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8 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 2,1999 487 Laudier Ave., 878-2881 ?oealyoue4 arer3yeAd Anonymity key to Crime Stoppers By HOWARD MOZEL Special ta The Champion When the head of Crime Stoppers of Hait on says she promises the anonymi- ty of ail informants, the survivai of the entire program depends on her word. "We guarantee that in Canada and we've gone as far as the Supreme Court to maintain confidentiality," says board of dirc- tors chair Karen Sunter. 'That's our whole, program, to protect the tipater." No information is ever released that might narrow down the identity of informants and Crime Stoppers doesn't subscribe to coul display. The lengths to which organizers go have certainly paid off: everything from murder and auto theft to fraud and bur- glary has been solved as a result of the program. "Many people don't want to get involved," said Ms Sunter. "We don't ask them to get involved, just to make an anonymous call." Crime Stoppera provides a means for people to relate crime- solving tips to police and pays cash to those whose information leada to arrests. No tax dollars are used for the rewards and the program depends on the generosity of companies, service clubs and individuals. Caîls are taken seven days a week, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-222-1IPS or locally at 825-TIPS. Tipsters often refuse rewards Tipsters can eall back using their code number to check on the progreas of an investigation and if an arrest is made, a reward will be paid. Ms Sunter said, however, that about 90 per cent of informants don't want the cash. "More often than not, people don't caîl back for the money. People are juat community-minded." Prom Crime Stoppera Halton's inception in December, 1989 to September of this year, this kind of grasaroots participation has racked up an impressive list of statistica: $1.6 million worth of drugs seized, $932,774 worth of property recovered, 1,003 police cases closed and 417 arresta. The value of illegal drugs seized in Halton as a result of anony- mous tipa tripled in 1998 thanks to, information forwarded to, Crime Stoppers. The value went up from $155,800 in 1997 to $472,380. Program shows results Anonymous tipa led to, the arrest of 28 people in 1998 and resulted in 58 charges. Even the value of stolen property rose 18 per cent from $16,500 in 1997 to $19,500 last year. Halton Regional Police Det. Lee-Ann Ansel makes it clear that Crime Stoppera is a community-based program staffed by volun- teers and that she's the only police offncer involved. That's not to say, of course, that law enforcement is not a vital component of the partnership that also involves Halton residents and aIl forma of media. Det. Ansel is also quick to, point out that tipa generated by Crime Stoppera are not a short cut 10, methodical police work. "They are juat another lead," she said. As far as the public is concemred, Ma Sunter's appeal to resi- dents to participate basically hinges on the Golden Rule. "Anything that con happen can happen to, you," she said. "And 1you wotîld like someone to help." Crime Stoppers launched by Canadian-born offficer Although Crime Stoppera began in the United States, the innovative program was actually founded by a Canadian-born police officer. John MacCleese was a member of the Albuquerque, New Mexico police depart- ment and in 1976 his investigation of a murder/robbery was going nowhere. ors, to mun an article in the local paper caîl- ing for anonymous witnesaes and 10 offer a reward from his own pocket. As luck would have it, a vital lead origi- nated from a call and within 24 hours Macleese had solved an unrelated rape. On 72 hours, Ye'd aolved the murder. Volunteer crime-, fi ght ers, wanted By HOWARD MOZEL Speciel ta The Champion Crime Stoppera of Halton is look- ing for volunteers te flesh out its already dedicated core of supporters, According 10 board of directors chair Karen Sunter, the program is alreody a success, but with even more people on board, a number of impor- tant new initiatives can maximize thse program'a potential. Particularly important, soya Halton Regional Police Del. Lee-Annt Atisell - thse only law enforcement member of Crime Stoppera of Halton - is thse marketing of thse program througlsout thse community. "My personial goal is te gel Crime Stoppera' phone number (1-800-222- TOPS or locally at, 825-TOPS) in every Isousehold and business," se said. Crime Stoppera of Halton was cre- ated in 1989, not as a police initiative, but by residents wanting to become involvord to improve their communi- ty. (Its firat chair was Stu Chapman, Burlingoon's Volunteer of thse Year for 1998.) Today, Crime.Stoppera is anchooed by an active O-member board that is spread a littie 100 thin 60, non new endeavors designed to spread tIse word about lIse pmogram. Ondividuals are needed, therefore. for a hoat of subcommîttees, such as fundraising (bingos etc.) and promo- tion (mail displays, poster drops). Odealy, says Det. AnselI, would be tIse creation of an 'ambassador pro- gram' similar to that mun by the Lions Foundation of Canada to actively promote Crime Stoppera. On short, a bank of volunteers ftom which tIse board can draw. 'We need maray more volunteers in a hoat of areas," said Det. Anssell, who con be contacted regarding vol- unteerism at1825-4747, ext. 5139.. (((Jer> e ( là % 1E www.cogeco.C8 Acton 21 Main Street North, Acton, ON L7J lV9 519-85341270, or 853-4700 COGECO 14 Programming Schedule - November 2nd - November Sth, 1999 lOin, Ilame, l2ps Noue ni lOam, Ilas, l2pm Encore 5:0 6:307 30pir Ploojed in! 5:30,6:30, 7:30pnr H» Seon S wa 6:00pr 7.00m MreY Wee l:0pr Hatre Hille 7:00p Coonl 8:00pn Feature thîs week, Stuff to sel PIrejed ni lOir, SEan, O2por PWlaedni 4p 5pc, 6:30pn Ouln ri Ore, OSai, l2pn Encore Encora Hlekeli se plin! 5:30,6:30,7:3e 16604 Hi! 4:3O0co NLocal Smor 530630.730p cm e he 6:9 NîtLuicSm 5:30 fl>l 60pn Clarair IS0» lh e ise.. 7:0 seaplalk 8:0mHala Region Monr C il Cmil O Opoi Il? Edge Goba cati move your unwanted Items on "Swap Talk" - Uv. Wednesday , 7 pmn Phiggod hi! Encore Plugged h! LMet On île SporsOONE Lwe ~1 q',