Pubdate: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 Source: Markham Economist & Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2005, Metroland Printing Contact: http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/markhameconomistandsun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2360 CRIMESTOPPERS WEBSITE EXPECTED TO HELP FIGHT CRIME A program that has enjoyed overwhelming success is promising even more after CrimeStoppers of York Region launched its website Thursday. Since CrimeStoppers York Region began collecting anonymous tips in 1986, almost 2,000 arrests have been made from information the non-profit organization has shared with police, almost $6 million in property has been recovered and close to $78 million in drugs seized. Offering rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest, CrimeStoppers has been authorized to pay out $177,250 in rewards to York Region tipsters, although only $79,150 has been collected. "Where else can you get a return on an investment like that?" Chief Armand La Barge asked. "CrimeStoppers is an incredibly successful program and an incredibly successful partnership." The success of the program has also led to a successful bid to host the 2006 Ontario CrimeStoppers annual training conference at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel from June 9 to 13, 2006. More than 500 delegates from the 39 CrimeStoppers programs across Ontario will come to York Region to take part in seminars on credit card fraud and skimming, drug houses, youth crime, insurance fraud and management for non-profit organizations. The conference will also give the local program a chance to showcase the new website and cutting edge online tip-reporting software. The website includes links to information about York Region's most wanted criminals, unsolved crimes and the CrimeStoppers program, plus the anonymous online reporting system CrimeStoppers police liaison Det. Const. Todd Snooks hopes will double the number of tips the civilian run organization receives. "It's a great program," Chief La Barge added. "We're hoping to attract more tips from youth. Nowadays, teenagers are on the computer more than the telephone. When they do use the phone it's a cellphone and you can get the CrimeStoppers website up on your Blackberry as well."