Pubdate: Thu, 05 Apr 2007 Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON) Page: 1 Copyright: 2007 Osprey Media Group Inc Contact: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169 Author: Terri Saunders CRIME STOPPERS NEEDS FUNDING OR IT'S FINISHED: JOHANN Cornwall - If the city police can't find close to $12,000 a year for Crime Stoppers, the local agency may be forced to fold. In a letter addressed to Mayor Bob Kilger and delivered to the members of the Cornwall Community Police Service Board Wednesday, the police co-ordinator for the group asks for a yearly commitment of $11,411 to help offset the payroll costs of two part-time employees who man the Crime Stoppers phones eight hours a day, five days a week. "Without this funding, there will be no Crime Stoppers board in the Seaway Valley," said George Johann, police co-ordinator for Seaway Valley Crime Stoppers. "We need to have the community take ownership of this program." Johann said the group has relied heavily upon the sale of pull-tab tickets, commonly known as Nevadas, to fund their operations. "Years ago, that was enough; we made enough money off Nevadas to cover our costs," said Johann. "But these days, there are a lot more choices out there for people who want to buy these kinds of tickets and of course we have to give over much of the money we take in through prizes that are won." Johann said the group also has to remit a portion of the money they take in to the provincial government. "Last year, we had to give the government $14,000," said Johann. "That could have taken care of the costs we're asking the city police department to cover." Johann said the agency's co-ordinator is provided by the Ontario Provincial Police, a law enforcement agency which also provides office space and some office supplies. The group is now asking for the city police and the RCMP to each cover about 30 per cent of the annual operating costs. Although Johann said the anonymous nature of the program often prevents it from "blowing our own horn," he wanted to make sure the city police board was aware of the value of a continued partnership between Crime Stoppers and police agencies. Since its inception in 1992, Johann said, the agency has received 7,163 tips which have resulted in 1,398 crimes being solved. He said 2,306 charges have been laid and police have recovered $11.8 million in property and illicit drugs. "Just last month, a Crime Stoppers tip led to the Monkland marijuana indoor grow ($3.1 million in plants) and eight arrests," said Johann. "This had the potential to be the largest grow in Ontario ($3 million per month) but was nipped in the bud as a result of Crime Stoppers." Deputy Police Chief Danny Aikman told the board he would prepare a report about the partnership between the agencies and provide it to board members. The request is expected to be debated at the next board meeting. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom