Each year Crime Stoppers programs around the world celebrate Crime Stoppers Month in January to highlight successes and promote their crime fighting initiatives.
Last year was another successful year for Crime Stoppers of Wellington County as it assisted police and other government agencies in seizing over $26.2-million in illicit drugs and stolen property since its inception in 1988.
Crime Stoppers International, the umbrella organization for Crime Stoppers programs throughout the world, has established itself as a reputable force in the battle against international crime.
As a non-governmental organization, the international group is lending its expertise to the United Nations office on drugs and crime and has partnered with the it to combat human smuggling and terrorism.
Gary Murphy, the president of Crime Stoppers International, is pleased with the expansion of more than 1,200 programs in 24 countries world wide. Cumulative totals of the 1,200 programs have resulted in the seizure of drugs and recovery of stolen property totaling in excess of $9-billion.
Crime Stoppers is a civilian community organization devised to acquire information that assists law enforcement agencies in solving crime.
It pays cash rewards up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals, recovery of stolen property, or seizure of illegal drugs while maintaining total anonymity to the caller.
The Crime Stoppers program is made up of three elements – the community, the media, and law enforcement.
The community is involved through its local volunteer board of directors and through those community members who provide tip information and funds for the maintenance of the program.
The media publicize case re-enactments or details about a case not yet solved or a person wanted on a warrant.
Law enforcement receives the anonymous tip information from the office staff and follow the information through to its conclusion.
The program in Wellington County was formed in May of 1988.
It is a fully functioning, registered, non-profit charitable corporation.
It receives no government funding to pay callers for their information. Money to pay callers is raised through donations and fund-raising activities held by the board of directors. The board is comprised of a group of volunteer, dedicated and concerned citizen’s in the community.
To become a board member or assist in volunteering at an event, call 519-846-5371.
Crime Stoppers of Wellington County statistics since its inception 1988:
– number of calls 12,199;
– rewards approved, $114,520;
– cases cleared 2,022;
– Arrests, 1,231;
– property recovered $9,712,358;
– narcotics recovered $16,542,432; and
– total amount recovered $26,254,790.
