A Crime Stoppers Tip

You can submit a tip online at www.stopcrimehere.ca or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS

Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers is a registered non-profit charitable organization. We do not receive funding from any level of government or any police agency. It is an on going challenge to keep this program financially sound. This is accomplished through donations and a number of fund raising events through out the year (view our Home Page for upcoming events!) .

Our board is comprised of 100 per cent volunteers who unselfishly give countless hours to not only administering the program but promoting and fund raising to keep this vital program alive. Board members represent both counties and come from all walks of life. At present there are 12 board members as well as two Police Coordinators, who have non-voting status on the board. For 2016, our Chairperson is Dave Houston and our Vice – Chair is Ken Erskine. Our Police Coordinators are Detective Constable Keith Calderwood of the Peterborough  Police Service and OPP Constable Greg Stokes.

The Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers (PNCS) was incorporated in 1987 as Peterborough Crime Stoppers. At that time the Northumberland area was covered by a separate chapter. In 1998 the two chapters amalgamated to form our present program.

PNCS is dedicated to keeping our two counties a safe, vibrant place to live, work and visit. To do so requires a committed effort by our community partners: the police, the public and the media.

STATISTICS

What is Crime Stoppers?

Crime Stoppers is a civilian, non profit, charitable organization that brings together in a triparte relationship, the police services of a community, the media and the community in the fight against crime.

Crime Stoppers provides citizens with a vehicle to anonymously supply the police with information about a crime or potential crime of which they have knowledge. Cash rewards are offered to people who call the program and their information leads to an arrest.

Who administers the Crime Stoppers Program?

A volunteer board of Directors actively administers and is responsible for the program. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit charitable organization and is responsible for raising funds and the disbursements of rewards. The Board of Directors work in close cooperation with the Police Service and all areas of the media.

How is the Crime Stoppers program funded?

Crime Stoppers is a community project supported by donations of money, goods or services. Contributions from individuals, corporations, clubs, professional associations, retailers, civic and social groups keep the Crime Stoppers program functional. All donations to a Crime Stoppers Society are tax deductible.

How did Crime Stoppers begin?

In July 1976, in Albuquerque New Mexico, a university student was killed during a gas station robbery. After 6 weeks of investigation the police had very few leads as to who was responsible. Police investigators thought that if the public was able to observe a re-enactment of the crime on television this might lead to a citizen providing information that may lead to an arrest.

The police investigators were right. A caller contacted the police Department the next day after seeing the re-enactment. The tip information was enough to lead the police to the two men who were responsible. Within 72 hours of the re-enactment being aired, the police had solved the murder. This was the beginning of Crime Stoppers.

Since the program started, there are now more than 1700 Crime Stoppers programs worldwide in 32 countries. More than 425,000 crimes have been solved since the programs inception and over $8 billion worth of stolen property and narcotics have been seized.

How does Crime Stoppers work?

The Crime Stoppers tip line is staffed by trained personnel who receive, process, and pass on tip information to investigating officers. Callers are given a code number which is used in all subsequent calls and callers do not have to identify themselves.

A reward of up to $2,000 is offered to anyone providing information which leads to an arrest for a crime. Rewards may also be made for information leading to the recovery of stolen property, the seizure of illegal drugs or an arrest on an outstanding warrant.

The media is a very important component of Crime Stoppers. An unsolved crime may be re-enacted and shown on television or may be publicized in a newspaper or aired on the radio. The media also brings the program to the attention of the public.