The Times Advocate, 2004-01-14, Page 3Wednesday,January 14, 2004
Exeter Times–Advocate
3
Crime Stoppers Month recognizes worldwide effort to fight crime
By Mary Simmons
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
HURON COUNTY — In
the 28 years since the
first Crime Stoppers pro-
gram was established in
Albuquerque, New
Mexico in September
1976 tips have led to the
arrest of more than
500,000 individuals, the
recovery of $1.4 billion in
stolen property and the
seizure of drugs with a
street value estimated at
more than $4.4 billion.
"These are staggering
figures," Steve Walrath,
president of Crime
Stoppers International
said. "There is no other
program that can boast
the success that Crime
Stoppers has achieved in
combating crime."
In an effort to commem-
orate the worldwide suc-
cess of Crime Stoppers,
January is observed as
Crime Stoppers Month.
The decision to pro-
claim Crime Stoppers
Month in January was
made in 1986 at the
Crime Stoppers
International conference
in Edmonton, Alta. and
since that time programs
in 24 countries have
taken the opportunity to
highlight their accom-
plishments in fighting
crime and keeping streets
safe.
On Jan. 6 the more than
1,000 programs in com-
munities around the
world will officially
launch January as Crime
Stoppers Month.
Huron County Crime
Stoppers Chairperson
Lisa Campbell said it's
important for the public
to be aware of the
achievements
the Crime
Stoppers pro-
gram has had
since being set
up in the
county in
March 1988.
Campbell
said Crime
Stoppers
Month gives
the volunteers
involved in the program
the opportunity to
announce the annual sta-
tistics and thank those
who have assisted to
make Huron County
Crime Stoppers such a
successful crime fighting
organization in our com-
munity.
Senior Constable Steve
Beasley, police co-ordina-
tor of Huron County
Crime Stoppers, said the
program wouldn't
achieve the results it has
without the volunteer
efforts of the board of
directors.
"They donate countless
hours to raise funds for
rewards and to operate
the Crime Stoppers hot-
line where people can
call with information
about unsolved crime,"
Beasley said.
"It appears to me that
the citizens of South
Huron are becoming
more involved in Crime
Stoppers as I have
noticed our tips from
South Huron are on the
rise , "
Beasley
said.
In total,
Beasley
said there
was an 18
per cent
increase in
the num-
ber of calls
or tips in
2003.
"I believe this is due to
our increased number of
public presentations,"
Beasley said, adding
there were 60 in 2003 as
compared to 22 in 2002.
In past years local pro-
grams have engaged in a
variety of activities to
promote Crime Stoppers
Month. Some have
obtained proclamations
from state and provincial
representatives or local
mayors while others have
used the opportunity to
kick off major fundraising
or crime fighting initia-
tives.
One Canadian program
marks Crime Stoppers
Month by sponsoring a
Polar Bear swim where
participants jump into the
frigid waters of Lake
"There is no other
program that can
boast the success that
Crime Stoppers has
achieved in combating
crime."
STEVE WALRATH,
PRESIDENT OF CRIME
STOPPERS INTERNATIONAL
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financial pledges from
supporters.
While there aren't any
events like that planned
in Huron County, Beasley
said there will be a dis-
play set up in the
Suncoast Mall in
Goderich.
Walrath said United
States President George
W. Bush and a number of
other world leaders have
recognized the efforts of
Crime Stoppers, including
Canada's just -retired
Prime Minister Jean
Chretien and British
Prime Minister Tony
Blair.
Bush acknowledged
Crime Stoppers during a
State of the Union
address and previously
during Crime Stoppers
Month commended the
program for helping cre-
ate safer communities
and reducing crime,
Walrath said.
Walrath pointed out
that Giuliano (Zack)
Z a c c a r d e l l i,
Commissioner of the
Royal Canadian Mounted
Police, also praised the
efforts of Crime Stoppers,
saying it has significantly
helped police officers
combat criminal activity.
"Volunteers on local
Crime Stoppers boards do
what they can to make
sure the program is a
success," Walrath said.
"They try to keep the fun
in fundraising, but they
know crime fighting is a
serious business and are
deeply committed to
ensuring they provide a
safe and secure world
today and for generations
to come."
2003 Huron County Crime Stoppers
statistics:
• 90 cases cleared.
• Five arrests.
• $1,300 in rewards paid out.
• $12,400 in property recovered.
• $272,772 in narcotics recovered.
Since March 1988:
• 625 cases cleared.
• 343 arrests.
• $21,775 in rewards paid out.
• $427,509 in property recovered.
• $2,815,806 in narcotics recovered.
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