Pubdate: Sun, 04 Mar 2012
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Jenn McGarrigle, Nanaimo News Bulletin

DOVER FIRST SCHOOL TO GET CRIME FIGHTING PROGRAM

Nanaimo and District Crime Stoppers is going into Dover Bay Secondary
School this month.

Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman and Crime Stoppers police
coordinator, said he will kick off the program by giving presentations
to each age group in the school.

Police were scheduled to talk to students about the program Wednesday
(March 7), but due to the teachers' strike, the launch will be
rescheduled to another day this month, he said.

The RCMP, working with school administrators, will promote Crime
Stoppers through posters around the school and posting 'Crimes of the
Week'.

"It's about making the school a safer place," said O'Brien. "Dover's
the first one and then we're just going to work south."

Last spring, Nanaimo school board asked school staff to help implement
the program in all secondary schools on the recommendation of the
district's anti-vandalism committee.

An attempt to get the anonymous tip program going in schools has long
been a goal of the volunteer organization - several years ago, the
group had a member talking with students at Nanaimo District Secondary
School, but the initiative stalled.

O'Brien said most internal thefts in high schools remain unresolved,
but he hopes advertising the Crime Stoppers program will change this -
he predicts that Crime Stoppers tips will increase by at least 10 per
cent once the program is implemented in all secondary schools.

"We've talked to enough kids to know that there's kids trafficking in
high schools," he said. "We know assaults go unreported. Well over 99
per cent of the kids in the school really want to make a difference.
They don't want to see dope in the locker next to them."

With Crime Stoppers, students can call in tips or post tips from their
laptops and help combat vandalism, bullying and other issues in and
around schools - or elsewhere - without giving their names.

The Nanaimo Crime Stoppers program is recognized as one of the most
effective and proactive in the province.

Since its inception in 1990, the Nanaimo program has received more
than 4,000 tips, which contributed to 430 arrests, the recovery of
more than $1 million in stolen goods and helped get nearly $9 million
worth of illegal drugs off the streets.

Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 1-800-222-8477 or online at
www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com . 
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.