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 - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens