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Crime Stoppers Touts Importance of Volunteers
April 17, 2009, Simcoe, Ontario - Did you know that without volunteers, the Crime Stoppers program could not exist? Did you know an 18 member volunteer board of directors owns the Crime Stoppers program and it is because of their dedicated efforts that communities across Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg are safer for everyone? In order to honor the efforts of volunteers across Canada and help celebrate “National Volunteer Week” (April 19 – 25, 2009), Crime Stoppers wants everyone to understand how volunteers are vital to the crime fighting program.
Very often when people hear “Crime Stoppers” they automatically think that the program is a police initiative. This is a common misconception. In reality, Crime Stoppers is a community based, nonprofit organization that is owned and governed by a volunteer board of directors. This board mandates the program’s day to day operations, makes all decisions regarding tipster rewards and is responsible for ALL fundraising to maintain the program.
The volunteers who make up the Crime Stoppers board of directors come from different walks of life and from different geographic locations but they all have one goal in common - safer communities! They are definitely the backbone of the program and give freely of their time and expertise and are commitment to stopping, solving and preventing crime in our neighborhoods.
The other two vital partners leading to the success of Crime Stoppers are the media - who donate space and time to advertise the program, its toll free number & website and unsolved crimes; and the police - who contribute to the program by donating manpower (ie coordinators) and by investigating the tips that come into the program.
It is the combined effort of these three partners that has led to the fantastic success of the local program in Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg. Last year, the local program celebrated its 20th anniversary and since inception in 1988, Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, Norfolk and Tillsonburg has assisted the police in the seizure of over $33.5 million worth of illegal narcotics, the recovery of more than $4.2 million worth of stolen property and the laying of over 4900 charges.
Crime Stoppers gives people an anonymous, confidential way to relay information to investigators without ever having to get involved as a witness. The program’s toll free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) line and www.helpsolvecrime.com webtips line are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and cash rewards up to $2000 are offered for information that leads to an arrest or charge. If you want to get involved as a volunteer with Crime Stoppers, contact your local program by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).