Prince George Crime Stoppers heaped some recognition some hidden heroes this week when it named the Prince George RCMP's street crew unit Watch of the Year.
Because the members work under cover to combat drug and property crime, media were asked not to take their pictures when Crime Stoppers representative Ron Polillo presented them with a plaque during a ceremony at the detachment. But he said they were part of a banner year for the program which provides anonymous tips to the RCMP, gathered in turn via a hotline and a website.
"The street crew unit has utilized vital information provide through the Crime Stoppers program to seek out and arrest shoe criminals doing the most harm to our community," Polillo said. "Their efforts have made a significant impact on both the drug trade and property crime in Prince George and surrounding areas."
Names of the members were limited to Sgt. Chad Chamberlain, who leads the unit, and Cst. Kevin Reid, who was named Officer of the Year.
2019 was a banner year, Polillo said, because the program received a record 700 tips - up from 586 in 2018 - and in turn, they resulted in 14 arrests, six cases cleared, the seizure of $1.8 million worth of drugs and $545,657 in cash. Eleven awards adding up to $2,490 were approved.
Crime Stoppers welcomes tips at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
