Pubdate: Mon, 20 Jan 2003
Source: Sentinel Review (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Annex Publishing & Printing Inc.
Contact:  http://www.annexweb.com/sentinel
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2385
Author: Bill Scriven

A PHONE CALL HELPS FIGHT CRIME

To serve and protect.

Police battle criminals 24-7. It's a war that never ends. Many battles are 
won, some are lost.

One of the most effective ways in fighting crime is Crime Stoppers, the 
non-profit program that relies on the co-operation between the police, 
media and community to combat crime. January is Crime Stoppers Month. It is 
a program that places residents like you and I behind the badge simply by 
making a phone to police when we have information on criminal acts. As much 
success as police have in fighting crime, Crime Stoppers is a very 
beneficial program in that the community can provide pertinent information 
which can lead to arrests and convictions.

In 2002, more than 560 tips were called into Crime Stoppers of Haldimand, 
Norfolk and Tillsonburg resulting in 59 arrests, more than $215,000 worth 
of stolen property recovered and perhaps most impressive, more than $8.5 
million worth of illegal drugs removed from the street. The shutdown of 
numerous illegal "grow houses'' accounted for a bulk of the increase in 
recovered drugs. Oxford County was also the site of a countless number of 
grow houses shut down last year - many closures taking place after 
neighbours called Crime Stoppers.

The Oxford County detachment of the OPP says an estimated 98 per cent of 
grow houses are based in newer homes in which "sophisticated and structural 
changes can be made in order to supply light, water and ventilation to 
plants.''

Crime Stoppers works. A phone call is all it takes (1-800-222-TIPS). All 
callers remain anonymous and tips can earn cash awards of $1,000.

- - Bill Scriven
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens