Since its launch in 2001, Crime Stoppers of York Region has doled out more than $460,000 in rewards to tipsters who provided information anonymously on local crimes that led to arrests.
In a message posted to Twitter Jan. 7, along with key statistics up to Dec. 31, 2019, the York Region chapter of the Ontario Crime Stoppers program thanked the community and media for their support.
“Community safety is a shared responsibility,” the group said on social media. “We share this success with you!”
Here is a by-the-numbers look at York Region’s cumulative Crime Stoppers statistics:
- 33,669: Tips received
- 3,220: Number of arrests
- 3,562: Cases cleared
- 8,635: Charges laid
- $35,829,247: Value of property recovered
- 299: Weapons seized
- $112,492,084: Value of drugs seized
- $460,208: Rewards awarded
January is Crime Stoppers month, and the York Region program wishes to remind the public to call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit 1800222tips.com to submit an anonymous tip about a crime.
Crime Stoppers of York Region, which is an independent, not-for-profit community organization, collects information from tipsters and submits it to the police for investigation via a law enforcement liaison.
The group is particularly interested in hearing from citizens who have information about serious crime, including homicides and missing persons, assaults, robberies, break-ins, arson, theft, drugs, and damage to property.
Each caller is treated with respect and is ensured anonymity, the group says. After the information is received, the caller is given a personal code number that only they know. They are asked to call back in a few weeks and identify themselves by the special code number.
When an arrest is made, the tipster is eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.
The local Crime Stoppers board of directors meets once a month to review arrests made the previous month, review the facts, and decide on the amount of the reward.
The size of the reward varies depending on the severity of the crime, number of persons arrested, accuracy of the information provided, and how much further investigation was required, the group says.
It is up to the tipster to contact Crime Stoppers to find out how much their reward is and obtain instructions on how to pick up their money through any TD/Canada Trust location.
The board is made up of 15 volunteer members who live in York Region. It raises funds for the rewards through donations and at its annual Wayne Snooks golf tournament.
For more information on Crime Stoppers of York Region, visit here.
