Media Release
Crime Stoppers Month was officially launched today.
Various Crime Stoppers programs in more than 20 countries around the world marked the event with the unveiling of proclamations, special flag raising ceremonies, presentations to municipal councils and in some communities the doubling of rewards paid for tips during January.
Crime Stoppers Month was officially designated by Crime Stoppers International in Edmonton, Alberta in 1986 and since that time has been recognized by world leaders, including the President of the United States, George Bush and Canada’s Prime Minister Paul Martin.
This year, Mr. Martin said Crime Stoppers has played an important role in keeping communities safe.
“This relationship between police, the media and the community has resulted in over one millions cases being solved worldwide – a wonderful accomplishment and a real testament to the success of this program,” the Prime Minister wrote in a letter to Crime Stoppers programs in acknowledgement of Crime Stoppers Month.
“I know that this month will serve to promote the program and its achievements and I would like to commend everyone involved with Crime Stoppers for their contributions to fighting and reducing crime,” Mr. Martin’s letter states.
A proclamation signed by Acting Governor Richard J. Codey in New Jersey described Crime Stoppers as the largest crime fighting organization in the world.
“Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement, fear and apathy,” the New Jersey proclamation states.
Steve Walrath of Beloit, Wisconsin, the president of Crime Stoppers International, the umbrella organization that oversees the more than 1,200 Crime Stoppers programs around the globe, said 2006 is an extremely significant year for Crime Stoppers because it’s the 30th anniversary of the first program that was established in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1976.
Walrath also said Crime Stoppers Month is an important time to demonstrate the work programs do to combat crime.
The theme of this year’s Crime Stoppers Month is “Building a Better Future” and Walrath said Crime Stoppers is working in partnership as a non-governmental organization to assist the United Nations in combating crime and has hopes of developing programs in third world regions to improve the quality of life for everyone.
Crime Stoppers programs in several countries are now taking tips that will assist in preventing terrorist acts and callers to Crime Stoppers have already provided law enforcement and intelligence agencies with vital information, he said.
Accumulative statistics up to the end of December 2005, compiled from all programs around the world, show tips to Crime Stoppers are responsible for solving more than 1.1 million cases, the arrests of 612,944 individuals the recovery of $1.5 billion in stolen property and the seizure of $6 billion in illicit drugs.
Cases Cleared 1,146,569
Arrests Made 612,944
Rewards Paid $73,283,035
Property Rcvd. $1,570,213,441
Drugs Seized $6,063,341,429
Total $ Rcvd. $7,633,554,870
In Ontario, Premier Dalton McGuinty praised Crime Stoppers saying the program has been instrumental in bringing together the community, the media and the police in the fight against crime.
“Crime Stoppers has played, and continues to play, a vital role in building safer, healthier and more vibrant communities,” Premier McGuinty wrote in a letter acknowledging Crime Stoppers Month.
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the dedicated staff and volunteers with all Crime Stoppers program, and the members of the local media and police forces who assist them, for their tireless efforts to make our province a stronger and safer place to live and work,” he said.
A proclamation signed by Halifax Mayor Peter J. Kelly officially declares January 2006 as Crime Stoppers Month in Nova Scotia.
The proclamation urges everyone “to give thoughtful support and understanding” to Crime Stoppers and said the program strengthens and enriches the lives of citizens in the province.
“Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement: fear and apathy,” the mayor’s proclamation states.
Pueblo Police Chief Jim Billings said Crime Stoppers is the best friend law enforcement has during the launch of Crime Stoppers Month in their community.
“We treasure what you do for us and I hope we’re partners forever,” Billings said.
The Lamar County Crime Stoppers program in Texas doubles the amount it pays for each reward during the month of January and in El Paso city council issued a proclamation declaring January as Crime Stoppers Month.
Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Monte Kwinter, joined Toronto Mayor David Miller and Police Chief William Blair in unveiling a proclamation for Crime Stoppers Month and in Barrie, the Simcoe, Dufferin and Muskoka Crime Stoppers participated in a flag raising ceremony at city hall.
|
|