Pubdate: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 Source: West Prince Graphic (CN PI) Copyright: 2006 Island Publishing Limited Contact: http://www.peicanada.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2352 Author: Jonathon Riley Tip Line AIDS RCMP West Prince RCMP say their new "Hello Phone" is helping them gather information on drug and other crime. The "Hello Phone" is a tip line much like Crimestoppers says Cpl Michelle Mercer of the West Prince Detachment. Any one with information for the police can call the "Hello Phone" at 853-3933, but all emergency calls should still go through 911. The tip line is sometimes answered if an officer happens to be in the office but is also set up with voicemail, and can be called anytime. She stresses the line should not be called by anyone looking for help or an immediate response. "This is not an emergency phone," says Cpl Mercer. " This is for people who have some information on street level drugs, stolen property or any other criminal activity. People can leave their information anonymously or leave their name and number if they wish." She says the RCMP are glad to receive any information and will follow up on any leads. The idea comes from a strategy usually used with "a major project like a murder investigation." In cases like that the RCMP often sets up a temporary tip line and this is a take off from that idea. "The general public were looking to us for more enforcement with street level drugs," says Cpl Mercer. "So we assigned a dedicated officer to that beat full-time and at the same time we set up the tip line." The RCMP hasn't advertised the number widely, but have only mentioned it at meetings or in one-on-one situations. She could not comment on how many calls the line receives or how helpful it has been with local crime. At a recent community council meeting in O'Leary, West Prince RCMP officers credited the tip line for much of the detachment's recent success against drug crime in the area. "We are only as strong as the community support we get, " says Cpl Mercer. "This is one way they can assist us." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake