Pubdate: Wed, 20 May 2009 Source: Quesnel Cariboo Observer (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Quesnel Cariboo Observer Contact: http://www.quesnelobserver.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1260 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) AWARD-WINNING CRIME STOPPERS Quesnel Crime Stoppers organization is the recipient of two prestigious awards handed out at the recent 2009 Crime Stoppers Training Conference held in Vernon B.C. The team won the 2008 Crime Stoppers Milestone Award. This award recognizes excellence for tips leading to drug seizures in communities with populations of fewer than 20,000. Quesnel RCMP launched an extensive investigation initiated by a Crime Stoppers tip, which resulted in the seizure of more than 2,000 marijuana plants, with an estimated "street value" of $1 million. The tipster received a substantial cash award for the information provided. Quesnel Crime Stoppers also won the 2008 Crime Stoppers Program of the Year Award. These awards are a real shot in the arm for the Quesnel program. This shows that by submitting your anonymous tips, you can help stop crime and contribute to the community's safety. Crime Stoppers has been active in Quesnel since April 1986. In that time, tips have led to 54 arrests, $867,000 worth of property seized, $3 million in narcotics seized and total payouts to anonymous tipsters of more than $24,000. Keith Hildebrand, former RCMP Staff Sergeant in Quesnel, and now coordinator of Community Policing said that Crime Stoppers are "extremely helpful" in helping the law enforcement agencies. The organization is always looking for volunteers who are keen to play a role in crime prevention. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization operated by a board of directors made up of civilian volunteers who work in partnership with law enforcement. Crime Stoppers follows the guidelines and directions set out by Crime Stoppers International in its day-to-day operation. Trained civilians answer its toll-free tips line (1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, taking completely anonymous tips on any criminal activity. If you have any information about a crime that has been committed: - - call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or enter a tip online; - - your information will be taken in strictest confidence. You never have to give your name; - - you will be given a tip code number. This should be kept to yourself in order to retain your anonymity; - - After several weeks, call Crime Stoppers back, giving your confidential tip code number and you will receive an update on the status of the investigation; - - tips that lead to the arrest of suspects, as well as the recovery of stolen property and drugs, are eligible for cash rewards of up to $2,000, which are paid to tipsters on an anonymous basis; - - we don't want your name, just your information that can help solve a crime. For information or to see what role you can play in crime prevention contact community policing manager Keith Hildebrand, 250-992-5743 or e-mail - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D