Crime Stoppers recovers $45M in stolen goods, drugs

Since its inception, Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers has recovered more than $45.2 million in stolen property and drugs.

More specifically, since 1987, Crime Stoppers has been responsible for police seizing 147 weapons, $34,282,183 in drugs and recovering $10,976,123 worth of property.

Crime Stoppers has received 23,952 tips since 1987, resulting in 3,071 arrests. Police have cleared 3,549 cases.

Perhaps more important to those who have or are willing to provide tips, Crime Stoppers has handed out 2,147 rewards, totalling $529,000.

January is Crime Stoppers Month, a time to recognize the accomplishments of a program that is now set up in more than 20 countries.

Crime Stoppers was founded on the simple principle that for every crime committed, someone other than the criminal has information that would solve the crime.

However, in many cases, people are hesitant to contact the police in fear of retaliation from the criminal. Furthermore, many may not come forward with information because they are uncertain about who to contact and what procedures to follow in supplying their information.

That's why Crime Stoppers guarantees anonymity to those who provide information, and providing information can be done on the phone, online or via text message.

It doesn't hurt that Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $2,000 for information to solve crimes that have already been committed, crimes about to occur, or for the whereabouts of narcotics, stolen property, wanted persons or missing persons.

Last year marked the 25th anniversary of Crime Stoppers. Today, there are more than 1,200 Crime Stoppers programs in the world, with about 100 of those programs being in Canada and 39 in Ontario alone.