Pubdate: Wed, 23 Apr 2003
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: Jana G. Pruden

DRUG LINE SPARKS TIPS

The lines are open and people are calling.

City police say a new drug tip line is getting a good response from 
Hatters, maybe even greater than what police expected.

"There's been more response than we expected, we were not sure exactly how 
it was going to work but we're certainly quite pleased with how it's 
progressing," said police spokesperson Const. Dellrae Sharpe.

The tip line is part of a police campaign to crack down on drug activity in 
the Hat.

The tip line is operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week and differs 
from Crime Stoppers in that the calls are answered by police instead of 
citizen volunteers.

If the caller's information helps police, Sharpe says the caller could 
qualify for a cash reward.

"It's working very well so far. They've been happy with the amount of calls 
received to date," she said, adding it's not known how long the phone line 
will remain in operation.

"We initiated the line to see what kind of response we get, and the number 
of calls we get will dictate how long it will be up and running."
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MAP posted-by: Alex