Prince George residents have never called Crime Stoppers with so many tips, generated so many arrests or led police to more weapons than in 2011.
The independent crime information service set records in all three of those categories this past year, plus directed police to seize $7 million worth of drugs and stolen property. It is the second year in a row the local organization has set new benchmarks.
"Prince George Crime Stoppers would like to thank the citizens of Prince George and surrounding areas for providing vital information that has led to these record numbers," said Jack Hooper, Crime Stoppers-Prince George president. He said more than 750 tips were received in 2011 by phone, email and text message.
The tips are passed on to police with no way of tracing who provided the tip. Crime Stoppers messages are kept fully anonymous, even if they qualify for rewards. Many tipsters claim cash rewards and never have to disclose their identity to authorities.
"When providing tips, please be as detailed as possible and remember, we don't want your name, just your information," Hooper said.
He said that of all the tips generated last year, 25 were approved for a cash reward (the board decides which ones qualify and the amount up to $5,000 it should receive) and only six claimed the money.
"That tells you that people are not doing it for the money, they are doing it for the community good," said Hooper. "I think people are just done with crime. They've had enough and they are reporting what they see. Ever since the crime summit [the event in 2010 co-ordinated by Community Policing, RCMP and The Citizen] I have felt a real shift in the community's attitude. People want to do something about crime, and when they call in tips that is something that can really do some good."
Hooper said 2011 was also important to the local branch because of the introduction of a text messaging feature. Now, he said, local tipsters could send in information via the three Ts: talk (on the phone), type (on their website) and text (on smartphones).
"The south is way ahead of us on texting," but he expected it to catch on quickly around this area in short order.
If Hooper had a 2012 resolution for Crime Stoppers it would be to further explore how the Prince George office could serve the greater northern region. The only other top-half towns with a Crime Stoppers are Fort St. John and Prince Rupert, so many smaller communities could perhaps be helped by a central service run out of the northern capital.
January is Crime Stoppers month.
Hooper said the public is always welcome to make contact via the Crime Stoppers website for volunteering or sponsorship help, and there would be appearances by the organization coming up at UNBC basketball games and Spruce Kings hockey games.
Call 1-800-222-TIPS, log on to
www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or send a text message to CRIMES (274637) with the key word PGTIPS.
