stoppers, said Walsh.

"We have laid 530 criminal charges and in the last two years, two murders have been solved near Prince Albert and Saskatoon. It shows the program is working."

Walsh said Crime Stoppers is a community project supported by donations of money, goods and services from individuals, private sources, corporations, clubs and associations.

He said the project is a community service awards program that combines the police, media and the public in a crime-solving effort for the province.

An informant can receive up to $200 for information that leads to the solving of a crime. His identity isn't revealed, nor is he required to testify.

"Crime Stoppers has a toll-free line (1-800-667-8477) that serves the province. The caller is given a number and we run a check on the information given, usually up to 10 days. If the callers' information is correct, they receive cash awards," explained Walsh.

Walsh said many break and enter cases have been solved because of Crime Stoppers.

He said unsolved crimes are re-enacted and featured on television and publicized on radio and in newspapers.

Walsh told the chiefs that by offering cash awards and anonymity, Crime Stoppers has eliminated the two biggest obstacles that normally keeps the public from getting involved - fear and apathy.